Blog Post
Glow Lab!
by evelyn
Want to learn how things glow? Come to the Glow Lab on June 22nd at 1pm at the Pittsfield branch! We’ll learn about what makes objects and animals glow, crunch on some candy that sparks, and make light magnets to take home.
Want to get a head start? Check out some of these books!
Creatures that Glow, by Kris Hirschmann
Creatures that Glow, by Joanne Barkan
Cold Light: Creatures, Discoveries, and Inventions that Glow, by Anita Sitarski
Glow-in-the-Dark Animals, by Natalie Lunis
Animals that Glow, by Judith Presnall
This event is for kids aged K-5.Glow logo used with permission from http://www.glowinc.com
Blog Post
3D Printing with All Hands Active: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Saturday June 16, 2012 -- Downtown Library
by OneillT
3D Printing has been featured on CNN, the Colbert Report, and in Time Magazine, and now this technology is coming to the AADL! Learn about how these machines turn computer sketches into objects, watch one work, and practice making and customizing designs.
Led by Ann Arbor's All Hands Active, this workshop will introduce participants to this quickly developing technology. We’ll see how a 3D Printer works to create objects before your eyes, and even experiment with designing some objects using the freely available Google Sketchup. Participants will be able to submit simple designs to be printed and picked up at a later date.
This event will be held in the Training Center on the third floor of the Downtown Library and is intended for all ages.
Blog Post
Free MiniMaker Faire this Saturday, June 2
by OneillT
Saturday, June 2 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Saline Fairgrounds
The Ann Arbor MiniMaker Faire returns this Saturday! The fourth annual free event will be held this Saturday, June 2, at the Saline Fairgrounds. There will be exhibits and demonstrations by builders, artists, students, and Makers covering a range of subjects: robotics, learn to solder, and mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, wood, metal, glass, paper, microcontroller, and radio-controlled devices of all sorts.
More information is available at the a2makerfaire.com.
Blog Post
Crafty Magazines for Kids
by Caser
Fun, new, crafty ideas for kids are always waiting for you at the AADL. Check out the Library's diverse range of youth magazines for your next in-home project, be it a dynamic science experiment, a creative craft, or a racing vehicle.
Let's start with Muse: the magazine of life, the universe, and pie throwing. Yes, "pie throwing" really is in the magazine title, for this publication is all about maximizing the fun while learning about the natural world. Several of their science experiments are on their website, including the relevant Cell Phone Slip Up experiment that tests whether talking on a cell phone affects your concentration.
You may have seen Family Fun kids: fun stuff to make and do on the magazine shelf and wondered what kinds of projects were hiding inside. From Candle Making 101 to Cozy Bird Cottages to French Toast Casserole recipes (YUM!), this magazine -- as well as its website -- is a well so deep with ideas that if Tikki Tikki Tembo fell in, he might never come back out.
The AADL owns 68 youth magazine titles covering topics such as crafts, science, homeschooling, gaming, music, sports, nature, and everything in between. You can now request magazines for pickup at your local branch library.
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
Sustainable Farmer and Entrepreneur Joel Salatin to Visit Ann Arbor
by prlhw
Joel Salatin, the well-known organic farmer, will be coming to Ann Arbor's Michigan Theater on Tuesday, April 24th by way of the People's Food Co-op of Ann Arbor (PFC), to "share how his farm serves as a prototype to the way local food can lead to our agricultural, environmental, and nutritional salvation. Noting that our food system now faces challenges in biosecurity, food safety, energy, integrity, and humane animal husbandry, he will explain how local production, processing, distribution, and patrons in the Ann Arbor area can reshape our food future."
Salatin's ideas and progress in the world of sustainable farming have been featured in Michael Pollan’s bestselling book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, in the documentary films Food, Inc. and Fresh, and also in his very own books, Folks, this Ain't Normal and Holy Cows and Hog Heaven. "Since his cutting-edge sustainable farm, Polyface Inc., began inspiring people throughout the world, his charismatic nature and ability to produce provocative and poignant proclamations about the unfortunate state of our food system have made him one of the most influential voices in the sustainable food movement today."
The event will take place at the Michigan Theater in Downtown Ann Arbor on Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $15 for the General Public, and $13 for Students & PFC Members. Available at ticketmaster.com or surcharge-free at the People's Food Co-op of Ann Arbor.
Blog Post
Wednesday: 3D Printing at Workantile!
by OneillT
Wednesday, February 7, Workantile will be offering a two hour design/manufacture how-to for 3D Printing. You'll be able to see how it works, learn how, and walk out with your own design in the same night! The class will be taught by David Erik Nelson, author of Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred: Seriously Geeky Stuff to Make With Your Kids, and the world-traveling Maker vagabonds Bilal and Alex. The group will be making iPhone cases, belt buckles, jewelry--or whatever else you can design together. Just bring an idea and a laptop and you're all set.
Interested? More information can be found here.
or by emailing Dave at dave@davidericknelson.com
Happy Making!
Blog Post
Fabric Printing Workshop
by manz
At this hands-on workshop you’ll get a chance to pull your own screen printed tea towel to take home. We’ll also get you caught up on all things related to printing up stylish towels. Hand printed tea towels are a great way to add a bit of whimsy to one’s kitchen, as they’re both colorful and creative!
We’ll also have linoleum blocks carved and ready for you to use to stamp a design onto a fat quarter of fabric. You can then do what you will with the fabric! You can use it in a plethora of handmade projects, including: A throw pillow, a bag, a placemat, for appliques, and more. It’s up to you. You’ll leave the workshop with a tea towel and a fat quarter, ready to add some sparkle to your abode.
To expand upon the joy of printing on fabric, here are some crafty books to get you going.
This DIY event is for grade 6 – Adult, and takes place at Pittsfield on Tuesday, February 7, from 7-8:30pm.
Blog Post
Block Printing Workshop @ Pittsfield
by manz
At this block printing workshop you will create a design, carve the design into a linoleum block with the proper tools, and then print the image onto paper and/or note cards. This is your chance to create wall art, or perhaps design a card.
Did you attend a past workshop at AADL and are looking for more instruction, ideas and practice? Or are you a first timer wondering what block printing is all about? This workshop is for you.
We will supply all the tools necessary, you supply the creativity! If you have something you’d like to print on, or have your own tools, feel free to bring them.
Don't forget to check out some of AADL’s books on block printing for a spark of ideas.
This DIY event is for Grades 6- Adult, and takes place at Pittsfield on Wednesday, December 14, from 6:30-8:30pm. See you there!
Blog Post
Next Week In Booklists
by jaegerla
Important Dates for the Week of October 2 to October 8
Sunday October 2 Phileas Fogg's Wager Day
Monday October 3 German Unity Day
Tuesday October 4 World Space Week begins on October 4 and runs through October 10. This year the celebration commemorates 50 Years of Human Spaceflight.
Wednesday October 5 Balloons Around the World Day. Make someone smile with balloon art.
Thursday October 6 Wear your best hat for Mad Hatter Day
Friday October 7 National Denim Day
Saturday October 8 National Pierogy Day
Always remember that every day is a celebration!