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.

Bingo

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

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.

Rosey Grier

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.

FDR Knitting

Cary Grant Knitting

amigurumi

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

Tuesday, January 26, at 7 p.m. at the Pittsfield Branch, Susan Filipiak, director of Swing City Dance Studio will be teaching basic fundamentals of swing dancing. If you remember the jitterbug and want to brush up on your skills or are starting from scratch, this class is for you. No partner is needed. So get your feet moving and cut a rug.

Here's to a loud and festive New Year's Eve! We're having a craft program at the Pittsfield Branch on Tuesday, December 29 from 2 - 3 p.m. We will make crazy hats: cone hats, newspaper hats, and crowns. Choose the hat you want to make and then decorate it. We'll also be making noisemakers from plastic cups and beads. All supplies will be provided. This is for children preschool through 5th grade.

Pittsfield Branch | Tuesday, December 29 | 2 - 3 p.m

Alia Malek

Join us Saturday December 12 at 1:00 at our Pittsfield Branch when Alia Malek is here to read from her new book A Country Called Amreeka. Ms. Malek weaves stories of the Arab-American experience into the larger fabric of America in ways that give insight as to what it is like to be an Arab-American today. This event includes a book signing & her book will be for sale, too.

rockwell

Join us at the Pittsfield Branch on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 from 2:00-3:30 p.m to make beautiful accent pieces for your holiday table. We will be making turkeys out of toilet paper rolls, napkin rings out of toilet paper rolls or placemats out of pieces of paper. What a festive presentation these things will make!
This program is for preschoolers through grade 5. All supplies will be provided.

Time Warp Tales

If you have never treated the kids to a mini story festival at your local library, now is your chance. A colorful line-up of tales and tellers from the Ann Arbor Storyteller’s Guild will entertain this Sunday at 2:00 pm at the Pittsfield Branch Library for Tellebration. All kids ages 4 and up are invited!