Washtenaw County Survey on Computer Ownership & Use

Wed, 08/22/2007 - 11:07am by lunchgroup

The Digital Inclusion Taskforce, part of Wireless Washtenaw, is currently gathering information on computer ownership and use in Washtenaw County via this short survey through Saturday, September 15. Providing your name and contact information is optional. The Digital Inclusion Taskforce will use this information as the work on Wireless Washtenaw progresses to explore and plan for ways in which Washtenaw County residents can best take advantage of free or lower-cost wireless service, and appreciate the feedback you are providing by taking the survey.

Take a Look at These!

Mon, 08/13/2007 - 4:23pm by kidlit

As a member of the 2007 Mitten Award committee, I've been going through a lot of new children's books this summer. Choosing the best book of the year is always a hard task. There are so many good titles out there.
Here are a few new ones that I've come across that I've liked. See what you think.

. Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals. The illustrations in this one are amazing. Big, bold flowing colors.
. Hey, Batta Batta Swing! Illus. by Ross MacDonald. This is a history of baseball that's fun for both fans and non-fans.
. That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown. Illus. by Neal Layton. Emily loves her stuffed rabbit Stanley but the Queen wants it and sends the Army, Navy and Air Force to get it. Oh, dear.
. Casey Back at Bat. Paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. We all know that Casey struck out at Mudville. But what happens the next time he's up to bat?
. Dogs and Cats. This is really two books in one. You have to turn the book upside down when you get halfway through it. The dogs and cats meet in the middle of the book . . . "Friends or enemies?"
. The End. Illustrated by Richard Egielski. You have to love a story that starts out "And they lived happily ever after." Well, they lived happily because . . .

Stargazers, get ready!

Sat, 08/11/2007 - 3:30pm by manz

The annual Perseid meteor shower peaks in mid-August with many shooting stars visible each hour. The night of August 12 through dawn of August 13, with a new moon- meaning no moonlight, will be one of the best nights for viewing. Since the shooting stars will seem to be emanating from the constellation Perseus, why not beef up your stargazing skills with a few star maps to make sure you're looking in the right spot. Check these out: Simple stargazing : a first-time skywatcher's guide, Atlas of the night sky, A walk through the heavens : a guide to stars and constellations and their legends, Star maps for beginners, Peterson first guide to astronomy. So grab your blanket and find a good spot to watch the sky!

More new Arabic books!

Fri, 08/10/2007 - 2:20pm by Tara LS

Here is a selection of new Arabic books at the library. Use the links below to reserve a book or browse the shelves at each branch looking for the "NEW" stickers on each book. The selection is different from branch to branch. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about Arabic books at the library, e-mail stantont@aadl.org. Enjoy!

حالة حصار / Ḥālat ḥiṣār by محمود درويش / Maḥmūd Darwīsh
آداب الزفاف في السنة المطهرة / Adāb al-zafāf fī al-sunnah al-muṭahharah
by محمد ناصر الدين الألباني / Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī
عاشقة فى محبرة / ʻĀshiqah fī miḥbarah by غادة السمان / Ghādah al-Sammān
الباذنجانة الزرقاء / al-Bādhinjānah al-zarqāʼ by ميرال الطحاوي / Mīrāl al-Ṭaḥāwī
حكاية حب / Ḥikāyat ḥubb by غازي عبد الرحمن القصيبي / Ghāzī ʻAbd al-Raḥmān al-Quṣaybī

New Arabic books at the library

Fri, 08/10/2007 - 1:46pm by Tara LS

Here is a selection of new adult Arabic books at the library. Use the links below to reserve a book or browse the shelves at each branch looking for the "NEW" stickers on each book. The selection is different from branch to branch. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about Arabic books at the library, e-mail stantont@aadl.org. Enjoy!

خارج المكان / Kharij al-makaan
Edward Said's biography "Out of Place" translated into Arabic.
طيور الجنوب / Tuyur al janub
"Birds of the South", by Amani Abu al Fadl, a prize winning book about the difficulties of the lives of Arabs in the diaspora after 9/11.
تسكع داخل جرح / Tasakkuʻ dākhil jurh by غادة السمان / Ghada al Samman
جدارية محمود درويش / Jidārīyat Maḥmūd Darwīsh
اجملهن: رواية / Ajmalahunna: riwāyah by عبد السلام العجيلي / Abd al-Salām al-ʻUjaylī
العدامة / al-ʻAdāmah by تركي الحمد / Turkī al-Ḥamad
المدينة الملونة / al-Madīnah al-mulawwanah by حليم بركات / Halim Barakat

More new Spanish adult books!

Fri, 08/10/2007 - 12:10pm by Tara LS

Here is a selection of new adult Spanish books at the library. Use the links below to reserve a book or browse the shelves at each branch looking for the "NEW" stickers on each book. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about Spanish books at the library, e-mail stantont@aadl.org. Enjoy!
Su mejor vida ahora: siete pasos para vivir a su máximo potencial
Spanish translation of "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential" by pastor Joel Osteen.
Una vida con propósito : para qué estoy aquí en la tierra?
Spanish translation of "The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?" by the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in California, Rick Warren.
La audacia de la esperanza/The audacity of hope por Barack Obama
Spanish translation of the #1 New York Times Bestseller by U.S. presidential candidate and Illinois senator Barack Obama

New Spanish books for adults!

Fri, 08/10/2007 - 11:28am by Tara LS

Here is a selection of new adult Spanish books at the library. Use the links below to reserve a book or browse the shelves at each branch looking for the "NEW" stickers on each book. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about Spanish books at the library, e-mail stantont@aadl.org. Enjoy!
La fortuna de Matilda Turpin por Álvaro Pombo
Winner of the 2006 Premio Planeta, Alvaro Pombo's novel is a forceful novel about dealing with loss, grief and family. The main character, Juan Campos, a retired philosophy professor, deals with the mixed legacy of his late wife, Matilda Turpin, a spirited businesswoman who died suddenly, leaving behind three children and Antonio and Emilia, a couple who has been the family's servants and friends for decades.
La dama azul por Javier Sierra
A historical novel, researched for 7 years and based on factual evidence and historical documents, set in the 17th century in the Rio Grande area of New Mexico which deals with ecclesiastical intrigue, secret societies, and a mysterious murder, this book is reminiscent of the Da Vinci Code and is one of the many popular Spanish language historical novels.
Lo que le falta al tiempo
A novel by Columbian author, Angela Becerra, set in the art world of Paris, where a centuries-old secret society is searching for a mysterious treasure of inestimable worth. Criticas Magazine, says the book is similar to the Da Vinci Code (like "La Dama Azul") at its simplest level, but distinguishes itself with complexity of character and story as well as its depth and eloquent prose containing several climaxes and denouements.

More new German books for adults at the library

Fri, 08/10/2007 - 10:59am by Tara LS

Here are more new adult German books at the library. Use the links below to reserve a book or browse the shelves at each branch looking for the "NEW" stickers on each book. The selection is different at each branch. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about German books at the library, e-mail stantont@aadl.org. Enjoy!

Militärmusik by Wladimir Kaminer
Macht nichts: eine kleine Trilogie des Todes by Elfriede Jelinek
Vergangenheitsschuld und gegenwärtiges Recht by Bernhard Schlink
Mein liebster Feind : Essays, Reden, Miniaturen by Robert Schindel
Nachtrandspuren: Gedichte by Jose F.A. Oliver
Der Hof im Spiegel: Erzählungen by Emine Sevgi Özdamar
Mozarts Friseur by Wolf Wondratschek
Er oder Ich by Sten Nadolny

New Adult German Books

Fri, 08/10/2007 - 10:56am by Tara LS

There are a selection of new German books for adults at every branch of the library. Use the links below to reserve a book or browse the shelves at each branch looking for the "NEW" stickers on each book. The selection is different at each branch. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about German books at the library, e-mail stantont@aadl.org. Enjoy!

Der Geliebte der Mutter by Urs Widmer
Miemandsland by Utta Danella
Fünf-Sterne-Kerle inklusive by Gaby Hauptmann
Hereroby Gerhard Seyfried
Nero Corleone: eine Katzengeschichte by Elke Heidenreich
Die Entdeckung der Langsamkeit by Sten Nadolny
Das Unerfreuliche zuerst by Sibylle Berg

2nd Annual LEGO Contest Winners!

Thu, 08/09/2007 - 7:09pm by erin

The 2nd Annual LEGO contest was yet again a blast! We had 110 entries in five categories: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12. Entries ranged from a "Lego Cafe" where you can get ice cream sandwiches, to two fire breathing dragons, to sunken treasure ships and Star Wars episodes with a fan-fiction story to go along... Families and friends packed the room and waited with baited breath for the winners to be announced! And the winners are: