Drop-in For Halloween Art Tools Crafts At The Downtown Library

Fri, 10/24/2014 - 4:59pm by Employee 37

Visit the Downtown library anytime through October 31 to create your own Halloween papercrafts. We're supplying the same die-cutting machines that you can borrow from our new Art Tools collection, along with every Halloween themed die we could get our hands on including bats, owls, witches, cats, pumpkins, ghosts & more. Die-cutting works by placing the material to be cut, like paper, cardstock or craft metal on top of a die that contains safety foam and a blade, which you run through a roller press to cut or emboss your design. We're supplying scrap paper for you to try it out, but If you want to get super fancy or make something in large quantities then you're welcome to bring in your own decorative paper and supplies. Hollander's is just a quick walk down 4th Ave! Look for the Art Tools craft table near the desk on the 1st floor at the Downtown library.

New Collection: Art Tools!

Thu, 10/02/2014 - 4:00pm by Employee 37

Attention papercrafters! You can now borrow Sizzix Big Shot die-cutting kits. Die-cutters let you cut or emboss shapes out of a variety of materials, from paper to thicker card stock, felt, and even thin aluminum if you're brave enough to cup up your old pop cans. Each kit contains a variety of dies and one rolling machine, you just supply the consumables like paper and glue. Die-cutting kits are great for back to school projects, scrapbooking, card making, party decorations and more. The Big Shots are shelved Downtown, currently circulate for one week and are requestable. Parental supervision is recommended as the dies contain sharp edges. More Art Tools are forthcoming and you can watch aadl.org/arttools for the latest updates.

Observing a Meteor Shower

Tue, 08/12/2014 - 11:24am by amy

The Perseid Meteor Shower is peaking right now and although the weather in Ann Arbor isn't exactly cooperating tonight, it looks like it may clear up in the next couple days. So prepare yourself for a shower of comet debris by grabbing one of our new binoculars, part of our collection of Science Tools. Even if the moon outshines the shower, at least you'll have the perfect tool for gazing at the mountains and craters of the moon.

Head Downtown to Check Out Lawn Games For The Weekend

Fri, 07/25/2014 - 12:36pm by Employee 37

Today is a great day to visit the Downtown Library and check our recently expanded [Games] collection. We've got giant garden checkers and dominoes, disc golf kits and colorful scoop ball sets, giant tumble towers, metal detectors & more. Also, we highly recommend that you get your Scandinavian lawn games fix with a set of Kubb (pronounced coob) the ancient viking lawn game of chance and skill. Most games circulate for one week and some can be requested, but most are offered on a first-available basis.

Permaculture: Practical solutions for self-reliance

Thu, 07/24/2014 - 4:02pm by annevm

One of our newer magazine subscriptions at the library is to Permaculture: Practical solutions for self-reliance">Permaculture. This magazine is a "bestselling international green-environmental magazine (with) inspiring articles written by leading experts alongside the readers' own tips and solutions," their website states. More from the website: "Published quarterly, this pioneering magazine is full of money-saving ideas for your home, garden and community. It features thought provoking articles on organic gardening; food and drink; renewable technology and green building; education, health and economics; transition towns and ecovillages; personal and community development; and sustainable agriculture and agro-forestry." Permaculture magazine also runs reviews of new books, DVDs, tools, courses, and access to contacts. Sounds like a good one!

Anatomy Model Kits Now Available For Checkout!

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 12:50pm by Employee 37

Visit the Downtown Library to check out our new anatomy model kits. Each kit contains one model and several awesome anatomy books. Open little windows to peek inside a 3x life-size heart, give your Einsteinian noodle a workout with a 9-piece brain puzzle and get an up close look at all the functional bits inside a giant eye. If you're feeling adventurous there's also a full size skeleton named Stan! The entire anatomy model collection is browsable at aadl.org/sciencetools

Games People Play

Thu, 05/22/2014 - 12:45pm by aadl staff

Just in time for summer, we have added games to our list of Unusual Stuff to Borrow. But, not just any ol' games! We now have giant-sized versions of small games and small-sized versions of giant games. Available only Downtown, we have giant lawn Checkers, giant Dominos, a mini Ping Pong table, Kubb and more, available for all AADL cardholders to check out.

The games are limited in quantity, and are on a first-come first-serve basis; they may not be renewed or requested. You can see the full catalog list of games here.

UMSI MakerFest

Fri, 03/21/2014 - 7:43pm by skcramer

Are you interested in finding out more about the University of Michigan’s new Bachelor of Science in Information degree? Would you like to watch a demo of Google Glass, see a 3-D printer in action, learn how to crochet, or play with some of AADL’s music tools? If so, then you should definitely check out the UMSI MakerFest on Wednesday, March 26th from 12-2 PM at the Michigan Union.

So what is a MakerFest? UMSI's MakerFest grew out of the Maker Movement, which encourages people to combine their love of crafts and DIY projects with innovative technologies. MakerFest is an opportunity for "makers" of all types to get together, try out new tools, and most importantly, make new things.

This event is cosponsored by the School of Information, the Center for Campus Involvement, Ann Arbor District Library, All Hands Active, MakerWorks, U-M Computer and Video Game Archives, and Michigan Makers.

You can find out more at the UMSI MakerFest Facebook page.

Who Doesn't Love Tyrannosaurus Rex?

Thu, 02/13/2014 - 6:12pm by Employee 37

If I could choose one way to die - being eaten by a T-Rex. Happy Valentines Day! We've just shelved the newest addition to our growing Science Tools collection, a Tyrannosaurus Rex 1.2 kit. You get not one, not two but three detailed T-rex models; a cast of the current world record holding largest T-rex tooth yet discovered; one cast of a T-rex foot claw; and a cast of its brain; along with the supercool adventurer/travelogue book Dinosaur by Stephanie Stansbie and a copy of the DVD Dinosaurs Decoded. Visit the Downtown Library to check out the Stuff Shelf, where you can also find our Tyrannosaurus Rex 1 and Tyrannosaurus Rex 2 kits, along with our other Science Tools, Music Tools and Home Tools. Watch for Art Tools coming soon!

Meet the OP-1 from Teenage Engineering

Sat, 02/08/2014 - 12:55pm by Employee 37

Now available for checkout is the OP-1 synthesizer from Teenage Engineering. This is one of the coolest little synths we've played with in a long time. It comes loaded with 24 voices, 8 synth engines, a super neat sequencer and a 4 track virtual tape machine, all topped off with a superbly designed user interface that is amazingly fun to interact with. Visit the Downtown Stuff Shelf to borrow one today, and while you're there check out our other Music Tools, Science Tools and Home Tools.