Blog Post
Michigan Park and Read Runs Through Oct. 1
by annevm
The Michigan Park and Read program runs through Oct. 1, so why not take advantage of the fall weather? To check out a pass, visit any AADL location with your library card. Your Park and Read pass allows you to avoid paying the Recreation Passport entry fee into Michigan state parks and recreation areas. In Southeast Michigan the list includes Pinckney Recreation Area, Maybury State Park, and Waterloo Recreation Area. Passes are also good at 11 museums and historic sites, including Mann House and Walker Tavern. You can use your pass during daytime hours for seven days from checkout. Some parks loan hammocks, in case you'd like to stretch out and read a good book or magazine you may want to check out. Very tempting!
Blog Post
Images from the Past: The Making of Ann Arbor
by annevm
Several years ago, when a patron needed an image of the old entrance to the U-M hospital, we suggested he look in The Making of Ann Arbor. Eureka! He found a colorful postcard image and printed it.
Other researchers in The Making of Ann Arbor website find similar success as they search or browse through several image collections and full-text of books. Nicknamed "MoAA," this website was created through a collaboration among AADL, the Bentley Historical Library, and the U-M Digital Library Production Services. You can use it for research or just to enjoy browsing through a collection of postcards, historic buildings, advertisements, and maps of early Ann Arbor.
Access to this and any of our other reference databases and resources is available at every branch of the AADL, as well as from outside the library with a valid AADL library card. For access from an outside location, please sign in to your library account, visit our reference database page, and navigate to the desired resource. To access The Making of Ann Arbor database, go to the research page and select The Making of Ann Arbor from the Ann Arbor category.
Blog Post
Bus riders! TransitTime + has added AATA's The Ride to its app
by sernabad
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority just announced that the award-winning app, TransitTimes + has added Ann Arbor to its list of more than 50 cities that provide details about their transportation modes to this popular app.
Now you can easily locate The Ride's bus schedules, the location of your particular bus and its arrival time, or map out and save a route to a new location.
To see how easy this app is to use, check out TransitTimes' YouTube channel here.
For more information about this app and to see the growing list of U.S. and international cities being added all the time, click here.
Blog Post
Looking for a telescope? Try Peach Mountain!
by amy
If you're in line for a Library telescope but not all that familiar with the night sky, consider attending one of the public open houses scheduled twice a month at Peach Mountain. Hosted by the University Lowbrow Astronomers, these open houses are a great way to learn what there is to find in the night sky with experienced observers and powerful telescopes. In addition to looking through members' scopes, you can also look through the 24-inch McMath telescope located on site, or simply gaze in awe at the silhouette of the 26-meter radio dish.
Public open houses are scheduled twice a month at Peach Mountain, 16 miles northwest of Ann Arbor, off North Territorial Rd in Stinchfield Woods. Guidelines, parking information, and a map are here. Open houses will be cancelled if conditions are unusually cold or if it's cloudy. If in doubt, call (734) 975-3248 after 4 p.m. the day of the event to determine the status.
The remaining open house dates through this season are: May 19, June 16, June 23, July 14, July 21, August 11, August 18, and September 15.
Blog Post
Ann Arbor Mini Maker Faire: Call for contributors!
by OneillT
We are excited to announce the Call for Makers for the 4th Ann Arbor “Mini” Maker Faire, to be held Saturday June 2, 2012, at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Faire features exhibits and activities in robots, green tech, science, radio, rocketry, unusual tools/techniques, fixing and/or taking things apart, and other areas, all with an emphasis on “do it yourself.” Last year’s Faire drew over 1,400 people to engage in activities such as learning to solder and silk screening t-shirts, and saw exhibits such as hearing the neural activity of a cockroach leg, a giant “Simon Says” game, a DIY satellite to test an ion engine in space, pop-up books with a master of paper folding, gigantic vortex cannon, robots galore, computer vision, and much more.
Apply now to be an exhibitor! Additional information and an online application form are at http://www.a2makerfaire.com. The application deadline is May 13, 2012.
The Faire is free to exhibitors and visitors alike. It is organized by the group a2 geeks (http://www.a2geeks.org), a newly organized Ann Arbor area non-profit foundation promoting the informal technology culture in the greater Ann Arbor area. The Faire is a local, community version of the major Maker Faires in the Bay area and in New York City.
The mission of the Ann Arbor Mini Maker Faire is to present interesting or unique exhibits, individuals, and demonstrations in DIY science, technology, engineering, and art that excite, motivate, and educate. The emphasis is on cool things, skills, and knowledge. As a shorthand, the exhibits should be the kind of thing you’d see in Make Magazine.
Blog Post
VISIONS 2012 Vendor Fair: What's New In Technology And Services for the Blind And Visually Impaired
by hillary dorwart
Wednesday May 9, 2012: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
@ Washtenaw Community College - Morris Lawrence Building - 4800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 (map)
This 2012 VISIONS Vendor Fair is presented by the Ann Arbor District Library (which also serves as the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled) and is cosponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind and Washtenaw Community College.
A variety of Michigan exhibitors will demonstrate the latest products and services for the blind and visually impaired. Magnifiers, electronic readers, Braille devices, library services, CCTVs, leader dogs, support services for the blind and transportation services are just a few of the many outstanding services and products on display. There is no admission charge and ample free parking is available.
Download and print the 2012 VISIONS flyer to learn the full schedule of the day and other details.
Blog Post
Memory In the Mirror: A Workshop For Any Woman Who Has Experienced The Loss Of A Mother
by hillary dorwart
Sunday May 6, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB
At this time of year when everyone is preparing to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day, it is important to create a time to honor the memories of parents who have died, whether the death was recent or in the past. This workshop, presented by Arbor Hospice's Grief Support Services, will focus on ways to include our parents in the legacy we create in our own lives. Participants will share experiences and reflect on how their parent's death has influenced their lives.
Blog Post
Fun Friday Night at the U-M Museum of Natural History
by amy
The U-M Museum of Natural History is having their Fun Friday Night tomorrow, May 4, 2012. They'll be staying open until 9:00 p.m. to offer dinosaur tours and other activities, including several discounted ($3) planetarium shows - at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 - that focus on what you can see in the night sky. If you're waiting to check out one of our new circulating telescopes and aren't familiar with the constellations and stargazing in general, this is a great first step toward getting the most out of your telescope when it comes in! The Museum also holds regularly scheduled weekend planetarium shows throughout the year.
Blog Post
More Than Senior Moments: Understanding Early Signs of Memory Changes
by hillary dorwart
Wednesday April 25, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
Join us for this session as we explore early signs of memory loss with several University of Michigan memory and aging experts.
Topics include: Mild Cognitive Impairment; genetic testing; potential new medications for memory loss; communication skills; and memory and aging research opportunities available at UM. J. Scott Roberts, Ph.D. Associate Professor in the UM Department of Health Behavior & Health Education and Co-Director of the UM dual-degree program in Public Health and Genetic Counseling will be the keynote speakers.
A Q&A session will follow, featuring a panel of experts.
This event is co-sponsored by the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, The Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center and the UM Taubman Health Sciences Library.
Blog Post
Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums 2012: Community
by hillary dorwart
Thursday April 12, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
This final in a series of four monthly discussions co-sponsored by the City of Ann Arbor focuses on Community and includes discussion on housing, economic development, public safety, recreation, outreach, civic engagement, and stewardship of community resources. The presentation will examine past successes and challenges, and feature a think tank of local stakeholders. The ensuing discussions will help guide the city's sustainability planning efforts.
View Ann Arbor's current environmental goals.