Panel Discussion: From the Farm to Your Fork – Why Local Food Can Make Us Healthier, Happier and More Secure

This event was held on February 18, 2008 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:32:17)

Food is powerful! We need to eat every single day and the choices that we make determine how our world is used. Among the most powerful things we can do to create a secure community and a healthy family is to eat and buy locally grown and produced food. This event spotlights our community, and features local farmers Annie Elder and Paul Bantle, chef Alex Young (chef and co-owner of Zingerman's Roadhouse), dietician Ruth Blackburn, and UM research scientist Dr. Catherine Badgley.

This program is cosponsored by Slow Food Huron Valley, an organization that identifies culinary artisans and local producers who engage in sustainable agriculture and are committed to the viability of the land.

The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair: How The 2006 Artists Were Selected

This event was held on June 28, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:27:53)

Each year the Street Art Fair (the Original art fair in Ann Arbor) receives a thousand or more applications from artists across the country. How are these entries winnowed down to fill the 175 spaces at the Fair? Find out at this special event with Festival Executive Director Shary Brown and jurors Julia Gleich, Jill Ault, and Tom Venner. They will discuss and demonstrate a new technology process, zapplication, used to select this year's artists. Through the keen eye of excellent jurors, and with the help of AADL's techno-experts, the artists' works were viewed earlier this year and selected for the upcoming 2006 Art Fair. See a mock jury and get a sneak peek at the work of some of the artists who will be participating in the 2006 Street Art Fair, cosponsors of this event.

The Fair uses the newest process, zapplication, which allows artists to register on-line and send digital images of their artwork to the jury instead of the previous method--old 35mm slides. The Street Art Fair partners with the Library for this process (AADL techno-staff equip jurors with the necessary computers to access the images) and the several-day jurying process results in a spectacular selection of award-winning artists from across the country.

Dr. Robert Bartlett, Surgeon and Inventor: Reflections On A Life In Medicine

This event was held on October 26, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:05:05)

Ann Arbor's own Dr. Robert Bartlett will reflect on his amazing career as a doctor, inventor and, most recently, a writer of fiction. For many years, Dr. Bartlett was professor of surgery at the U-M Medical School, director of critical care/general surgery, and director of surgical intensive care at the U-M Health System. One of his greatest achievements, however, is as a pioneer in the development of prolonged extracorporeal circulation, including development of the technique for respiratory failure in newborn infants and children. His most recent role is of author, and he has penned a new work of fiction entitled 'Salem Syndrome: A Novel of Medicine and Law.'

Bartlett led the development of ECMO, an artificial lung that can oxygenate the blood of those who have experienced acute heart or lung failure. In 1975, Dr. Bartlett used the then little known device to successfully treat a newborn infant with respiratory failure. Since then, ECMO has helped to save the lives of literally tens of thousands of patients.

Dr. Bartlett is also one of a team of four that launched the University of Michigan Health System's Breast Care Center in 1984. He also developed the field of critical care medicine at Michigan, and was director of the internationally recognized Surgical Intensive Care unit for 25 years.

He is a recipient of the Medal of Special Recognition from the National Academy of Surgery of France, the McGraw Medal of the Detroit Surgical Association, and the Medallion for Scientific Achievement from the American Surgical Association.

Bartlett also was the recipient of the Jacobson Innovation Award of the American College of Surgeons for the year 2003, in honor of his work in the development and establishment of the first ECMO program. He is the author of more than 450 articles, monographs, chapters and books.

Bright Nights Community Forum: Understanding Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adults

This event was held on November 13, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:21:06)

A chronic illness with unstable and unpredictable moods, bipolar disorder can be devastating for individuals and families. Learn about the latest research advances in this illness when Melvin McInnis, MD, FRCPsych, Thomas B. and Nancy Upjohn Woodworth Professor of Bipolar Disorder and Depression from the UM Depression Center, will lead a panel discussion with specialists, with a presentation by David Rosenberg, MD, a specialist in pediatric bipolar disorder and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Chair of Child Psychiatry, Wayne State University. Other panelists include Neera Ghaziuddin, MD, Asst. Professor of Psychiatry and Vivien Hsu, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker, both of the Center, and Rich Dopp, MD, Clinical Lecturer, UM Department of Psychiatry and Depression Center. Cosponsored by the UM Depression Center The Bright Nights Community Forums are open to the public and there is no charge for attendance. For more information on the UM Depression Center, please visit the Depression Center website at www.depressioncenter.org, or contact Trish Meyer, 763-7495, or meyerpa@umich.edu.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder With Experts From the University of Michigan

This event was held on March 29, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:28:08)

Bipolar disorder can be a devastating illness, for both individuals and families. It is a chronic illness with unstable and unpredictable moods. However, the positive news is that bipolar disorder is treatable, and new research advances are underway. Dr. Melvin McInnis, a specialist in bipolar disorders from the UM Depression Center, will present a brief overview of the illness from a clinical and genetic perspective. A panel discussion will follow, with specialists Drs. Jon-Kar Zubieta, Cheryl King, and Juan Lopez from the Depression Center. They will be joined by Kathy Schoof, Clinical Social Worker in Psychiatry at the UM Depression Center, and Dr. Shabnum Sheikh from St. Joseph Mercy Behavioral Services. All panelists will be available for questions.

The 2006 Read encourages individuals to explore Revolutions in Science -- the people, theories, explanations and discoveries that challenged our thinking and changed the world -- by promoting civic dialogue through the shared experience of one book. A selection committee of community representatives, students and educators in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area chose Jonathan Weiner's The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time as the focus of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2006. Copies of the book are available at all Ann Arbor District Library sites and at area bookstores. For more information on Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads events, visit the website aareads.org.

Bright Nights Community Forum with UM Depression Center: Anxiety Disorders: Panic and Phobias

This event was held on September 25, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:25:58)

About 40 million adults in America suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety can become debilitating when it is excessive and irrational and when it leads to overly restrictive avoidance of things we really need to be able to do. James Abelson, MD, PhD, a professor in the UM Dept. of Psychiatry and Director of the Depression Center's Anxiety Disorders Program, will present a brief overview of research findings on panic, anxiety, and phobias and their connections to depression. This will be followed by questions from the audience with a panel discussion including Joe Himle, PhD, MSW, Assoc. Director of the Anxiety Disorders Program, Pam Schweitzer, RN, NP, MS, a psychiatric nurse practitioner in the Anxiety Disorders Program, and Laura Nisenson, PhD, a Licensed Psychologist in private practice in Ann Arbor. This event is scheduled to be broadcast live on Community Television Network, Channel 18.

Effective treatments for anxiety attacks, including medications and specific types of psychotherapy, are available. However, many sufferers do not receive the most effective available treatments. Anxiety disorders very frequently co-occur with depression, and the anxiety often cannot be successfully treated unless the depression is treated as well. Fortunately, there are now medications that can simultaneously treat both anxiety and depression. For more information on the UM Depression Center, please visit the Depression Center website at depressioncenter.org, or contact Trish Meyer, 763-7495, or meyerpa@umich.edu.

Pamela Lewis, One of the Nation's Leading Voice-Over Actresses: Talking Funny for Money!

This event was held on September 25, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:22:33)

Learn about the creative and lucrative end of the voice-over business and be entertained at the same time! As a leading voice-over artist, you've heard Pamela in everything from cartoons, Hershey's commercials and Nintendo games to prestigious films such as Cold Mountain, Primary Colors and The Manchurian Candidate. Pamela will also invite audience participation! This event includes a booksigning with copies of her CD workshop book available for purchase.

Pamela lives in Ann Arbor, but works out of New York. She has extensive experience in dubbing foreign films and has done looping and promo work for such TV series as Frazier and Homicide, in addition to HBO, Comedy Central and the Disney Channel. Pamela has long been established as one of the voice-over industry's most respected cartoon/character/looping coaches and travels nationwide with her very popular Talking Funny for Money workshops.

Panel Discussion Hosted By UMS President Ken Fischer: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Royal Shakespeare Company

This event was held on October 30, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:05:33)

AADL is very pleased to present UMS President Ken Fischer in discussion with leaders from the RSC's production and education departments about managing this major company and why Ann Arbor has become a favorite location for the RSC. Panelists include Jeremy Adams, RSC Producer; Virginia Grainger, Learning Project Manager; Richard Clayton, RSC Company Manager; and members of the UMS staff. The 2006 Royal Shakespeare Company Residency is presented by the University Musical Society.

Dr. Richard Solomon Poses the Question - Does ADHD Really Exist?

This event was held on February 8, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:32:26)

Richard Solomon, MD explores the reasons for the dramatic increase in the diagnosis of ADHD and the use of stimulant medications. He is a board certified developmental and behavioral pediatrician with 20 years experience in working with children and adolescents with school difficulties including problems with attention and learning.

Using humor, common sense and the latest scientific evidence, Dr. Solomon presents a comprehensive, individualized approach that values the child's sense of self esteem and love of learning, not just getting good grades. He will describe dozens of ways, other than medications, to help children learn.

Dr. Solomon has recently been recognized as one of the best developmental/behavioral pediatricians in Michigan by HOUR Detroit magazine (October, 2004) and was interviewed this year on the topic of ADHD by Charity Nebbie of Michigan Radio, NPR.

He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Children with Disabilities Committee on the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has had a long and distinguished career in academia, focusing on child abuse prevention, pain control for children with cancer and interventions for children with autism.

He is an adjunct associate professor at the University of Michigan and is the medical director of The Ann Arbor Center for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (www.aacenter.org).

Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist Anthony Shadid Makes a Special Library Appearance

This event was held on October 29, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:11:59)

Mr. Shadid, the only journalist to win a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting from Iraq, will discuss the world of Iraq and his awardwinning book, 'Night Draws Near: Iraq's People In The Shadow of America's War,' a riveting account of ordinary people caught between the struggles of nations. Shadid went to war in Iraq neither embedded with soldiers nor briefed by politicians. Because he is fluent in Arabic, Shadid -- an Arab American born and raised in Oklahoma -- was able to disappear into the divided, dangerous worlds of Iraq. Day by day, as the American dream of freedom clashed with Arab notions of justice, he pieced together the human story of ordinary Iraqis weathering the terrible dislocations and tragedies of war. A booksigning will follow, with books for sale courtesy of Shaman Drum Bookstore.

Anthony Shadid has reported for the Associated Press, The Boston Globe, and, since the beginning of the war in Iraq, The Washington Post. In addition to the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, his stories from Iraq have earned him an American Society of Newspaper Editors award for deadline news reporting and the Overseas Press Club's Hal Boyle Award for best newspaper or wire-service reporting from abroad. While at The Boston Globe, Shadid was awarded the 2002 George Polk Award for Foreign Reporting for a series of dispatches from the Middle East. An Arab-American of Lebanese descent, he was born and raised in Oklahoma and now lives in Washington, DC, and Baghdad. 'Night Draws Near' -- as compelling as it is human -- is an illuminating and poignant account from a reporter whose coverage has drawn international attention and acclaim. It was the winner of the 2005 Los Angeles Times Book Prize, A Washington Post Book World Top Five Nonfiction Book of the Year, A Seattle Times Top Ten Best Book of the Year and a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Through the lives of men and women, Sunnis and Shiites, American sympathizers and outraged young jihadists newly transformed into martyrs, Shadid shows us the journey of defiant, hopeful, resilient Iraq.

Sunday Edition Author Series: Local Historian Grace Shackman Discusses Her Book 'Ann Arbor Observed'

This event was held on December 10, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 00:48:44)

Twenty-five years ago, Grace Shackman began writing articles about Ann Arbor's buildings, events, and people for the "Ann Arbor Observer." Her latest book compiles the best of these articles into eight sections: public buildings and institutions; the University of Michigan; transportation; industry; downtown Ann Arbor; recreation and culture; social fabric and communities; and architecture. Shackman will discuss her book, including her research methods, local history sources, and her experience with writing local history. Books will be for sale at the event, courtesy of Nicola's Books.

Shackman's 'Ann Arbor Observer' articles, which depicted all aspects of Ann Arbor, became much-anticipated regular stories. Readers turned to her illuminating mini-histories when they wanted to know about a particular landmark, personality, business, structure, organization, or other story from Ann Arbor's past. For long-time residents, Ann Arbor expatriates, University of Michigan alumni, and visitors alike, "Ann Arbor Observed" provides a rare bygone glimpse of a town with a rich and varied history.

Sunday Edition Local Author Series: American Book Award-Winner Thomas Lynch

This event was held on October 9, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:01:31)

Michigan author and American Book Award winner Thomas Lynch will discuss his newly-released book, 'Booking Passage: We Irish and Americans,' in which he reflects on his journeys to Ireland and the binding ties of family, language and home place. It is a mixture of reminiscence, cultural portrait and meditation on what it means to be Irish, American and Irish-American.

Thomas Lynch won the American Book Award for his 1997 book, 'The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade' (the book was also a finalist for the National Book Award) and has published three volumes of critically-acclaimed poetry. He is a funeral director in Milford, Michigan, and has made numerous journeys to his ancestral country, Ireland.

Award-Winning Author Jane Hamilton Discusses Her Novel 'When Madeline Was Young'

This event was held on October 24, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 00:54:48)

Jane Hamilton, award-winning author of "The Book of Ruth" and "A Map of the World," is back in top form with a richly textured novel, now in paperback, about a tragic accident and its effects on two generations of a family. She will make this special appearance to read from and discuss her compelling work "When Madeline Was Young." A book signing will follow, with books for sale courtesy of cosponsor Shaman Drum Bookshop.

Jane Hamilton lives, works, and writes in an orchard farmhouse in Rochester, Wisconsin. Her first novel, "The Book of Ruth," won the PEN/Hemingway Award for First Fiction. Her novel "A Map of the World," a New York Times Notable Book of the Year was named one of the top ten books of the year by Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, the Miami Herald, and People magazine. Hamilton is also the author of "Disobedience" and "The Short History of a Prince."

Meet the eBay Lady!

This event was held on April 30, 2005 at Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:23:24)

EBay enthusiasts - or those who are just curious about eBay - come to the Library to meet Birmingham's Donna Klein, the eBay Lady! AADL is pleased to host Ms. Klein when she stops by to share her eBay secrets of success.

"I am the eBay lady. That's a great description of me. Every time I log on, it's an adventure. There is absolutely nothing in the world you can't find on eBay, and there is absolutely nothing in the world you can't sell there," says Donna.

This program, loaded with eBay tidbits, will be interactive with the audience. Donna will offer tips and display items. There will be many opportunities for audience questions and answers.

Donna was so successful selling items on eBay, her friends and relatives ecouraged her to share her knowledge. She began teaching her techniques at classes at the Birmingham Community House. She now conducts a variety of eBay classes.

Donna holds a B.A. from Kalamazoo College and an MBA in Finance from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Chicago.

Ireland's Fashion-Forward Designer Maggie Jackson Presents Her Latest Designs For Knitted Clothing

This event was held on October 12, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:09:05)

The renowned, award-winning clothing designer from Ireland showcases her knitted clothing line, Maggiknits, and discusses her book, "Maggie's Ireland." She brings a fashion designer's approach to hand knits combining traditional fabrics like Irish linen with denim, mohair and tweed yarns. Enhanced with strips of fabric, even fur, her innovative techniques offer an amazing variety. A booksigning will follow with books available for purchase, courtesy of Nicola's Books.

In 1977, Maggie Jackson was the first fashion designer to set up a design studio in Northern Ireland. A string of awards followed, including the coveted title of Northern Ireland Young "Business and Professional Woman of the Year," the Guinness Special Award for Design Excellence and second place in the 1996 international Mohair Association Competition for the most innovative ladies garment. Recently her achievements have won her a place in the Who's Who in Textiles 2003 publication.

Guy Sanville, Artistic Director of the Purple Rose Theatre Company, Discusses the Art of Directing

This event was held on July 28, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:29:41)

In this program celebrating the performing arts, Guy will discuss the art of directing, specifically the current production of 'Honus and Me' and the upcoming premiere of Jeff Daniel's new play 'Escanaba In Love.' Guy Sanville celebrated his eleventh anniversary as Artistic Director of The Purple Rose Theatre Company on May 1st. He has directed over twenty productions for the company and has received the Detroit Free Press Excellence in Theatre Award for Best Director four times.

Guy Sanville has appeared in seven plays for the Rose, most recently as Brock in Born Yesterday and Stu in Boomtown. He is a proud member of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Actors Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild. He also currently serves as Great Lakes Regional Vice President of the Literary Managers & Dramaturgs of the Americas. The Purple Rose production of Honus and Me is the Midwest premiere of the play. A magical family comedy, this play, which runs through September 2, tells the story of a little league player who finds the most valuable baseball card in the world. Escanaba In Love is the long-awaited sequel to Jeff Daniel's Escanaba in Da Moonlight and will have its world premiere run at the Purple Rose from September 28 through December 23. Featuring a cast of wacky characters this 11th play by the actor/playwright is sure to be a hilarious hit.

Alternative Radio Founder David Barsamian Discusses His Book 'Targeting Iran'

This event was held on October 10, 2007 at Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:21:01)

David Barsamian is founder and director of Alternative Radio, the independent award-winning weekly series based in Boulder, Colorado. In "Targeting Iran," Barsamian argues that Iran and the U.S. are on a collision course. Through interviews, the author presents the perspectives of three experts on Iran (Ervand Abrahamian, Noam Chomsky, Nahid Mozaffari); Iran's history, internal dynamics, competing forces and relations with Iraq and Afghanistan; and the consequences of U.S. policy. The Institute for Alternative Journalism named Barsamian one of its "Top Ten Media Heroes." This event includes a book signing, with books for sale courtesy of Shaman Drum Bookshop.

A radio producer, journalist, author and lecturer, Barsamian has been working in radio since 1978 and his interviews and articles appear regularly in The Progressive and Z Magazine. He is the winner of the ACLU's Upton Sinclair Award for independent journalism, the 2006 Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Award, and the Cultural Freedom Fellowship from the Lannan Foundation. His earlier books include "Propaganda and the Public Mind: Conversations with Noam Chomsky," "Eqbal Ahmad: Confronting Empire," and "The Decline and Fall of Public Broadcasting." Barsamian lectures on U.S. foreign policy, the media, propaganda, and corporate power in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, India and Europe.

Panel Discussion: Five Years Ago: 9/11 Survivors and Families

This event was held on September 20, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:24:49)

In commemoration of the 5th anniversary of 9/11 and in conjunction with the National Traveling Exhibit New York, September 11 by Magnum Photographers, this panel includes parents who all lost children on 9/1l. Adele Welty, John and Bev Titus, Pat Whalen, and Marilyn Rosenthal will reflect on the tragedy and its implications on their lives. Library Director Josie Parker will moderate.

Adele Welty, of New York, is the mother of Firefighter Timothy Welty, lost in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. She is a retired geriatric social worker, and a member of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, an advocacy organization founded by family members of victims of the September 11th attacks on the United States. Ms. Welty has traveled to Vietnam, Cambodia, Madrid, Afghanistan, and Jordan to meet with people affected by violence and war in the spirit of our common humanity, and to extend to them the same compassion that 9/11 families received from people around the world. John and Bev Titus' 28 year-old daughter Alicia was a flight attendant on UAL Flight 175. The Titus' are from Dexter, Michigan, and are also members of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. Mr. Titus has worked in higher education for 20 years and Mrs. Titus is on the faculty at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan. Pat Whalen of Canton, Michigan lost her daugter Meredith on 9/11. Meredith worked at a private investment firm located in the North Tower of the WTC. Marilyn Rosenthal's son Josh died in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Dr. Rosenthal lives in Ann Arbor and is professor, medical sociologist and director of the Program in Health Policy Studies at UM-Dearborn. She is an Associate Director of the UM medical school's Program in Society and Medicine, coordinating the UM Forum on Health Policy since 1994.

Dr. Angela Fagerlin Discusses 'Pulling the Plug on Living Wills'

This event was held on May 4, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:24:51)

The recent events surrounding the case of Terri Schiavo have caused concern around the nation over living wills, end of life issues and legal rights. A March Ann Arbor News front page story highlighted this case and cited studies by UM researcher Angela Fagerlin which point to the absolute failure of living wills to protect an individual's wishes in an end of life situation.

For this event, Dr. Fagerlin will discuss the findings of her studies - that "there is little correlation between having a living will and getting what you want... The living will has failed and it is time to say so."

Join us for a fascinating discussion of a controversial and complex issue.

Angela Fagerlin is a research investigator for UM Internal Medicine & the Program for Improving Health Care Decisions. She received her B.A. in English and Psychology from Hope College, and her Ph.D. in Experimental (Cognitive) Psychology from Kent State University.

Fagerlin's research includes studies of medical decision-making and risk communication. She is a co- author of a research article in the Hastings Center Report entitled "Enough: The Failure of the Living Will."

Her careful research has determined that "living wills have passed from controversy, to converted wisdom, to widely promoted policy. But, the policy has not produced results and should be abandoned."

Ann Arbor Book Festival Special Appearance: Nancy Pearl, Librarian, Author and Action Figure

This event was held on May 14, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 00:52:54)

Nancy Pearl, retired executive director of the Washington Center for the Book, is the model for, believe it or not, a new librarian action figure. She is also the author of Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason and its sequel, More Book Lust. Ms. Pearl will explain how her love of reading was fostered, how she became an author and why (why?!), she is now an action figure. A booksigning will follow with books (and action figures) available for purchase, courtesy of Shaman Drum Bookshop.

In her two novel guides to finding the right book for the right mood, Nancy Pearl describes, in a humor-filled and engaging manner, her hundred-or-so favorite titles--and why you should read them. In addition to her Book Lust titles, she has penned Now Read This: A Guide to Mainstream Fiction, 1978 - 1998 and Now Read This II: A Guide to Mainstream Fiction, 1990-2001. She also reviews books for local and national publications, and speaks to library and community groups full-time. Ms. Pearl reviews books regularly on KUOW, the Seattle affiliate of National Public Radio, as well as Wisconsin and Tulsa public radio stations. Among her many honors and awards are the 2004 Brava Award from Women's University Club in Seattle, the 2003 Humanities Washington Award, the Public Library Association's 2001 Allie Beth Martin Award, the 2004 Louis Shores Greenwood Publishing Group Award for excellence in the reviewing of books and other materials for libraries; and the 2004 Media and Communications Award from the Ontario, Canada, Library Association. Ms. Pearl also was named the Totem Business and Professional Women's "1998 Woman of Achievement" award and received the 1997 Open Book Award from the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference. In 1998, Library Journal named her Fiction Reviewer of the Year. She received her library degree in 1967 from the University of Michigan.

Long Distance Swimmer Liz Elling Discusses Her July Swim Down The Huron River

This event was held on June 14, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:04:40)

Elling will be joined by Laura Rubin, Exe. Director of the Huron River Watershed Council, when they discuss Liz's upcoming July marathon swim to raise awareness about fresh water resources. Liz proved her mettle in a swim around the Leelanau Peninsula in 2001. This summer, she will take on an even bigger challenge: swimming the length of the Huron River, about 125 miles, including stops in communities along the way. Learn more about Liz's personal mission to protect our lakes, rivers and streams, and what you can do. This event will be taped for future broadcast on Community Television Network. Cosponsored by the Huron River Watershed Council

Starting July 7 at Proud Lake, Liz will swim the 125-mile length of the Huron River, finishing at Lake Erie on July 21. The Huron River Watershed Council is the first and oldest river protection group in Michigan. Founded in 1965 as a public, non-profit organization, the Council is a coalition of Huron Valley residents, businesses and local governments established under Michigan's Local River Management Act (253 P.A. 1964). Since its formation, the Council has grown to be a respected voice for protection of the Huron River and its tributary streams, lakes wetlands and groundwater.

The Design Police: Regulating the City without Stifling Creativity

This event was held on October 27, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:31:25)

This last in a series of public lectures concerning the future of downtown Ann Arbor, will center on urban planning and feature a lecture by Brenda Scheer. A panel discussion will follow, with local architect Damian Farrell, planner Megan Gibb and developer Bernie Glieberman. Moderated by UM Architecture Dean Douglas S. Kelbaugh, the panel will discuss types, as well as pros and cons, of design guidelines and codes. The series is cosponsored by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Strategy Steering Committee.

Both suburban sprawl, with its arterial strips and endless cul-de-sac subdivisions, and urban blight, with its hollowed out urban centers, have degraded the physical environment of our communities. Many communities have tried to resist and reverse this trend with design guidelines and codes. Come join this community discussion. For visioning project updates, visit www.a2gov.org/downtown.

UM Professor of Law Rick Hills Discusses Housing and Zoning

This event was held on October 20, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:20:47)

At this third in a series of public lectures to create a vision for downtown Ann Arbor, Rick Hills, UM Professor of Law will discuss the history of zoning, suggesting how traditional ordinances can interfere with vibrant, pedestrian-friendly downtowns. The series, featuring highly respected leaders in the modern movement to revitalize American cities, is cosponsored by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Strategy Steering Committee.

From its inception in 1916, zoning ordinances have been used primarily for two purposes -- to protect neighborhoods from change of any sort and to segregate low-value uses from high-value uses. Traditional zoning ordinances tend to prevent policy-makers from increasing the residential densities of downtown retail areas, even when the overall population of a commutershed radically increases. The zoning process also tends to privilege the opponents of change, giving them powerful legal weapons to prevent the increased densities and mixed uses that promote livable downtowns.

Mr. Hill will outline how reforms of the zoning process can go a long way towards creating downtown districts where people can both live and work in a socially lively, culturally rich setting.

For more information on this community visioning project, visit www.a2gov.org/downtown.

Former New York Times Editor And Pulitzer Prize Winner Joseph Lelyveld Discusses His Memoir and Career

This event was held on May 15, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:10:59)

The Library is proud to host Joseph Lelyveld, executive editor of The New York Times from 1994 to 2001, as he discusses his new memoir and his illustrious career.

Mr. Lelyveld held high leadership positions at The New York Times for twelve years. He has been a correspondent for The New York Times in London, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Washington, D.C. and South Africa.

In his memoir, 'Omaha Blues: A Memory Loop,' Lelyveld unravels the tangled story of his father, a rabbi, and mother with equal measures of candor and tenderness.

A booksigning will follow, with books available for purchase courtesy of Nicola's Books. There is limited seating for this event - arrive early!

Lelyveld's book on South Africa, 'Move Your Shadow,' (Times Books, 1985) won a Pulitzer Prize in 1986. It also won awards from The Los Angeles Times, the Overseas Press Club and the Sidney Hillman Foundation.

His effort to recapture his family history, through this new book, takes him on an unforeseen journey past disparate landmarks of the last century, including the Scottsboro trials, the Zionist movement, the Hollywood blacklist, McCarthyism, and Mississippi's "freedom summer" of 1964. As Lelyveld seeks out the truth of his life story, he evokes a remarkable moment in our national story with unforgettable poignancy.

Cover to Cover Book Discussion - The Historian with Elizabeth Kostova

This event was held on October 13, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:19:29)

Elizabeth Kostova's debut novel, "The Historian," has captured the top of several nationwide bestseller lists, including the local list for Ann Arbor. Its literary approach to horror and the Dracula legend has proved fascinating for the public. Join us as Elizabeth leads a discussion of this fascinating book.

The story opens in 1972 Amsterdam when a teenage girl discovers a medieval book and a cache of yellowed letters in the library of her diplomat father. This find involves her in the legend of Dracula and horrors that she could not have forseen. Fascinating historical information combines with suspense to produce a truly satisfying horror novel.

Elizabeth Kostova graduated from Yale and holds an MFA from the University of Michigan, where she won the Hopwood Award for the Novel-in-Progress.

Stuntman 101: For Stage and Screen With Expert Christopher Barbeau

This event was held on February 11, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:30:15)

Stunt work starts with being able to fight safely and effectively. This course provides a basic introduction to safe techniques including punches, blocks, slaps, kicks and falls. With over 30 years of stage and film experience and over 350 production credits, workshop leader, Christopher Barbeau will lead this unique workshop. No previous experience is necessary - comfortable clothing and athletic shoes required.

Yale Historian David Blight Discusses His Book 'A Slave No More'

This event was held on November 8, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:29:45)

During the past few years, two new slave manuscripts have surfaced. Each is an authentic, handwritten memoir of the escape to freedom of a young male slave during the Civil War. David Blight, Director of the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance and Abolition at Yale University and the nation's leading expert on race during and after the Civil War, was commissioned to combine these narratives into his book, "A Slave No More." Blight will discuss his newly published groundbreaking work. The event will include a book signing, with books for sale courtesy of Shaman Drum Bookshop. Cosponsored by the UM Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies, the UM Center for Afroamerican and African Studies, and the UM Program in American Culture

Slave narratives, some of the most powerful records of our past, are extremely rare, with only fifty-five post-Civil War narratives surviving. Only a few are first-person accounts by slaves who ran away and freed themselves. The two recently discovered narratives, and the biographies of the men who wrote them, are a major addition to the canon of American history. The first manuscript, "The Journal of Wallace Turnage," is the story of a slave born in Snow Hill, North Carolina in 1846. The second, entitled by the author, "Memorys of the Past," is the narrative of a former slave, John Washington, born in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1838.

Antarctica: A Photographic & Geologic Journey

This event was held on July 11, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:33:03)

Take a photographic journey through Antarctica when Robin shares stories and images of her geological field work on the frozen continent. She will also discuss the natural history of this spectacular land and her upcoming trip to study Antarctica's role in global climate change. Robin was recently selected to join a team of educators and scientists to return to Antarctica as part of the ARISE (Research Immersion for Science Educators) program. She will be on "the ice" from early October through early December doing a geophysical study of the Ross Sea area and working on cores drilled below the sea ice.

The goals of the Research Immersion for Science Educators program are to raise public awareness about Antarctic scientific drilling and to integrate polar geoscience content into a range of learning environments.

Author Tim Kiska discusses his book From Soupy to Nuts:A History of Detroit Television

This event was held on September 12, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:16:41)

Go back to local TV's golden years when Tim discusses the history of this television genre. As the medium grew, thousands of Detroiters visited Channel 4 to see Milky the Clown or bombastic anchorman Bill Bonds. With the evaporation of local television, a piece of Detroit's character disappeared. Come re-capture this era. A booksigning will follow with books available for purchase.

'From Soupy to Nuts: A History of Detroit Television' is a snapshot of Detroit TV history - from Sonny Eliot, Bozo the Clown, Bill Kennedy, Lou Gordon and Gil Maddox to Al Ackerman, Sir Graves Ghastly, Dick the Bruiser and Mr. Belvedere.

To write his book, Kiska spent hundreds of hours at the Detroit Public Library, as well as the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News libraries and others. He also interviewed countless people in person and by phone, including Duane X. Riley, Sonny Eliot and Bill Bonds. The result is this extremely entertaining book.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Lecture: On Becoming Chinese American with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

This event was held on January 23, 2008 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:31:43)

Growing up the child of immigrants, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang was both part of and slightly outside of Chinese culture and mainstream American culture. What does it mean to be Chinese American? Ms. Wang's discussion will touch on issues raised by this year’s theme, China and America: Bridging Two Worlds, and the selected book, The Eighth Promise: An American Son's Tribute To His Toisanese Mother, by William Poy Lee.

As acting editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, Ms. Wang has written extensively on issues of identity and culture as process rather than simply one moment in time. She will share the stories of the different ways she has wrestled with identity and culture through her life, including during childhood, as a young adult, and as a parent.

Jazz 101: Modern Jazz with Mark Clague, Asst. Professor of Musicology, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance

This event was held on February 11, 2008 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:34:00)

In the second of the four-part series, Jazz 101, Professor Mark Clague will discuss modern jazz. This lecture is held in conjunction with the Feb. 16 University Musical Society performance by Ahmad Jamal at Hill Auditorium. Jazz 101 is a collaboration of UMS, UM School of Music, Theatre and Dance, WEMU, UM Department of Jazz, and AADL.

Town Hall Meeting on the Allen Creek Greenway: Panel of Experts with Audience Discussion

This event was held on March 8, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:28:08)

Should the city-owned parcel at the corner of First and William Streets be used for a park for added downtown greenspace or a parking lot to assist downtown visitors and commuters?

A controversial proposal - the establishment of a public greenspace park, the Allen Creek Greenway, in the downtown area of Ann Arbor - will be discussed by a panel of experts at this town hall meeting.

Panel experts include Fred Beal, the chair of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Association; Janis Bobrin, the Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner; Joe O'Neal, a Greenway advocate from O'Neal Construction; Barbara Murphy from the Old West Side Neighborhood Association Board; and Ed Shaffran, the chair of the Main Street Area Association.

The panel will be moderated by Susan Smith, President of the Ann Arbor League of Women Voters, co-sponsors of this program. The event includes time for community questions.

Join the discussion as these representatives of several key community associations consider the future of downtown Ann Arbor and examine the pros and cons of this issue.

1st Annual GT Awards and Grudge Banquet

This event was held on December 21, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 00:59:22)

Come for open play, People's Choice Awards, Hall of Fame inductions and the end-of-season wrap-up. This event will include score-settling match-ups between the players you most want to see battle it out, and will also include token awards for distinctive achievements throughout the season. Refreshments will be served.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Lecture: Revolutionary Scientists: The Legacy of Albert Einstein

This event was held on March 8, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:09:08)

In 1905, trained in physics and mathematics, Albert Einstein took an office job because he could not find a teaching position. That year, he published three papers detailing revolutionary theories related to space and time, quantum mechanics, and the existence of atoms. The ideas would rock the foundations of science. Join Dr. Zurbuchen as he, through a fascinating audio-visual presentation, carries us back to 1905, when Einstein changed the scientific world forever.

Prof. Zurbuchen has a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Bern, Switzerland. He is now Professor at the U-M, focusing on broad areas such as Space Science and Exploration, enabling Astrophysics from Space. He is a recent winner of the US Presidential Early Career Award. The 2006 Read encourages individuals to explore Revolutions in Science -- the people, theories, explanations and discoveries that challenged our thinking and changed the world -- by promoting civic dialogue through the shared experience of one book. A selection committee of community representatives, students and educators in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area chose Jonathan Weiner's The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time as the focus of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2006. Copies of the book are available at all Ann Arbor District Library sites and at area bookstores. For more information on Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads events, visit the website aareads.org.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Working Together: the Arab and Jewish Women of Ann Arbor's Zeitouna

This event was held on February 7, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:29:27)

Zeitouna is a local group composed of six Arab and six Jewish women from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. All are American citizens. They are a dialogue group and, over the past two years, have found ways to discuss the Middle East, including their own personal stories and the politics of peace. They named their group Zeitouna, Arabic for olive - both the fruit and the tree.

Zeitouna's stated mission is "to embody and promote the peaceful and just coexistence of Arab and Jewish peoples through connection, trust, empathy and actions focused on the creation of a sustainable future for Palestine and Israel.

At this special program, members Wadad Abed, Irene Butter, Huda Karaman, and Laurie White discuss their own stories as well as Zeitouna's challenges and achievements.

Come learn how this powerful local group has made inroads in dialogue and understanding of cultures.

Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Reads is a community initiative to promote reading and civic dialogue through the shared experience of reading and discussing a common book.

Library, University and community representatives from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti have modeled the read after the previous two reads which focused on the books Abraham Lincoln's DNA (in 2003) and 'Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race (in 2004).

In 2005, the program will encourage readers of all ages to explore the Cultural Treasures of the Middle East - its many shared and diverse histories, memories and traditions of creative expressions. A selection committee of community leaders, students and educators in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area chose Amin Maalouf's Leo Africanus, translated by Peter Sluglett, as the focus of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2005. This is the first time a work of fiction has been chosen for the Read. Written in the form of a memoir, Leo Africanus explores Islam and Christendom through the fictional adventures of a real-life Arab traveler and geographer.

Copies of the book are available at all Ann Arbor District Library sites and at area bookstores.

For more information about Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads, check out the website at www.aareads.org.

Author and Adventurer Jon Waterman Discusses His Arctic Travels and His Book

This event was held on August 12, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:17:28)

Since 1983, Jon Waterman has taken eighteen trips into the Arctic, trekking and paddling thousands of miles and encountering wolves, Inupiat hunters, and the oil-ravaged Prince William Sound. At this event, co-sponsored by the Alaska Coalition, he will blend historical narrative with vivid tales of his journeys, creating tension between past and present, science and politics, reflection and investigation. A book signing will follow and books will be available for purchase at the event, courtesy of Nicola's Books.

Jon will also explore how oil exploration has choked Alaska's pristine wilderness and will trace the lives of Olaus and Mardie Murie, legendary conservationists who were devoted to the protection of America's Arctic. Jon is the author of eight books, published in several languages, and the only author whose books have twice won the Banff International Book Festival "Best Adventure Travel" award. He has been presented with a National Park Service Special Achievement Award for his rescue work on McKinley, the American Alpine Club's Literary Award, and is an honorary member for life of Phi Kappa Phi. Jon's television documentary films (The Logan Challenge, Surviving Denali, Odyssey Among the Inuit) have aired on PBS, ESPN, and the Outdoor Life Network. For more information, call 327-4560.

Car & Driver Editor-in-Chief, Csaba Csere Discusses the Future of the Car: What Will We Drive

This event was held on July 7, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:26:16)

What fuel will the cars of the future use cars use? What will they be made out of? Will they drive themselves? These are all topics Csaba will explore in this fascinating discussion, which will leave much time for audience questions.

What will we be driving in the next decade? Find out in this program held in conjunction with the Rolling Sculpture Car Show, co-sponsored by the Main Street Area Association.

Csaba Csere has been writing about cars since he joined Car and Driver magazine as its Technical Editor in 1980. He has specialized in stories about technical issues and first-person experiences in various competition machines ranging from NASCAR stockers to Formula 1 cars. In the process, he has managed to snag rides in professional rallies, off-road races, and countless road races-including fifteen 24-hour events. He has even achieved the dubious distinction of performing an automotive back flip at over 200 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Outside of Car and Driver, Csaba has appeared as an authority on automotive issues ranging from product design to safety to energy policy in venues ranging from the United States Senate to virtually every national television and radio news program.

Csaba became Editor-in-Chief in 1993 and directs his energy towards strengthening Car and Driver's position as the world's largest circulation and foremost automotive magazine, while integrating Car and Driver's TV, Internet, and radio extensions.

Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Reads Event - Travel to the Heart of 'The Beak of the Finch' - the Galapagos Islands

This event was held on February 2, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:00:52)

The Galapagos Islands are the habitat for some of the world's most unusual animals and plants, many found nowhere else. Will Weber, owner of Journeys International, will lead us on a tour of this unique area. Joan and Will Weber of Ann Arbor founded Journeys International in 1978 while they were UM graduate students. They are also directors of the non-profit Earth Preservation Fund, an organization supporting conservation and community development projects in Journeys International destinations.

Will Weber has been a Nepal Peace Corps Volunteer, a high school math and science teacher, and a conservation officer in the Nepal National Parks. He participated in the original survey and development work which led to Mt. Everest, Langtang and Chitwan National Parks. The book chosen for the 2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads, The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time by Jonathan Weiner, chronicles the work of scientists Rosemary and Peter Grant on the Galapogos Islands. This year's read focuses on Revolutions in Science: the people, theories, explanations and discoveries that challenged our thinking and changed the world. AADL will present a multitude of topical programs from through March in conjunction with the 2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads.

Chocolate Lovers! Demonstration and Tasting with the Experts at Zingerman's

This event was held on February 10, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:37:30)

Taste amazing chocolates with the experts at Zingerman's and learn about making chocolate - from the bean to the bar. Arrive early -- space is limited!

Detroit Tiger Legend Denny McLain and TV Personality Eli Zaret Discuss Their New Book

This event was held on August 14, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:29:42)

Denny McLain's biography allows the former All-Star pitcher to share his cautionary tale with generations of baseball fans: older ones who witnessed his downfall and younger ones who can learn from McLain's multitude of mistakes. From being the only 30-game winner in more than 70 years, to touring the country as a popular musician playing on national TV, to spending nine years in jail -- Denny McLain has lived a bizarre and remarkable life. Co-authors McLain and Zaret will make this special Library appearance to discuss McLain's career. A book signing will follow the discussion, with books available for sale at the event. This event is scheduled to be broadcast live on Community Television Network, channel 18.

In 1968, McLain set the baseball world on fire by being the first pitcher to win at least 30 games since Dizzy Dean 34 years earlier. But two years later he was banned from the game for half a season, traded away to the laughing-stock Washington Senators where he entered into a never-ending battle with baseball icon Ted Williams. By 1972, he was a retired star, hustling games of golf - and his troubles were just beginning. Emmy-winning sportscaster Eli Zaret published his first book, "84 - The Last of the Great Tigers, Untold Stories from an Amazing Season" in 2003. He followed that in 2004 with "Blue Collar Blueprint - How the Pistons Constructed their Championship Formula."

Gala Tubingen Sister City Celebration

This event was held on May 22, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:05:32)

This gala reception to welcome the official delegation of 27 citizens from Tubingen, Germany, celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between the two cities. This public event will also feature elegant refreshments and music from the award-winning Community High School Jazz band. The event also highlights the Library's May photo exhibit, "Images of Tubingen.

Hosted by Library Director Josie Parker, the reception will also feature remarks by Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, Tubingen Lord Mayor Brigitte Russ-Scherer and other dignitaries.

Tubingen became Ann Arbor's first sister city in 1965 - the year this historic university town won the prestigious Europe Prize. But the relationship was as old as the waves of German settlers who came here in the 19th century from the region known as "Swabia" in southwest Germany. By the 1960s, high school teachers in both cities were arranging music exchanges.

Since 1965, the Tubingen and Ann Arbor citizens have lived in each other's homes, and traveled together at home and abroad for days or weeks at a time. Today, Ann Arbor has seven sister cities and Tubingen has eight, but they continue to be each other's only American-European partner.

The photo display "Images of Tubingen" will be on display in the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room from April 16 through May 30. Yvonne Berardi, Alexander Gonschior, and Ulrich Metz - three of Tubingen's regional photographers - have captured the city's charm with these photographs. Ranging from grandiose panorama pictures to impressions of everyday life, they portray the city's beauty, and the beauty of living there.

Bestselling Suspense Author Ridley Pearson Discusses His New Thriller 'Cut and Run'

This event was held on April 8, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:04:17)

AADL continues its celebration of National Library Week (something for everyone @ your library) with one of the bestselling authors of the thriller genre. Ridley Pearson discusses his new novel 'Cut and Run' and answers audience questions at this event. He will also sign copies of his books, which will be on sale at the event courtesy of Nicola's Books.

Whether it's writing frighteningly real suspense fiction, playing bass guitar in a literary all-star garage band, or the inherent joys of new fatherhood, Ridley Pearson has mastered the art of keeping a lot of people up all night. With twenty novels under his belt, Pearson has earned a reputation for stories that grip the imagination, emphasize high-tech crime and dazzling forensic detail, and, all too often, imitate life.

"Undercurrents," Ridley's classic 1988 novel, helped a prosecuting attorney from Washington state solve a real-life homicide by referring to research methods used in the book. The attorney - who happened to be reading "Undercurrents" at the time - enlisted the aid of an oceanographer mentioned in the book's acknowledgment page. The oceanographer identified a tidal flow and window of time essential to the case and, serving as an expert witness, helped convict the victim's husband of murder.

The topic of Pearson's 1995 novel, "Chain of Evidence," which involved the existence of a crime gene, was the focus of a genetics conference later that year that erupted in controversy, making national news. "Beyond Recognition" (1997) tackled the violent mystery of high-tech arson, and at least one death occurred subsequently just as Ridley described it in the book.

Ridley has co-produced and written documentaries for television, and is currently working on a dramatic series for Showtime. He is the bestselling author of fourteen novels which have sold over six million copies and have been translated into twenty languages.

In 1991, Ridley was the first American to be awarded the Raymond Chandler Fulbright at Oxford University.

His new thriller, "Cut And Run," features witness protection agent Roland Larson who has the misfortune of falling in love with Hope, a protected witness, whose testimony had put away prominent members of a crime family. In a series of terrifying encounters, he must match wits with a brutally ingenious henchman who has kidnapped Hope and Larson's daughter in a ruthless quest to destroy Hope.

Fox 2 Reporter Lee Thomas Discusses His Battle With Vitiligo And His New Book 'Turning White: A Memoir of Change'

This event was held on November 15, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 00:52:49)

In his newly released book, Emmy Award-winning TV broadcaster Lee Thomas shares the physical and mental battle he is currently waging. In 1996, the African-American broadcaster was diagnosed with the skin pigment disorder vitiligo. In "Turning White: A Memoir of Change," Thomas shares his journey to help people understand vitiligo, and to help others cope with the psychological war that comes from this life-changing disease. Hear him discuss his career, his struggle with vitiligo, and his thought-provoking memoir at this special event. A book signing will follow, with books for sale courtesy of Nicola's Books. As someone in the very public eye, vitiligo has transformed not only Thomas' color, but his life. "Even people who have known me for years avoid eye contact when they see my face without makeup for the first time." He is also currently slated to be the keynote speaker for the National Vitiligo Foundation annual meeting/ awards banquet in October 2007. FOX 2 Detroit and PBS Detroit are developing a documentary on Thomas, which is slated to air locally in November and may go into national syndication. More than two million people in the U.S. suffer from vitiligo. This is the only book on the market addressing the personal and emotional struggles one faces with the disease.

Best-selling Mystery Authors Loren Estleman and C.J. Box Discuss Their Mystery Novels

This event was held on January 10, 2008 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:05:16)

Meet two of the country’s leading writers in the mystery genre. C.J. Box will discuss "Blue Heaven" ("a suspenseful tour-de-force" -- Kirkus Reviews) and Loren Estleman will cover "Gas City" (a "razor-sharp tale of crime and corruption" -- Publisher’s Weekly). Both books will be released in January. The authors will sign books and answer audience questions. Books will be for sale at the event, courtesy of Aunt Agatha’s Mystery Bookshop.

AADL-GT Super Smash Double Dash Championship Series: Round 2

This event was held on September 29, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 03:32:00)

The hottest tournament in town continues each month at the Downtown Library! Prizes will be awarded for Super Smash Brothers Melee and Mario Kart Double Dash team and single player events, with the Grand Champion to be chosen on December 15! Visit the AXIS blog at axis.aadl.org for constant updates. Form your own 4 to 6 person clan and battle your way to fame and glory!

AADL-GT Super Smash Double Dash Championship Series

This event was held on August 25, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 03:30:00)

Battle it out in the first session of the 4th season of the Super Smash Double Dash Tournament with Master Shells and clan competition! Sessions will be held each month until the December 15 finals. Prizes will be given for Super Smash Brothers Melee and Mario Kart Double Dash team and single-player events. Form a 4 to 6-person clan and get involved at aadl.org/aadlgt.

AADL GT Double Dash Tournament - Grand Championship

This event was held on December 18, 2004 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 02:53:00)

It's the big event in the five-month Mario Kart series, featuring high-ranking contestants from the August - November tournaments!

Any interested newcomers will get a chance to make it to the Champion's Cup by playing in a short, wildcard tournament, beginning at noon.

Are you good enough to win an AADL Double Dash Tournament? Join Mario, Luigi, Peach and some of the best Mario Kart players in the Ann Arbor area for this racing frenzy! Test your skill! There are also several other December Mario Kart Tournaments at the Library. All events take place in the Downtown Library multi-purpose room and no registration is necessary.

Join the racing frenzy at these upcoming events:

Sunday, December 19, 2:00 - 4:00 pm in the Downtown Library multi-purpose room: Mario Kart Rookie Tournament for all youth age 6 - 12. This special event is geared to the younger set. Come try your luck!

Monday, December 27, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm in the Downtown Library multi-purpose room: Mario Kart Open Play for grades 6 - 12. Killing time during the school break? Drop in anytime between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm and play Mario Kart on our awesome networked gaming set.

2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Author William Poy Lee Discusses "The Eighth Promise"

This event was held on January 25, 2008 at Washtenaw Community College - Morris Lawrence Building

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:09:00)

Acclaimed author William Poy Lee will make a special appearance as part of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads. His book, "The Eighth Promise: An American Son’s Tribute To His Toisanese Mother," has been chosen as the focus of the 2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads program. Mr. Poy will discuss his book and his perspective on the Chinese American experience. A book signing will follow, with books for sale at the event, courtesy of Borders.

This appearance is a key event for the 2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti reads program, which this year focuses on the theme China and America: Bridging Two Worlds.

Graphic Novelist Josh Elder, Author of 'Mail Order Ninja' Discusses His Craft

This event was held on September 27, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:18:00)

This Chicago-based graphic novelist recently made a splash in the publishing world with his "Mail Order Ninja" graphic novel series and nationally-syndicated comic strip from TokyoPop. He has also written an upcoming issue of "The Batman Strikes" for DC Comics. Find out how Josh got his start and what it's like in the world of graphic novel authors when Josh visits the Library to discuss his craft. The event will include a book signing, with books available for purchase. This event will be taped for future broadcast on Community Television Network, Channel 18. A life-long comic book fan and graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Film, Josh spent several years after graduation on the periphery of the comic book industry, first as a DC Comics intern and later as an associate editor for Wizard Magazine. In April 2005, his short story, "Mail Order Ninja," won the grand prize in TokyoPop's fifth Rising Stars of Manga contest. He scored a six-book deal as a result. Josh is now working on the third volume of "Mail Order Ninja." He also writes graphic novel reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Pokemon Battle Revolution for All Ages

This event was held on November 23, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:28:00)

Bring your Nintendo DS and Pokemon Pearl or Diamond game to battle your way through the ranks at our first tournament! Prizes will be awarded to the top two finishers.

The Ethics of Crisis: What Counts As Fair Treatment During a Public Health Disaster? Cosponsored by UM Office of the President, Ethics in Public Life Initiative

This event was held on November 28, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:27:00)

Katrina. 9/11. SARS. Public health disasters come in many forms but all bring with them a sudden, often massive increase in health needs. Who should be vaccinated first if a pandemic strikes? Should stockpiling of supplies be permitted by those other than public or community health organizations? Who receives scarce intensive care beds or - in extreme scarcity - any medical treatment at all? How will Americans react to being told to wait their turn? Dr. Susan Dorr Goold, Assoc. Prof. of Internal Medicine and Health Management and Policy, and Director, Bioethics Program at UM, will moderate a panel discussion of experts in public health, disaster preparedness, and ethics of resource allocation during times of panic, turbulence and often extreme scarcity. Panelists will include Bruce A. Cadwallender, Director, Safety & Emergency Management, UM Hospitals & Health Centers; Ellen J. Clement, Director, Washtenaw County Health Department; Peter D. Jacobson, Professor of Health Management & Policy; and Howard Markel, Director, Center for the History of Medicine.

The Many Villages of Mexico with Stephanie Schneiderman of Tia Stephanie Tours

This event was held on December 6, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:22:00)

Mexico -- a country so close, yet whose customs are so different from ours; a country that is much more than its beaches. Using many colorful photographs and anecdotes from past journeys, you can visit this intriguing country through Stephanie's eyes. Tia Stephanie Tours designs and leads small group cultural journeys to Mexico, focusing on folk art, people and customs, pre-Hispanic civilizations, flora and fauna. Stephanie will provide an introduction to the landmarks, cultural traditions and beauty that is Mexico. Tia Stephanie Tours combines education with off-the-path itineraries and is designed to build greater understanding and appreciation of the richness and complexity of Mexico and the Mexican people. Schneiderman was born in Havana, grew up in Mexico City, lived in and studied in Miami and went to Graduate School in Phoenix. She has a BA in Political Science/International Relations, a Certificate in Latin American/Caribbean Studies from Florida International University, and a Masters Degree in International Management. Stephanie has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and, given her fluency in Spanish, has gained access to many off-the-path locations and communities.

Author Jonathan Lethem Discusses His Novel 'You Don't Love Me Yet'

This event was held on April 5, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 00:59:00)

AADL and Shaman Drum Bookshop are pleased to host a special event featuring award-winning author Jonathan Lethem in a discussion of his latest novel. The author of six novels, including the bestsellers The Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn (winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award), Lethem is also the author of two short story collections, Men and Cartoons and The Wall of the Sky, the Wall of the Eye, and a collection of essays, The Disappointment Artist. A book signing will follow, with books for sale courtesy of Shaman Drum Bookshop. You Don't Love Me Yet is a raucous romantic farce that explores the paradoxes of love and art. It is a funny and affectionate send-up of the alternative band scene, the city of Los Angeles, and the entire genre of romantic comedy.

Nationally-Known Heirloom Cooking Experts The Brass Sisters Discuss Heirloom Baking and Introduce AADL's New Digital Database of Local Recipes 'Ann Arbor Cooks'

This event was held on October 25, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:12:00)

See the premiere of Ann Arbor Cooks, the new online database of local historical cookbooks and heirloom recipes available at aadl.org. Who better to introduce this terrific new service than the nationally-known (and always enjoyable!) heirloom cooking experts from New England, Marilynn and Sheila Brass, authors of "Heirloom Baking with the Brass Sisters." This delightful evening includes a demonstration of Ann Arbor Cooks, a discussion of heirloom baking by the Brass sisters, and refreshments made by the Washtenaw County Historical Society from heirloom recipes. The Brass sisters will also sign their book, for sale at the event courtesy of Nicola's Books. ANN ARBOR COOKS: This new project by AADL, in cooperation with the Washtenaw County Historical Society and Hadassah, digitizes cookbooks published by Ann Arbor churches and organizations, making them available through aadl.org. The Library has reached back in time to gather cookbooks from the late 19th and 20th centuries that capture the tastes and tempo of Ann Arbor throughout its history. Many of these books were provided for this project by the Washtenaw County Historical Society. The online exhibit also contains two illustrated cookbooks from Hadassah, "Like Mama Used to Make" and "Like Mama Used to Make ... And More." Ann Arbor Cooks will also highlight local growers, local food clubs, classes and many special events for everyday cooks, aspiring chefs and food lovers. "Heirloom Cooking with the Brass Sisters" was recently nominated for a 2007 James Beard Foundation Book Award.

AADL-GT Super Smash Double Dash Championships

This event was held on December 15, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:29:00)

The hottest tournament in town concludes with this Grand Championship -- to be televised on CTN. The Grand Prizes will be valuable electronic devices from Apple and Nintendo. Come to dominate or just hang out! Visit the AXIS blog at axis.aadl.org for constant updates.

AADL-GT Super Smash Double Dash Grand Championship

This event was held on December 16, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:57:00)

The hottest tournament in town concludes with this Grand Championship--and it will be televised on CTN (a signed release form is required)! The Grand Prizes will be valuable electronic devices from Apple and Nintendo. Come to dominate or just hang out!

Knitting Author Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Discusses Her Personal Obsession With Knitting and Her New Book 'Knitting Rules!'

This event was held on July 30, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:17:00)

If you're a knitter, then you know the Yarn Harlot (http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/), whose blogs about knitting, yarns, babies and all (interesting) matters under the sun for some of the most interesting knitting material in cyberspace. In this special event, cosponsored by the Ann Arbor Book Festival, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee comes to the Library to dish and bitch about the joys and perils of playing with sticks and strings. She will also talk about her latest book, 'Knitting Rules!' The event includes a booksigning, with books for sale courtesy of Nicola's Books. In real life, she is Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the author of 'The Secret Life of a Knitter' and 'At Knit's End: Meditations For Women Who Knit Too Much.' Her tongue-in-cheek meditations on a personal obsession fraught with guilt, frustration, over-optimism, sly deception, and compulsion, along with passionate moments of creative enlightenment, are truly down-to-earth witticisms--and not just for women who knit too much. Pearl-McPhee, who lives in Toronto, has also contributed articles and patterns to knitting magazines such as Cast On, Interweave Knits, Knitty, Stranded, and Spin Off. Her writing and work is best known through her blog. In 2004, she founded Tricoteuses sans Frontieres (Knitters without Borders), a group dedicated to raising money for the non-profit Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders). As of 2006, they have raised over $100,000. In 2006 she started the Knitting Olympics, a competition for knitters to start and finish one project during the timeframe of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Over 4,000 knitters worldwide participated.

Bright Nights Community Forum with UM Depression Center: Women's Health & Depression

This event was held on April 3, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:30:00)

To provide greater understanding of the connections between women's health and depression throughout the life span, the UM Depression Center and AADL present this forum in collaboration with the UM Women's Health Program. Sheila Marcus, MD, Clinical Assoc. Professor, UM Dept. of Psychiatry and Depression Center, Section Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Medical Director of the Women's Perinatal and Mood Disorders Program, will present a brief overview of the latest clinical findings on depression in women throughout the life span, then moderate a panel discussion of medical specialists. A question and answer session will be included. Panelists will include: Heather Flynn, PhD, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, UM Medical School; Helen C. Kales, MD, Asst. Professor, UM Dept. of Psychiatry, Medical Director of the Geriatric Depression Program at UM Depression Center, Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System; Yolanda R. Smith, MD, MS, Assoc. Professor, UM Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Emily Gutman, LMSW, CSW, UM Hospitals and Health Centers. Research has shown that more women than men experience depression and about 23% of women experience depression at some point in their lives. Particular life stages and biological phases may contribute to this increased risk. For example, women may be at greater risk for depression when their estrogen levels change, such as following the birth of a child and at the end of the menstrual cycle.

College Night with John Boshoven, Debbie Merion & Geraldine Markel

This event was held on September 17, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:31:00)

Finding and paying for the college that FITS, writing those pesky essays, and taking those pesky tests--we've got you covered! Spend an informative evening with local college application experts. Community High's college prep counselor John Boshoven and Deb Merion, the founder of Essay Coaching, will be joined by performance coach Geraldine Markel at this event for parents and teens. Take the edge off the search and application process! John B. Boshoven, MA, MSW, LPC, is Past President of the Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling. He is the Counselor for Continuing Education at Ann Arbor's Community High School, Director of College Counseling at the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit and has a private college counseling practice. Debbie Eisenberg Merion, BA, MSW, is the founder of Essay Coaching (essaycoaching.com), which conducts college essay writing workshops and provides creative, personalized, goal-oriented essay coaching for individuals. She is a former college English instructor with 25 years of professional writing experience and 50 publications. Geraldine Markel, PhD is creator of Managing Your Mind Coaching & Seminars (managingyourmind.com). She is a performance coach specializing in helping students attain academic success on tests and in the classroom. She is the co-author of several books, including Peterson's Parent's Guide to the SAT & ACT: Practical Advice to Help You and Your Teen, Helping Adolescents with ADHD and Learning Disabilities: Ready-to Use Tips, Techniques, and Checklists for School Success, and Finding Your Focus: Practical Strategies for the Everyday Challenges Facing Adults with ADD. Dr. Markel will provide simple but powerful techniques for preparing for high-stakes tests. Tips for adolescents with ADD and/or learning disabilities will be included.

Google Comes to Ann Arbor: Grady Burnett, Head of Google's New Ann Arbor Office, Discusses The Company's Plan For Growth

This event was held on November 30, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:26:00)

AADL is pleased to welcome Grady Burnett, head of Online Sales and Operations at Google's Ann Arbor office, in a discussion about Google's decision to open the office and its plans for growth. The Ann Arbor office will support Google's AdWords advertising program. Mr. Burnett will highlight a few of Google's recent initiatives and take questions. He will also be joined by Ben Bunnell, Library Partnerships Manager of Google's Book Search team, through which Google plans to digitize millions of books from libraries. Grady Burnett is responsible for hiring, customer service, account management and sales efforts supporting the Google AdWords advertising program. Prior to building this office, Grady managed the national agency team at Google headquarters in Mountain View, CA. In addition to his career in advertising and management, Grady was a professional tennis player for 3 years. He is a UM grad and has an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Ben Bunnell joined Google in 2002. In Google Book Search's early days, he helped set up Google's digitization operation for UM. He holds a BA from Virginia Commonwealth University and Master's degrees in Library Science and Business from UM, whose School of Information recently named him "Outstanding Recent Graduate."

Ann Arbor Police Lieutenant Michael Logghe Discusses True Crimes In Ann Arbor & Anecdotes from the AAPD, then Assists in Unveiling the New aadl.org Feature 'Ann Arbor Police Department Online History Exhibit'

This event was held on April 24, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:11:00)

Listen to fascinating anecdotes of the Ann Arbor Police Department, then learn about this new aadl.org exhibit. A joint project of AADL and AAPD, the Online History Exhibit contains more than 200 images of Police Department history, including photos of the earliest officers, marshals, vintage cars and cityscapes. See the new Online History site unveiled and demonstrated. The site will then be accessible through aadl.org. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about our police department and this new, easily accessible online resource. The Ann Arbor Police Department Online History Exhibit also contains histories and narratives of the AAPD. Want to know how the Ann Arbor police shooting range was developed? Or who was the police chief in the 1970s? This is the new online source for that information. Lt. Michael Logghe has been a member of the Ann Arbor Police Department for twenty years. He grew up in Roseville, Michigan and received his BA in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University.

The Yarn Harlot & Knitting Author Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Discusses Knitting and Her New Book

This event was held on April 1, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 00:43:00)

The Yarn Harlot makes a return visit to AADL to talk (about everything), knit, and answer your questions! Stephanie's newest book is "Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off: The Yarn Harlot's Guide to the Land of Knitting." The event includes a book signing, with books for sale courtesy of Borders Books and Music.

Stephanie invites knitters of all ages, levels, and persuasions to embark with her on a journey deep into the land populated by those who are obsessed with yarn, needles, and what's on their needles now.

Note: Due to a travel nightmare (which she details in the video), Stephanie was 4 hours late for this event, with the both the multipurpose room and the 4th floor overflow room filled to capacity with knitters and knitbloggers from all over the great lakes! Fortunately, the audience was well-equipped to kill time, and were treated to a few parades from a Festifools-inspired kid's craft program going on upstairs.

Annual Report 2006-2007

Watch Now (Runtime: 00:05:00)

Each year, Ann Arbor District Library produces an Annual Report that covers the state of the organization, additions to services, and other information about your library. This year, we've produced a 5-minute video that summarizes some of the happenings of the past fiscal year, which was from June 2006 through July 2007. We hope you enjoy it!

You can also find full financial, statistical, donor and community partner information for 2006-2007 on our Annual Reports page, along with past reports.

John Bowditch of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Discusses Edison & Tesla: Inventors as Icons

This event was held on June 21, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:20:00)

It's the 25th anniversary of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum! In celebration, and in conjunction with the Library's Figure It Out summer reading program, AADL and AAHOM are hosting several science lectures at the downtown Library. In the first lecture, nationally-known Edison expert John Bowditch will discuss two great inventors of the 20th century. Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison are known not only for their inventions, but also for their intense rivalry. This event will be taped for future broadcast on Community Television Network. A 25th Anniversary Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Historical Exhibit will be displayed in the lower level of the Library through July 21. John Bowditch is the current Director of Exhibits at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. He has also served as Curator of Industry at Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village for 21 years and as the Director of the Lowell Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts. A published author, Bowditch has appeared on the BBC and History Channel as an expert on Thomas Edison. Additional science lectures in this series will take place in July.

Bright Nights Community Forum: Eating Disorders & Depression presented by UM Depression Center

This event was held on March 6, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:27:00)

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating disorders are not caused by a failure of will or behavior; rather, they are real, treatable medical illnesses which frequently occur with psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. Dr. David S. Rosen, UM Prof. of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases and Clinical Prof. of Internal Medicine, UM Depression Center, will present an overview of the latest research on eating disorders, followed by a panel discussion with specialists from The Center for Eating Disorders and the Dept. of Psychiatry, UM Medical School. The panel will answer questions from the audience. This event is cosponsored by the UM Depression Center and is scheduled to be broadcast live on the Community Television Network, channel 18. Panelists will include Judith Banker, MA, LLP, FAED, and Amy Pershing, LMSW, ACSW, of The Center for Eating Disorders, and Barb Blue, MSN, RN, CPNP, Anita Kumar-Gill, MD, and Kendra Shih, MD, of the Dept. of Psychiatry, UM Medical School. An individual's eating habits are controlled by many different factors, including appetite, food availability, and family, peer, and cultural influences. Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight. For more information, see www.depressioncenter.org, or contact Trish Meyer, 734.763.7495, or meyerpa@umich.edu.

Legendary Television Producer Chuck Barris Discusses His New Novel of a Futuristic TV Game Show

This event was held on May 22, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 00:36:00)

Legendary producer Chuck Barris virtually invented reality TV with such era-defining shows as The Newlywed Game, The Dating Game, and The Gong Show, and later stunned the world with the outrageous revelations in his memoir, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (which became a George Clooney/Drew Barrymore/Julia Roberts film). His new book, The Big Question: A Novel of Reality Television, is a satire of a futuristic game show. Enjoy an evening with the creator of some of the most innovative and groundbreaking television of our time, as Barris shares anecdotes of his famed career and discusses his book. A book signing will follow, with books for sale, courtesy of Nicola's Books. This event is scheduled to be broadcast live on Community Television Network, channel 18.

What Chuck Barris brought to television was spontaneity using ordinary people, and the country tuned in to watch. Barris's use of spontaneity - no right or wrong answers - is generally accepted as the beginning of TV's "reality programming" as we know it today. He also changed the television industry behind the scenes. When the network dropped one of his shows before it ever aired, Barris bought back the pilot and sold the show to local stations one at a time - and first-run syndication, now a multi-billion dollar industry, was born. Beneath the veneer of social satire, Barris' new novel raises some pertinent questions of its own - not only about the state of television, but about the contemporary culture that spawns it.

Bright Nights Community Forum: Depression: Seasons & Reasons - A Closer Look at Seasonal Affective Disorder

This event was held on January 30, 2007 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:25:00)

With shorter winter days and less sunlight, many find themselves feeling unhappy, with low energy, problems with sleep and appetite, and reduced concentration. Why does the change in seasons bring on depression, and what can be done to prevent and treat it? Dr. John Greden, Exec. Director, UM Depression Center, and Chair of the Dept. of Psychiatry, will present an overview of the latest SAD research, then lead a panel discussion with Neera Ghaziuddin, MD, Assoc. Prof. of Psychiatry, UM Medical School, J. Todd Arnedt, PhD, Clinical Asst. Prof., Sleep and Chronophysiology Lab, UM Dept. of Psychiatry, and Bruce Gimbel, MD, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. A question and answer session will follow. Bright Nights is open to the public and there is no charge for attendance. For more information, please visit the Depression Center website at depressioncenter.org, or contact Trish Meyer, 763-7495, or meyerpa@umich.edu.

Bright Nights Community Forum: Winter Blues presented by UM Depression Center

This event was held on January 11, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:28:00)

With winter upon us, many dread the coming months of short gloomy days and cloudy weeks. This is Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. At this event, Dr. Melvin McInnis from the UM Depression Center will discuss recent research of SAD and focus on treatment options, including light therapy. He will then be joined by UM Depression Center colleagues Dr. John Greden and Dr. Randy Nesse, and local practicing psychiatrist Dr. Tom Zelnik, for a panel discussion and question/answer session with the audience.

This event is part of the Library's Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2006 program, which focuses on the theme Revolutions In Science.

While this panel discussion is part of the Library's January - March Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads program, it also marks the beginning of a series of community discussions with the UM Depression Center. Set to occur 3 more times throughout 2006, these discussions, entitled Bright Nights, will offer an opportunity for community members to obtain up-to-date information on a variety of topics related to depression.

For more information about Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads, visit the website at aareads.org.

Bright Nights Community Forum with UM Depression Center: Sleep and Depression

This event was held on October 24, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:27:00)

Sleep affects the well-being of all people. Because sleep can profoundly impact those suffering with depression, it is necessary to understand how sleep problems can be managed to make the treatment of depression more effective. Dr. Roseanne Armitage, Director of the UM Sleep and Chronophysiology Laboratory, will present a brief overview describing how sleep and depression interact and information on the latest sleep and depression research underway at UM. This will be followed by a specialist panel discussion with Dr. J. Todd Arnedt and Dr. Elizabeth Young from the UM Depression Center, and Dr. Ronald Chervin, Director of the UM Sleep Disorders Center. This program is the fourth in the Bright Nights series, cosponsored by the UM Depression Center. The UM Sleep and Chronophysiology Laboratory is a research laboratory that investigates sleep and biological rhythm regulation from childhood through adulthood. The laboratory has a strong interest in the biological risk factors for depression, how major depressive disorder affects the sleep of both children and adults, and whether sleep-focused interventions can help to improve depression treatment. For more information on the Center, please visit their website at www.depressioncenter.org.