Blog Post
Minecraft: Ann Arbor
by hillary dorwart
Saturday May 26, 2012: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Training Center
Join in celebrating the launch of Minecraft@AADL! We are hosting our own Minecraft server and we need you to help us build it. Be one of the first to lay the virtual bricks for this cool addition to your Library! Minecraft is a game about placing blocks to build anything you can imagine!
This event is for teens (grade 6 and up) and adults.
Blog Post
Documentary Filmmaker, Digital Historian And Archive Team Founder Jason Scott Discusses Preservation Activism
by hillary dorwart
Wednesday May 23, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
There's a lot of information floating around on the Web - can it be saved from distinction and obscurity? Discover how digital information is preserved and archived when Jason Scott visits the AADL. Jason is the founder of the Archive Team, a loose collective of rogue archivists, programmers, writers and loudmouths dedicated to saving our digital heritage.
At this special event, Jason will discuss the Archive Team's efforts to preserve early Internet content from extinction. He will also screen and discuss a lost episode from his 2010 film Get Lamp: The Text Adventure Documentary.
Blog Post
Geek Academy: SCRATCH DAY!!! And Contest
by hillary dorwart
Saturday May 19, 2012: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Training Center
It's Scratch Day @ AADL! Ready for some friendly competition? Fine tune your Scratch lab project here at the AADL or get your home-made project working on an official contest computer. Please note that all entries must be turned in and functioning by 3:00 PM for evaluation and judging.
Later in the afternoon, there will be an award ceremony followed by a most elegant pizza dinner where you can dine and talk geek!
This event is for adults and teens (grade 6 and up).
Blog Post
Ann Arbor Mini Maker Faire: Call for contributors!
by OneillT
We are excited to announce the Call for Makers for the 4th Ann Arbor “Mini” Maker Faire, to be held Saturday June 2, 2012, at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Faire features exhibits and activities in robots, green tech, science, radio, rocketry, unusual tools/techniques, fixing and/or taking things apart, and other areas, all with an emphasis on “do it yourself.” Last year’s Faire drew over 1,400 people to engage in activities such as learning to solder and silk screening t-shirts, and saw exhibits such as hearing the neural activity of a cockroach leg, a giant “Simon Says” game, a DIY satellite to test an ion engine in space, pop-up books with a master of paper folding, gigantic vortex cannon, robots galore, computer vision, and much more.
Apply now to be an exhibitor! Additional information and an online application form are at http://www.a2makerfaire.com. The application deadline is May 13, 2012.
The Faire is free to exhibitors and visitors alike. It is organized by the group a2 geeks (http://www.a2geeks.org), a newly organized Ann Arbor area non-profit foundation promoting the informal technology culture in the greater Ann Arbor area. The Faire is a local, community version of the major Maker Faires in the Bay area and in New York City.
The mission of the Ann Arbor Mini Maker Faire is to present interesting or unique exhibits, individuals, and demonstrations in DIY science, technology, engineering, and art that excite, motivate, and educate. The emphasis is on cool things, skills, and knowledge. As a shorthand, the exhibits should be the kind of thing you’d see in Make Magazine.
Blog Post
Fitness Resources on the Web
by Caser
Do you enjoy swimming, biking, running, or other fitness activities? Learn about online resources for training, racing, and athlete communities at Fitness Resources on the Web.
As temperatures continue to rise, so will the number of people out exercising. If you're looking for ways to track your fitness progress, find a good running or biking route, find a race to try, or meet up with other people in our community that enjoy the same activities that you do, then come to the computer class, Fitness Resources on the Web, on Tuesday, April 3 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Traverwood Branch library.
Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Classrooms will open 15 minutes before the class start times. Class handouts are here.
Blog Post
Podcasting: 101
by hillary dorwart
Saturday March 24, 2012: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Training Center
Do you like to listen to/watch podcasts? Want to know how they're made? More importantly do you want to know how to make your own?
One of AADL's podcast producers presents this basic workshop on what it takes to produce your very own audio or video podcast. Listen to aadl.org podcasts and AADL's comic podcasts.
This workshop is for teens (grade 9 and up) and adults.
Blog Post
Computer Database
by manz
Use the Computer Database to find technology articles on topics such as telecommunications, computer software and hardware, business and industry, and consumer advice on technological products. This database contains articles, including peer-reviewed, full text, and those with images, that have been published from 1980 to present.
The database is fully searchable by subject, and you can also search for specific publications.
Popular search topics include viruses, hacking, spam, and electronics.
Access to this database is available at every branch of the AADL, as well as from outside the library with a valid AADL library card, or since this is a MeL Database, a Michigan driver's license number can be used instead.
For L-card holder access from an outside location, please sign in to your library account, visit our reference database page, and navigate to the desired resource. To access the Computer Database, go to the research page, and choose to Browse by Name A-Z: A-C, and click on Computer Database. Michigan residents without a valid library card can gain access to this and the many other MeL databases by visiting MeL.org and entering your driver's license number.
Blog Post
Wednesday: 3D Printing at Workantile!
by OneillT
Wednesday, February 7, Workantile will be offering a two hour design/manufacture how-to for 3D Printing. You'll be able to see how it works, learn how, and walk out with your own design in the same night! The class will be taught by David Erik Nelson, author of Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred: Seriously Geeky Stuff to Make With Your Kids, and the world-traveling Maker vagabonds Bilal and Alex. The group will be making iPhone cases, belt buckles, jewelry--or whatever else you can design together. Just bring an idea and a laptop and you're all set.
Interested? More information can be found here.
or by emailing Dave at dave@davidericknelson.com
Happy Making!
Blog Post
Learn @ AADL
by Stewart
You can pick up a new class brochure at any library location or review the schedule online.
Tuesday February 7, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Downtown Library - New Class! Wall Street Demystified: If you've ever wanted to get a clear picture of your investments and qualified unbiased advice, take this class! Get independent and trusted stock and mutual fund analysis, research and ratings. Morningstar experts will be on hand.
Wednesday February 8, 7 - 9 pm, Downtown Library - eMedia: Learn how to download eMedia at aadl.org. Download audiobooks using Overdrive, eBooks using Adobe Digital Editions or Mobipocket, and MP3 songs using Magnatune.
Registration is not required. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. See you in class!
Blog Post
Photoshop Elements Class
by Stewart
Tuesday December 20, 2011: 1 to 3 pm, Downtown Library Mac Lab
We'll help you edit digital photos using automatic enhancements, selection tools and filters. (PC user? We'll review the key differences between PC and Mac keyboard commands.)
Computer class brochures are available at any library location and online. Registration is not required. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and the rooms will open 15 minutes before the class begins.