Did you know the Traverwood Branch has two wonderful features not offered at our other branches? Parking is available underneath the branch. This includes handicapped parking and bike racks. The entrance for the underground lot is on Huron Parkway. An elevator as well as stairs are available to take you from the parking area to the Library’s lobby. Not only does the underground parking give you easy access to the Library, but it also provides shelter for you in inclement weather. Come to the Traverwood Branch and check out these new features waiting for you.

If Ann Arbor's Art Fairs and Summer Festival weren't enough, you'll have another chance to look at art, listen to music, and eat elephant ears this Friday and Saturday, July 25-26, at the Chelsea SummerFest. Now in its 30th year, the SummerFest includes ARTicipation, a juried art show and art activities for kids; a variety of musical events at three different stages; an antique car show; and plenty of activities for kids, including a Pet Parade and tours of the Teddy Bear Factory. On top of that, the Chelsea Toy Museum makes its debut this weekend.

The Chelsea Teddy Bear Co. will open their new Toy Museum July 25-27th in Chelsea. As a part of their opening, they will attempt to break their own record for the world's largest teddy bear mosaic for the Guinness World Records book at noon on July 26. They also will have special programming. If your interest lies in the history of toys and teddy bears, think about attending one of the programs on Saturday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Also, check out A Collector's History of the Teddy Bear from the library. If you are curious about how they make their bears, they offer factory tours on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3 p.m. If you would like to make one of your own, try out Making Lovable Teddy Bears & Their Clothes or Making Traditional Bears.

...in ESL Conversation Groups at Mallets Creek every Friday from 1:00 to 2:30 in the afternoon, thanks to AADL's partnership with Washtenaw Literacy. If you know someone who is learning English and would like the chance to practice in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere this is the place to be! There are volunteer training sessions this summer and throughout the year as well as other opportunities to chat around town. It's FUN & no experience is necessary!

Sadly, this is Sancho’s last blog (he is going to graduate school to study quixotic literature and eating big lunches and taking afternoon naps). Happily, there’s a great event coming up at Motte and Bailey Booksellers on 4th Ave. in Kerrytown next Tuesday. M&B will be hosting Dr. Jackie LaRose of Eastern Michigan University’s Teacher Education Department to talk about great books for teens. Fodder for parents and teens alike! See you there!

Whether it’s a steamy July afternoon or a cold January morning, the Ann Arbor District Library is always a cool place to be. Escape from the heat with your laptop to any of our locations and hookup to our Wifi. Relax and read a newspaper in a cozy chair in the reading room at our Malletts Creek Branch. Browse the latest dvds in our collection. Enjoy the woodsy atmosphere of our new Traverwood Branch. It’s all there for you to enjoy year round at the Ann Arbor District Library.

The Shadow Art Fair is being held this Saturday, July 19 from noon to midnight at the Arbor Brewing Company's Corner Brewery, in Ypsilanti. Meant to focus less on the national scope of this week's big Ann Arbor Art Fairs and more on our rich local arts scene, it's always a quirky and rewarding event. The Shadow is refreshingly human-sized, and a great way to find out what's happening with homegrown creativity.

I must admit, I’m one of those people who loves the Art Fairs. I love the crush of people downtown, the car-free streets at nighttime, the fair food, and especially the sale where you get to dig through boxes of cheap clothes at Urban Outfitters. Even art on a stick makes my heart go pitter-patter.

One of the best things about the original Art Fair in recent years has been the addition of the Townie Party. This year’s event, on the evening of Monday, July 14, includes some interesting new features. First off, the event is working hard at being zero-waste in partnership with Recycle Ann Arbor. RAA will also play a part in a new tent at the Townie Party—the Arts Alliance will be hosting a special Creative Connections during which participants will work collaboratively to create a masterpiece out of discarded materials donated by the Reuse Center. They’ll also be providing local artists and arts and cultural organizations with a place to share their activities with the public, all under one (tent) roof. AADL will be among the organizations in the mix, so plan to stop by and say hello!

The Campbell Award (and a list of previous winners) named In War Times by Kathleen Ann Goonan the Best Science Fiction Novel of 2007. The award was created to honor the late editor of Astounding Science Fiction magazine (now called Analog). Many writers and scholars call Campbell, who edited the magazine from 1937 until his death in 1971, the father of modern science fiction.

You might remember back in January 2008, In War Times was picked as the best 2007 SF novel by the American Library Association's Reading List Council Genre Fiction Awards. For a list of the major literary award winners, check out our new service : BookLetters.