Do you like trivia? Want to impress your friends with new facts?

Fri, 06/23/2006 - 12:44pm by emilyas

Well check out the many interesting fact books that the New York Public Library has published! To start off we have the fascinating series of New York Public Library answer books for kids. This series includes books such as The New York Public Library amazing African American history : a book of answers for kids and also Amazing women in American history : a book of answers for kids. Other books in the series provide answers about Space, Hispanic American History, Native American History, and Mythology.

Are you an adult? Do not be dismayed! This wisdom isn't only available for kids. The New York Public Library also published interesting materials for adults, such as The New York Public Library book of twentieth-century American quotations and The New York Public Library literature companion.

My absolute favorite of these books, (especially if you are someone who likes to be prepared for the next game of Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy), has to be The book of answers : the New York Public Library Telephone Reference Service's most unusual and entertaining questions. And take a look at the recent New York Times article about the librarians who answer these telephone reference questions!

So take a look at these exciting books and impress your friends and colleagues with interesting facts you learned from the New York Public Library, without ever having to leave Ann Arbor!

Lists Lead to Summer Reading

Wed, 06/14/2006 - 5:02pm by Eartoground

For help putting together your own personal best 2006 Summer Beach Reading List, here's an option: Click the Research tab above, choose AADL Select Sites on the left, then pick Books and Reading. Presto - lots of links to lists of books you very well may want to read this summer. Use these lists to make your own list. Remember, if you check these books out from the library, you can set up your account to keep track of your personal reading history. Very easy, very fun, very likely to keep you making more lists and reading more books in our Summer Reading program, which starts June 19.

Are you ready for some football?

Tue, 06/13/2006 - 1:49pm by jillean

We're not talking pigskin folks. That's right, the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany is well underway. Not quite sure about the rules of the game? Ever wonder why soccer is such a popular sport around the world? Maybe these titles can offer insight:
The Simplest Game: The Intelligent Fan's Guide to the World of Soccer
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer
The Grass of Another Country: A Journey Through the World of Soccer
Soccer Fundamentals

If you'd rather get in the spirit of the game and find out about last year's world champions, check out this biography of Brazilian soccer by Geoffrey Douglas, The Game of Their Lives.

So, who are you rooting for?

Furnace Glass Blowing with Annette Baron

Mon, 06/05/2006 - 10:31am by kcrj49

Thursday, June 8, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room

Come learn how local artist and instructor Annette Baron transforms molten glass into works of art. Ms. Baron's talk will cover the process of furnace glass blowing, how she built Baron Glassworks in Ypsilanti, and outstanding examples of her students work. And don't miss the exhibit of her astonishingly beautiful glass art now on display in the Downtown Library's lower level display cases.

The Dragon King of Hogwarts

Sat, 05/27/2006 - 2:34pm by sstonez

It's true--a recently discovered dinosaur fossil in South Dakota has been named Dracorex hogwartsia after the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In case you've been hiding in a cave for the past ten years, Hogwarts' most famous student is young . Dracorex hogwartsia earned its name because the dinosaur's flattened head looks a lot like a dragon, and dragons play an important role at Hogwarts. (Their Latin motto, in fact, translates to "a sleeping dragon must never be tickled.") Read more about the dragonlike pachycephalosaur or go see it the next time you are in Indianapolis.

Jesse Owens Remembered

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 1:31pm by Maxine

On May 25, 1935, Jesse Owens set three world records and tied a fourth. Representing Ohio State at the Big Ten track and field event at the University of Michigan, despite an ailing back, Owens tied the world record in the 100 yard dash and set the record in the broad jump, the 220 yard dash and 220 yard low hurdles. This was the first time anyone had ever set three world records and broke a fourth Jesse was born in 1913, the son of a sharecropper, and grew up in Cleveland. He began competing in track and field in high school. His second claim to fame was winning four gold metals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Nazi Germany. Owens went on to become an accomplished speaker and supported athletic programs for underprivileged youth.

Michigan Field Guides

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 1:00pm by Van

With Memorial Day and summer vacations just ahead, these field guides will enrich your hikes, bike rides, and camping trips.

Birds: National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: Michigan
Mammals: Mammals of Michigan Field Guide by Stan Tekiela
Reptiles and Amphibians:
Reptiles and Amphibians of Michigan Field Guide by Stan Tekiela
Michigan Turtles and Lizards by James H. Harding and J. Alan Holman
Michigan Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders by James H. Harding and J. Alan Holman
Michigan Snakes by J. Alan Holman
Insects: Insects of the Great Lakes Region by Gary A. Dunn
Butterflies: Michigan Butterflies and Skippers by Mogens C. Nielsen
Butterflies of Michigan Field Guide by Jaret C. Daniels
Fish: Fishes of the Great Lake Region by Carl L. Hubbs
Trees: Michigan Trees by Burton V. Barnes and Warren H. Wagner
Trees of Michigan by Linda Kershaw
Wild Flowers: Michigan Wildflowers in Color by Harry C. Lund
Wildflowers of Michigan Field Guide by Stan Tekiela
Stars: Michigan Starwatch by Mike Lynch

It's All Write 2006 Short Story Judges

Wed, 05/24/2006 - 3:51pm by Bertha

Thanks to the following judges of the teen's short story writing contest for area Teens! We appreciate their expertise and careful considerations of each story.
Middle School:
CHRIS HEBERT- Fiction Editor at the University of Michigan Press (previous Hopwood Winner)
AMY SUMERTON - Serves as executive editor of 'Orchid Literary Review' for three years. Her fiction can most recently be found in Red Cedar Review. She plays cello in a local band called Canada. Amy currently makes a living as assistant director for 826 Michigan, a nonprofit writing center designed to help students aged 6-18 develop their writing skills.
LARA M. ZIELIN - Author of Make Things Happen Networking for Teens and she edits the alumni publication at the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Language and the Arts.

High School:
MARGARET LAZARUS DEAN - Teaches at U of M's MFA program and has a novel coming out this fall. (previous Hopwood Winner)
LAURA KASISCHKE - Teaches at U of M's MFA program and is the author of several books of poetry and the novel Life Before Her Eyes (previous Hopwood Winner)
PATRICK O'KEEFFE - Currently a lecturer at University of Michigan, and is the 2005 Winner of the prestigious 'story prize' Award for Hill Road four long stories set in Ireland. (previous Hopwood Winner)

Calling All Donutheads!

Wed, 05/10/2006 - 1:54pm by kidlit

"My name, if you must know, is Franklin Delano Donuthead. Try saying that in a room full of fifth graders if you think names will never hurt you."

So starts the story of Donuthead by Sue Stauffacher. In the opinion of this youth services librarian, it is one of the best children's books currently in publication. Other titles by this author are Harry Sue and Bessie Smith and the Night Riders.

Sue Stauffacher will be in town for the Ann Arbor Book Festival this weekend. Her first appearance will be Friday, May 12, 2006 at the Malletts Creek Branch at 4:00 p.m. She will read from her works and talk about her life and her books.

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to meet a popular writer.

Han Shoots First!

Tue, 05/09/2006 - 11:28pm by Edith Wharton

It appears that LucasArts has finally given in to fan demands and promised to release the original Star Wars trilogy in all its unaltered glory. I am glad the greed finally won out over Lucas's strange need to tinker..