Winter: Good Season for Plays

Sat, 02/27/2010 - 3:00pm by annevm

Theater has deep roots around here, as Grace Shackman chronicles in her Ann Arbor Observer article about the old Whitney Theater. Today we continue to enjoy a lively drama scene; this weekend (Feb. 27-28), at least three stage productions are running:
1) It Came from Mars! a screwball comedy about a group of radio actors terrified by Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds broadcast, playing at Performance Network. Read a review.
2) Gravity, spotlighting the secret life of Isaac Newton, at Purple Rose in Chelsea.
3) Cheaper by the Dozen, based on the book by Frank Gilbreth, at Riverside Arts Center.
Why not pick a drama, style your hat, and head out?

...and we're back!

Mon, 02/15/2010 - 3:17pm by eli

Due to the construction next door, the fiber that connects the downtown library to our branches and to the internet (via the glass cabinet on the 2nd floor of the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum) needed to be rerouted to avoid the upcoming excavation. What was supposed to be a 15-minute splice actually took the contractor 5 hours to troubleshoot, but we're back up now! Thanks very much for your patience, and please contactus if you have any other questions or trouble.

Ice Skating and Winter: A high-performance combination

Tue, 01/26/2010 - 11:08am by annevm

Ice skating has a long, fascinating history in this area -- and the allure continues today. Earlier this month, U-M students Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates were headed to the national figure skating competition in Spokane, the Ann Arbor Observer reported. To see a discussion with Samuelson, Bates, and other skaters, check out our DVD The Life of a Figure Skater: Local Ice Dance Medalists Discuss National and International Competition.

Idol is Back!

Sat, 01/16/2010 - 10:56am by sarahc

American Idol returned to television this week with the first rounds of auditions for season 9. It's hard to believe the show has been on for that long! I only started watching a couple years ago, but Idol is strangely addicting, and no matter how many times I'm told that it's silly, that it's rigged, etc., I just can't turn the TV off. Not in the American Idol spirit yet? Get prepared for this new season (minus Paula, plus Ellen, and said to be Simon's last!) by checking out the latest albums from past Idol winners and contestants:

Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson: All I Ever Wanted
Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood: Play On
Season 5 finalist Chris Daughtry: Leave This Town
Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment

And if you’re feeling nostalgic for the “good old days”, here are a few lesser-known Idol contestants you might recall: Bo Bice, Fantasia, Kimberley Locke, Elliott Yamin.

Brewed in Ann Arbor

Thu, 01/14/2010 - 9:51am by amy

With another brewery set to open, this seems like a good time to reflect on the history of drinking and brewing in Ann Arbor. Local historian Grace Shackman has written about the old Ann Arbor Brewing Company on 4th Street and the once-popular Court Tavern. And did you know that an old West Side bar once stood on Bach school's playground? You can feast on several other articles detailing the history of drinking and dining in Ann Arbor...and while you're at it, why not raise a toast to Ann Arbor's Lost Eateries?

Downtown Library Closed this Sunday, 1/17

Tue, 01/12/2010 - 3:37pm by eli

Due to construction next door, the Downtown Library will be without power and will be closed this Sunday, January 17. The Senegal Family Cultural Celebration planned for Downtown will instead take place at Traverwood Branch and the Lecture on Mozart's Requiem has been moved to Pittsfield Branch. Due to the Downtown library being without power, branch computers will be out of order, and http://aadl.org and the library catalog will be down until power is restored to the server room. Wifi at the branches may be unavailable as well, although the branches will remain open and you'll still be able to check out items. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your patience! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this outage.

Preserving Your Photographic Heritage

Mon, 01/11/2010 - 11:46am by lucroe

How can you preserve and protect precious photographs so that memories may last for future generations? Learn how to protect your personal mementos with local experts. Dianna Samuelson of the Bentley Historical Library will explain how to preserve and restore photographs, while George Borel Jr. of Huron Camera Shop will give information on what can be done digitally to repair photos. Get a head start by checking out these books on .

Join us Wednesday January 13, 2010: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room for Preserving Your Photographic Heritage.

Annual Report Video Now Online

Mon, 12/21/2009 - 12:51pm by shannon riffe

50.5 million pageviews. 9.2 million transactions. Over 58,000 program attendees. See more library statistics from the past year in our Annual Report video.

A century ago: Christmas in Ann Arbor

Fri, 12/18/2009 - 11:00am by annevm

On Christmas, 1909, the staff of Fred Hoelzle's butcher shop worked all night cutting fresh meat for their customers' holiday celebrations. (Click on the photo for a larger view.) Read more about the shop and Metzger's restaurant in our digital collection of Then and Now columns from the Ann Arbor Observer.

An AADL card makes a wonderful gift!

Tue, 12/08/2009 - 2:28pm by dahlemd

Gift Certificates for AADL non-resident cards may be purchased at service desks at all AADL locations. The certificates are available for 3 months ($37.50), 6 months ($75.00), 9 months ($112.50) or one year ($150.00). The cost is the same whether the gift is for an individual or an entire family living at the same address. For those people you know who do not live in the Library district but would really love to be able to check out books, DVDs, CDs, art prints, and all of the other wonderful things available at the Ann Arbor District Library, consider this great gift idea. The certificate may be redeemed at any AADL location by filling out a short application and showing photo I.D. and proof of address. Certificates are available all year long and make wonderful gifts for many occasions.

The Original Green Machines: Electric Trolleys of Washtenaw County

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 12:43pm by Debbie G.

In the 1890s, electric mass transportation flourished in Washtenaw County, yet suddenly became extinct after only a few decades. What made this mode of transportation so popular and why did it die so quickly? Find out when authors H. Mark Hildebrandt and Martha Churchill join us to discuss their new book, 'Electric Trolleys of Washtenaw County' on Wed. Dec. 2nd, 7 p.m., at the Downtown Library. This event will include a book signing and books will be on sale courtesy of Nicola's Books.

Library Closed On Wednesday, November 11

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 9:59am by TimG

All locations of the Ann Arbor District Library will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11 for a staff training day.

Regular Library hours will resume on Thursday, November 12.

Forest Hill Cemetery Interpretive Tours

Wed, 10/21/2009 - 2:18pm by Caser

Founded in 1857, Forest Hill is Ann Arbor's oldest cemetery, rich in history and remarkably colorful this time of year. Indeed, it's a perfect time for an interpretive tour of the graveyard with local historian Wystan Stevens, who leads groups through the grounds with stories of Ann Arbor's history every Sunday from Oct. 4 - Nov. 8 starting at 2pm. Be sure to catch him this time around, for Stevens will end his popular 30 year tradition this year. The tours are $10 for adults and free for children, and they begin at the cemetery gate on Observatory, north of Geddes. Additional information is available at 734.662.5438. For a further glimpse into the lore of Michigan's past, try the books Ann Arbor Area Ghosts, and Ghost Towns of Michigan.

Now online: The Signal of Liberty newspaper

Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:05am by amy

Take a step back to the 1840s when a cord of hickory wood or "produce of every description" assured Ann Arborites a year's subscription to The Signal of Liberty--the voice of the Liberty Party in Michigan and the state's most prominent antislavery newspaper. Published in Ann Arbor above a shop on Broadway by Theodore Foster and Reverend Guy Beckley, whose home on Pontiac Trail was an important stop on the Underground Railroad, The Signal of Liberty brought Ann Arborites seven years of emotionally charged news from the many stories of slavery's outrages to the speeches of great statesmen and important national issues of the day, to more sobering local news, notices, and advertisements for dubious health cures. You can now browse The Signal of Liberty or search the full text online.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 3:35pm by Tahira

The extraordinary story of an unsung hero of the Civil Rights movement, Claudette Colvin, is told in this informational and inspirational book that is a National Book Award nominee.

Sign up for the Journey to Freedom tour

Tue, 10/06/2009 - 9:44am by amy

On Sunday, October 18, from 2-5:00 p.m., the African American Cultural & Historical Museum (AACHM) will host a special "Journey to Freedom" bus tour. This popular tour of historical points of interest on the Underground Railroad--an official tour of the National Park Service--is led by Deborah Meadows of the AACHM. The bus departs from the front of the Industrial Technology Building on the campus of Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron Drive. ( map) and tickets are $15. To reserve a seat, call 734-476-3158 or email deborahmeadows2@msn.com. This special tour accompanies the launch of The Signal of Liberty online, Saturday, October 17, from 2-4:00 p.m.

The Signal of Liberty, Ann Arbor's 1840s-era abolitionist newspaper, goes online

Tue, 10/06/2009 - 9:14am by amy

Join us at the Traverwood branch on Saturday, October 17, 2-4:00 p.m. to help us launch the online version of Ann Arbor's Signal of Liberty newspaper. The full text of this abolitionist newspaper, published in Ann Arbor in the 1840s, will be available online for the first time. Carol Mull, local historian of the Underground Railroad in Michigan, will be on hand at the launch to talk about some of the unique content in the Signal of Liberty and its role in her research; and Library staff will demonstrate browsing and full text access to over 12,000 articles and 312 issues of the newspaper. This project was done in partnership with the Bentley Historical Library and Digital Library Productions Services.

On Sunday, October 18, from 2-5:00 p.m., the African American Cultural and Historical Museum will host a related "Journey to Freedom" bus tour of local stops on the Underground Railroad. Click here for additional information about the tour.

Argo Dam: The Report

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 9:47am by Debbie G.

City staff prepared a 32-page Report briefing City Council on the options to consider in responding to the order by the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality regarding Argo Dam. City Council reviewed the report at a Sept. 8 public work session. The session will be replayed tonight Friday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. on CTN Channel 16.

Striking up the band for Labor Day

Sun, 09/06/2009 - 5:07pm by annevm

Otto’s Band used to help Ann Arbor celebrate Labor Day, marching from downtown to Schwaben Park at Madison and Fifth for a picnic for labor union members. Starting around 1875 and continuing for about 50 years, this fascinating band drummed up enthusiasm by marching in parades, playing at dances, giving concerts, and sending soldiers off to war. Once the band became professional, participants became the first local members of the musicians’ union. Among other honors was being the first to play the U-M fight song, “The Victors.” Read all about the band in Ann Arbor Observer Then and Now.

Welcome Precious by Nikki Grimes

Wed, 08/26/2009 - 2:06pm by Tahira

Welcome Precious is a poetic tribute to life and its wondrous pleasures by award winning author Nikki Grimes. The illustrations by Brian Collier are stunning.

The new aadl.org: week 2!

Wed, 08/26/2009 - 11:23am by eli

Thanks to all our patrons for such great feedback about the new catalog since its launch last week. We still have some things missing that we're working on, but a lot of changes have been made and fixes implemented based on your input, so please keep it coming. Here's what we're working on this week:

• Personal Card Catalog will be back with all your saved cards intact
• Adding sort by item type to the Checkout History screen
• Adding reviews and summaries back onto item record pages
• Fix for various Internet Explorer display issues including hidden copy lists
• Better support for special characters in the search

...plus whatever you uncover. As a bonus, if you use Firefox or Internet Explorer 7 or 8, you might try out this new aadl search plugin, thanks to one of our patrons!

Thanks again for all your continued patience and feedback as we've made this significant transition. If you're looking for last week's catalog thread, you can find it under About Us :: Library News.

Welcome to a new aadl.org!

Tue, 08/18/2009 - 8:07am by eli

Today we're pleased to release a completely rebuilt catalog on an upgraded website. The new catalog offers significantly improved performance and usability as well as numerous small enhancements throughout the site. That said, there are sure to be glitches, temporarily missing features, or tweaks yet to come, so please take a look around and let us know what you find and what you think, either by commenting on this post, or by contacting us. Thanks for your patience, and thanks for using the library!

Update: some older web browsers may have trouble using the menu bar buttons. We're working on this; for now, you should be able to go straight to myaccount or catalog. Thanks for your patience!

Catalog and My Account down for Upgrades Tuesday Morning

Mon, 08/17/2009 - 6:02pm by eli

Due to a system upgrade, the aadl.org Catalog and My Account pages will be unavailable Tuesday morning 8/18 starting at 7 AM. The rest of aadl.org will still be available. It is planned that the system will be back up before 9 AM. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Watch this space for updates, and thanks for your patience!

Traverwood Branch holds pickupTraverwood Branch holds pickup

Mon, 08/10/2009 - 1:10pm by choatec

Because of the Traverwood Branch's unanticipated closure on Sunday and Monday, August 9 and 10, holds that would have been ready for pickup through those two days will now be held through Thursday, August 13. Please check with desk staff if you have problems finding or checking out these items.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Adventures in Movement Moved to Downtown Library

Mon, 08/10/2009 - 9:39am by iottJen

Due to the unexpected maintenance situation at the Traverwood Branch, the Mon., Aug. 10 youth program 'Adventures in Movement' will be relocated to the Downtown Library. The event will be held 2-3 PM, and is for Grades K-3.

Dancing Fun!

Mon, 08/03/2009 - 12:10pm by StoryLaura

Imagine the grace and creativity of three recent University of Michigan's Department of Dance graduates. Now add the joy and spontaneity of children in grades Kindergarten through Third. A perfect recipe for a splendid afternoon with Adventures in Movement at the Traverwood Branch on Monday, August 10 at 2:00 pm. I can't wait to join in the fun with Jumping Off the Bandwagon!

Celebrate the AA Farmers Market

Sat, 08/01/2009 - 3:52pm by annevm

A 90th birthday celebration for the venerable Ann Arbor Farmers' Market is Saturday Aug. 8. Stop by for gelato, music, birthday cake, and kids' activities. Vendors and market goers will tell stories at the Oral History Booth from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. To get excited about market history, see The Farmers’ Market Bounces Back and Reinventing the Farmers' Market in Ann Arbor Observer: Then and Now, a rich collection of more than 100 articles recently archived by AADL.

Silent Music: A Story of Bagdad by James Rumford

Thu, 07/23/2009 - 3:13pm by Tahira

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Ali wants to be a master calligrapher like Yukat, a famous calligrapher who went to a high tower to practice when the Mongols attacked Iraq. As bombs fall upon Iraq once again, Ali like Yukat uses calligraphy to escape the horror of war. Readers experience how Ali feels when the word WAR flows from his pen but the word PEACE struggles to get on the page. A compelling and heatbreaking look into the life of a child of war.

Five women cook up some local history in 1899

Sun, 07/12/2009 - 12:39pm by amy

While testing the recipes in Ann Arbor Cooks you can savor an extra slice of Ann Arbor history: Several recipes, particularly within the 1899 Ann Arbor Cookbook, bear the names of prominent Ann Arbor citizens. On your next visit to Allmendinger Park you can take along Miss E. C. Allmendinger's Quince Tents; or you can enjoy Mrs. W. B. Hinsdale's Cream Puffs at the Broadway Park near the former intersection of 19th century Indian trails mentioned in her husband's book, The Indians of Washtenaw County. Mrs. Junius Beal probably whipped up her Marguerites at her home on the corner of 5th Avenue and William St., now the site of the Downtown library. Mrs. Samuel W. Beakes, whose husband wrote The Past and Present of Washtenaw County, baked Excellent Cocoanut Cookies, and Mrs. Frank Kelsey actually makes Prune Pudding sound...ok.

The names Allmendinger, Hinsdale, Beal, Beakes and Kelsey are frequently cited within the text and image collections of The Ann Arbor Observer: Then & Now, Ann Arbor Founders, The Downtown Ann Arbor Historical Street Exhibit and The Making of Ann Arbor.

July 4 - Independence Day Action

Fri, 07/03/2009 - 2:09pm by ryanikoglu

4th of July is "Independence Day".
Celebrate "Independence" by learning personal stories of people who have stretched the definition of civil liberty in US history.
Our Children Can Soar
Madame President
Elizabeth Leads The Way
American Heroes: Robert Smalls
River Of Words: Story Of William Carlos Williams
Boy Named Beckoning:True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma