aadl.org Catalog and My Account Downtime Tonight

Tue, 06/30/2009 - 3:24pm by eli

June 30 marks the end of AADL's fiscal year, and our catalog system needs to be taken offline to run and finalize our annual statistics. The catalog and my account pages will be unavailable starting at 9 PM tonight, Tuesday June 30, and will be back up before 9 AM on Wednesday, July 1. Thanks for your patience, and we apologize for the inconvenience!

Baby & PreK Bits - FARM

Tue, 06/30/2009 - 11:34am by ryanikoglu

Ms. Rachel is doing FARMS this week in Preschool Storytime and Baby PlayGroups.
For the youngest children:
Farmer Doogie has plenty to do each day.
Follow a Hen on her walk around the farm in Rosie's Walk.
Sing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" along with Victor Johnson in the CD Country Blues for Kids.
For kids who like more of a story:
The farm is a noisy place in Too Much Noise.
Thunder Cake is what you make when a huge thunder storm is coming. You can get the recipe in the book.
Year at Maple Hill Farm is a wonderfully illustrated, highly-detailed view of what farms do. It is a great read-share book to spend luxury lap-time with.

The Ann Arbor Observer: Then & Now

Mon, 06/22/2009 - 11:16am by amy

This Wednesday, June 24, we'll be launching Ann Arbor Observer: Then & Now, a new site with searching and browsing access to over 130 full-text articles on local history written for the Ann Arbor Observer over the past three decades by local historian and author, Grace Shackman. Stop by for a demonstration of the site, refreshments, and a lively discussion by Grace and Observer editor, John Hilton, at 7:00 p.m. in the Downtown lower level Multi-Purpose Room.

DVD Bits - Young @ Heart

Fri, 06/19/2009 - 4:55pm by ryanikoglu

Young @ Heart is a DVD title being passed around in my family from Washington State to Dallas to New Hampshire. It provides great perspective on living life! In view of this film, pop song lyrics take on completely new meanings....
Young at Heart Chorus is based in Northampton, Massachusetts. See the final weeks of rehearsal for the group, whose average age is 81. Their music is unexpected, performing songs that range from James Brown to Coldplay. The group has toured Europe and sung for royalty.

Birmingham 1963 by Carole Boston Weatherford

Fri, 06/19/2009 - 3:41pm by Tahira

Birmingham, 1963 recounts the tragic event that took place at the Sixteenth Street Baptist church where four children were killed by a bomb. The story is told through the eyes of a young girl who is in church on that fateful day. Photographs of protest marches and the aftermath of the bombing are paired with the text. A photograph of a stained glass window with the face of Jesus blown out by the bomb is chilling.

Kid Bits - Pencil Action

Wed, 06/17/2009 - 1:59pm by ryanikoglu

Got Pencils or Crayons? Get Movin'....
The NEW Books Shelf has NEW Drawing Books for Kids.
You might be an Artiste!
How To Draw Incredible Cars
Drawing: The Only Drawing Book You'll Ever Need
Draw 50 Baby Animals
Draw 50 Princesses
Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make A World
The Draw 50 Way
You might even illustrate your own book someday.

Listen to the Wind by Greg Mortenson

Wed, 05/27/2009 - 2:34pm by Tahira

Listen to the Wind is the inspiring story of Greg Mortenson’s effort to bring peace to the world by building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The books colorful collage illustrations augment the theme of unity, and hope.

Way Up and Over Everything by Alice McGill

Thu, 05/21/2009 - 10:17am by Tahira

Many stories are told about slaves who escaped to freedom. Some stories told of slaves who could fly. Passed down from one generation to the next, Way Up and Over Everything is a poignant tale for anyone who dreams to be free.

Library Closed On Memorial Day

Sun, 05/17/2009 - 1:08pm by TimG

All locations of the Ann Arbor District Library will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday May 25.

Regular Library hours will resume on Tuesday, May 26.

More about the new air handlers

Sun, 05/17/2009 - 9:06am by Clarence Cromwell

Delivery of the library's new air handlers raised passing interest and even mild titillation among the characteristically blase citizens of this teeming sub-metropolis. For the first time in half a century, patrons on the west side of the downtown branch quaffed un-handled air. Ken Raynor snapped a series of photographs to record the event for posterity.

WolframAlpha--New Search Engine That Answers Your Questions!

Sat, 05/16/2009 - 2:23pm by elijah

Do you need fast answers and facts? You can always call or visit the Ann Arbor District Library!

...

But this is not an advertisement for you favorite local library. Submitted for your approval is a new type of search engine under the name of WolframAlpha. This engine has new, unusual features. It will try to compile and calculate information for the searcher. Give it a try! Here are some suggested searches to try (courtesy of the website):

enter any date (e.g. a birth date)
enter any town (e.g. a home town)
enter any two stocks
enter any calculation
enter any math formula
enter any two first names
enter any food
enter any measurement
enter any chemical formula
enter any musical notes

If you try these you will find calculations and charts for mathematical problems, statistics from towns, stock comparisons, and more.

Give it a try, then leave comments here on how effective the engine is!

Teen Volunteers Needed at AADL

Fri, 05/15/2009 - 9:43am by K.C.

AADL needs teen volunteers to help sign up summer reading participants June 12-26. Interested? You need to:

-be in grades 6-12 in the fall,
-attend training Friday, June 12, 2:00-3:00 p.m.,
-work both weeks (June 12-June 26).

Stop by the branch (West, Malletts Creek, Pittsfield, or Traverwood) at which you are interested in helping. Go to the reference desk, sign up, and take forms to complete. Return completed forms by Friday, June 5.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, traitor to the nation : the Pox party by M.T. Anderson

Tue, 05/12/2009 - 3:05pm by Tahira

Given the best education, clothing and food, Octavian lives the life of a prince unaware that he is being used to determine the intellectual acuity of the African race. M.T. Anderson delivers a powerful novel, written in 18th-century language, that will challenge readers both intellectually and emotionally.

Thank You for Being a Friend

Wed, 04/29/2009 - 7:03pm by lly

Beatrice "Bea" Arthur passed away a few days ago, on April 25. Arthur was the star of two highly-acclaimed comedy shows, Maude and Golden Girls. AADL owns many discs of The Golden Girls, so why not celebrate her life by watching a few episodes?

Kid Bits - May Day

Wed, 04/29/2009 - 5:05pm by ryanikoglu

With May Day and Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, you can read about why these days are special in the following books for kids:
Rainbow Tulip
On The Morn Of MayFest
Miss Flora McFlimsey's May Day
Cinco de Mayo
The Perfect Pinata = La Pinata Perfecta

Fifty Years of Books and Authors

Tue, 04/28/2009 - 10:54am by annevm

Since about 1958, a lively local book group -- under the umbrella of the U-M Faculty Women's Club -- has been reading favorite books and meeting to discuss them. Several years ago members hosted Peter Ho Davies, and last night, Michael Byers, author of Long for this World, who even received a copy of the group's 1958-2009 reading list to take home with him. For an idea of this group's tastes, visit LibraryThing.

AADL Blogs

Tue, 04/28/2009 - 10:19am by manz

I’m sure many aadl.org visitors are familiar with the staff written blogs that show up on the main catalog page. If you don’t wish to read through them all and just want to read ones on music, magazines, or perhaps movies, with a few clicks you can. Blogs are accessible on various pages of aadl.org, under Services, Events, Research, etc. (You can also see a refined list by clicking on the blog’s categories.) Did you know there is a Local History blog and a Developer’s blog? Have a peek! Here is a quick list of the blogs, with a quick link so you can easily RSS them and stay on top of AADL and community happenings.

Kid Craft - Mini Pinatas

Mon, 04/27/2009 - 4:38pm by ryanikoglu

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It's May !!!
It's time to celebrate May Day and Cinco de Mayo and Springtime !
Come to Malletts Creek Branch on Saturday, May 2, between 1:00-2:30pm.
We will make "Dulce Senoritas".
A "Dulce Senorita" is a Guatamalan party decoration that hides sweet treats inside.

This Craft is for kids in grades k-5. Kids in grades k-2 may require individual attention. Kids will decorate a paper cone with colored paper, and hide the sweets inside to take home.

Traverwood Branch Reopened

Sun, 04/26/2009 - 11:22am by eli

The Traverwood Branch is again open today, Sunday 4/26, after a brief power outage. Thanks for your patience!

Stichin' and Pullin' - a Gee's Bend Quilt by Patricia McKissack

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 3:25pm by Tahira

Woven together like patches in a quilt, history is told and remembered and shared in this remarkable book by award winning author Patricia McKissack.

PreKBits - BarnYard Banter

Tue, 04/21/2009 - 9:41am by ryanikoglu

Ms.Rachel is doing FARM theme this week. You can read her stories or try some others.
Golly Gump Swallowed A Fly is out of print, but you can find I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly at the Library.
The Three Little Pigs classic by Paul Galdone; Another version by James Marshall; and a DVD version by Rabbit Ears Storybook Classics Three Little Pigs.
There's A Cow In The Cabbage Patch where all the animals are in the wrong homes on the farm until ... dinner time!
Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! wants to get the rabbits out of the garden.
or pick your own farm story from the Catalog list.

Kid Bits - Retro TV

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 2:10pm by ryanikoglu

Here's a television series Today's Kids did not grow-up on. If your kids like the Sesame Street puppets, and are beginning to understand jokes ... take home one of the Muppet Show DVDs and laugh together. Get re-acquainted with Rowlf the Dog, Swedie Chef, Vet's Hospital, Dr. Teeth, Statler and Waldorf, and more.

PreK Bits - Gardens

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 12:53pm by ryanikoglu

Ms. Rachel's doing garden stories this week. Follow the theme with these books for little gardeners.
The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater
Tops And Bottoms a rascally rabbit tale by Janet Stevens
Frog And Toad Together by Arnold Lobel
City Green by Dyanne DiSalvo-Ryan
Muncha Muncha Muncha by Candace Fleming
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
or find your own treasures in the catalog using subject + gardens fiction.
Let it rain and shine.

Sidney Fine, who taught history at UM for 53 years, has died

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 10:50am by amy

Beloved historian Sidney Fine, who taught at the University of Michigan for 53 years, died Tuesday at the age of 88. Professor Fine is thought to have held the longest active teaching career in UM history, teaching over 26,000 over the course of his career before he retired in 2001. Read more about Mr. Fine on wikipedia and his obituary in the Detroit Free Press.

Kid Bits - Earth Days

Thu, 04/02/2009 - 1:38pm by ryanikoglu

Earth Day comes with Spring Days and we can use them all year 'round.
READ about recycling:
Old Blue Buggy
Joseph Had A Little Overcoat
Dumpster Diver
Recycle Everyday
Read about Conservation:
Green Buildings
One Well: The Story Of Water On Earth
Julia Butterfly Hill: Saving The Giant Redwoods

Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie by Robbin Gourley

Wed, 04/01/2009 - 3:39pm by Tahira

Edna Lewis grew up in Freetown, Virginia on fresh fruits and vegetables harvested from her family’s crops. Experience the taste and smells of harvest time in a story inspired by this famous chef in Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie by Robbin Gourley.

Earth Hour

Fri, 03/27/2009 - 4:01pm by aschling

What are you doing Saturday between 8:30 and 9:30 pm? You could be participating in Earth Hour March 28 2009.
This international event is organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature/World Wildlife Fund and was started in Australia. It is asked that non-essential lights, appliances and electronics be turned off from 8:30pm-9:30pm.
Last year over 400 cities and 35 countries patricipated. Find out how different countries celebrate Earth Hour!
Earth Hour was started to raise awareness of climate change.
If you are interested in ways you can save energy or be more sustainable, check out these books from the catalog: How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint, Easy green living: the ultimate guide to simple, eco-friendly choices for you and your home, Green by design : creating a home for sustainable living

When Louis Armstrong Taught Me Scat by Muriel Harris Weinstein

Wed, 03/25/2009 - 5:40pm by Tahira

Learn how to scat like Louis Armstrong in When Louis Armstrong Taught Me Scat.
Dooblee-Dee-Doo, Oh Yeaah!

PreK Bits - DOGGIES

Tue, 03/24/2009 - 12:43pm by ryanikoglu

Ms. Rachel's Storytime is sponsored by "D" this week ... for DOGGIES !
Find these dog stories.
Dog Day when the kids get a new teacher in school.
Stanley's Beauty Contest where Stanley shows what "beauty" is.
Not Afraid Of Dogs, "I just don't like them".
Please Don't Tease Tootsie for how to treat dogs and cats.
The Dog From Arf! Arf! tp ZZZ for a complete dog alphabet.
Woof!
Find more in the catalog when you choose subject "dogs fiction" and limit to "youth" and "books".

The first piano in Ann Arbor

Mon, 03/23/2009 - 3:50pm by amy

(Submitted by Wystan Stevens)

This is the house where little Lucy Ann Clark (later Mrs. Judge James Kingsley) played the piano that made the Potawatomi Indians dance. (Her instrument was the first piano in Ann Arbor, and the first west of Detroit in Michigan Territory.) The site of this house is now the outdoor area of the Downtown Home and Garden store, on Ashley at Liberty. In the left background of the photo is a building on First Street with a lot of lettering on its walls. Can anyone make out what the lettering says. (Click on the photo for a larger view.)

"Sometimes when Miss Clark played, the Indians would lurk around the door and windows and some would dance on the strip of bare floor at the edge of the room that the carpet was not wide enough to cover." (From the Cornelia Corselius papers).