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Beginning Genealogy

by flora

Ever wondered about your family history? Find out about the many genealogical resources available and how to use them this Thursday, May 12, at the Genealogy for Beginners class. This class will be held at the Pittsfield Branch of AADL, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Our staff will show how to use several genealogy databases and databases, including Ancestry and HeritageQuest, provide tips for getting started, and answer your beginning genealogy questions. If you have never conducted genealogical research before and want to know how to get started, then this is the class for you.

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Michigan Reads Author Coming to Pittsfield Branch!

by kidlit

Michigan Reads is a one state, one children's book program that "highlights the importance of early literacy by focusing on a picture book by a Michigan author."

The Ann Arbor District Library is thrilled to be hosting the author of the 2009 Michigan Reads title, The Pout-Pout Fish. Deborah Diesen will be coming to the Pittsfield Branch at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. She will feature The Pout-Pout Fish as well as her new title, Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade. This will be a great program for the whole family.

Past Michigan Reads titles are Barnyard Song written by Rhonda Gowler Greene and illustrated by Robert Bender, Bed Hogs written by Kelly S. DiPucchio and illustrated by Howard Fine, Big Chickens written by Leslie Helakoski and illustrated by Henry Cole and Raccoon Tune written by Ann Arbor author Nancy Shaw and illustrated by Howard Fine.

Books will be on sale at the program, courtesy of Nicola's Books, and the author will be available for signing.

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Make a Mother's Day Card and Flower!

by kidlit

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9th. That's coming up very soon. But there is still time to create something very special for Mom. So all you dads of kids from preschool through grade 5 bring the kids to the Pittsfield Branch on Saturday, May 1 at 11:00 a.m. We'll provide the supplies and directions for making beautiful cards and large tissue paper flowers. Mom will be thrilled with the children's masterpieces.

The Library has one title about Mother's Day crafts. But I have found that the more plentiful Valentine's Day craft books work well with just a change of text. Here is a good online site, too.

Remember that President Obama will be town that morning so you might have to figure out some creative routes to the Pittsfield Branch Library if you're coming from the downtown area.

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Ellie McDoodle Author Coming to Ann Arbor!

by kidlit

Ruth McNally Barshaw, author of Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen Will Travel and Ellie McDoodle: New Kid in School will be at the Pittsfield Branch on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Ellie is an eleven-year-old girl who keeps a sketch journal about her family, her school, and her life. Reading these books is like getting into Ellie's personal diary. Her whole life is laid out in sketches and words. Come hear the author tell about how Ellie came to be and how these books are made; maybe you'll want to start telling your own life's story in words and pictures.

This program is for kids K - 5 and their adults. Books will be on sale at the program and the author will be available for signing.

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Quack! Quack! Quack!

by kidlit

It is duck week at the Pittsfield Branch. Ducks of all sizes and colors will be around for the Babies' Playgroup at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday and the preschool storytimes at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and 10:00 a.m. on Friday. Do ducks wear socks? Can ducks ride bicycles? Ever been on a duck hunt? Come and quack with us.

Directions for making a duck out of a paper plate can be found here.

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Let's Do Spring!

by kidlit

Folks are still saying that here in Michigan we have often had spectacular snowstorms in March. But at the Pittsfield Branch our preschool storytimes are charging into Spring with no regard of what happens outside.
We have our storytimes on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Each storytime features live music by one of our talented musicians as well as an easy craft related to the week's theme.
This week's stories will feature some puddle stomping by a father, a son and a big dog as well as an exuberant cat that sings and dances.

If your kids love to do the crafts, check out this website. It has ideas for all occasions and links to other crafty sites.

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Book Bingo!

by kidlit

B-25! That's Bingo. We'll be playing bingo and giving away lots of books as prizes. It's a great way to spend a winter afternoon so come over and join us for this fun game.

Thursday, February 25th | 2:00-3:00 p.m. | Pittsfield Branch

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January's Sparrow by Michigan author Patricia Polacco

by kidlit

Join us for a Black History Month program at the Pittsfield Branch on Wednesday, February 24 from 2 - 3 p.m. We will feature Patricia Polacco's new book, January's Sparrow, which tells the story of a slave family's journey through the Underground Railroad from Kentucky to Michigan. Then weave a paper kente cloth using the bright colors of the historical fabrics. This is for children grades K - 5.

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The Rugged Manly Art of Knitting: Some titles you may not know about.

by DavidQ

Wonder of wonders, you can still get Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men on MelCat. For those of us in the boy knitting community, this is an iconic title, but I figured it had been banished to the realm of triumphant find on eBay or the local rummage sale.

Fortunately, others have picked up the mantle of fiber arts books for men. Knitting with Balls is all about men who knit and even gives some of the history of men knitting. Sailors and soldiers once had to learn how to knit just to make things like nets and socks.

The current grand dame of knitting herself Debbie Stoller even got on the bandwagon and wrote Son of Stitch and Bitch.

On February 21st, we will host The Rugged Manly Art of Knitting at the Pittsfield Branch Library from 2 to 3:30. Men of all experience levels are welcome. We will provide yarn and needles, and a couple of the guys on staff will be there to show you simple projects. I've put the word out in the knitting community here in Ann Arbor, and I think some experience knitting guys will also emerge from their yarn stashes and show up for knitting fun. It should be a good time. And for further proof of the legacy of men's knitting, here are pictures of Franklin Roosevelt and Cary Grant knitting.

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Amigurumi Crochet Happy Fun!

by erin

Sunday January 31, 1:00-4:00 PM -- Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

Looking for a seriously fun and unique new craft obsession? Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed toys. Whether you're a beginner or have plenty of experience at amigurumi, join us and learn how to make your own deliciously cute amigurumi cupcake, creature or mushroom. We'll have our "crochet cam" set-up to make instruction easier and projected on the big wall!

This event is for Teens in grade 6 & up and Adults. Registration is not required and this program is free of charge. All supplies will be provided