Neutral Zone Poetry Workshop

Sunday February 1, 2015: 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
Teens (Grade 6 And Up) And Adults

Read Stories in the Garden to Kids!

Sunday May 10, 2015: 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Downtown Library: Youth Story Corner
Grades 7-12

For older teen and adult fantasy fans: The Black Jewels Trilogy

Thu, 09/04/2014 - 3:41pm by eapearce

Fantasy fans may be excited to learn about the Black Jewels Trilogy that was recently added to the AADL collection. Written in the late 1990s and early 2000s by Anne Bishop, this is one of only a few fantasy series that I have read that maintains a strong lead female character. The world that Bishop introduces readers to in the first installment of the series, Daughter of the Blood, is unlike any other, real or imagined. Comprised of various “realms” and controlled by female witch-queens, each creature in this world has a particular level of magical power based on the darkness and value of their “birthright jewel.”

As the series opens, the realms of this magical world have fallen into ruin due to rampant corruption and extreme distrust among their leaders. Everyone is poised, waiting for the all powerful witch-queen that has been prophesied to come and make everything right again. Daughter of the Blood introduces readers to this long-awaited heroine, Jaenelle, a girl who is a mere 8 years old at the beginning of the story. Three different, powerful men take it upon themselves to protect her from those who hope to ruin her until she comes of age, but her own powers make controlling her and keeping her safe nearly impossible.

Admittedly, the complexity of the fantasy world in this series makes the story a bit difficult to comprehend at first, but readers who battle through the first hundred pages of the trilogy will be glad they did. The trilogy packs in all the elements of a great fantasy tale: magic, love and hate, good and evil, epic battles, kings and queens, ancient castles… the works. After Daughter of the Blood, the story continues with Heir to the Shadows and concludes with Queen of the Darkness.

National Library Week: 'Fancy Nancy' Party!

Saturday April 18, 2015: 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
Preschool - Grade 3.

Join us for a nature walk at Mary Beth Doyle Park Thursday evening!

Wed, 09/03/2014 - 9:29am by eapearce

Some of you Summer Gamers might be familiar with Mary Beth Doyle Park after earning the Park Explorer badge that took you there! This final installment in our summer nature walk series is an opportunity to revisit this lovely wetland area, or see it for the first time if you've never visited before. The nature walk will take place this Thursday, September 4, from 7:00 to 8:30pm. The approximately 80-acre park has a long, unpaved trail that runs along Mallets Creek, which we will be exploring. The creek and surrounding ponds and wetland make for great wildlife viewing. A representative from Ann Arbor's Natural Area Preservation will lead the hike and provide interesting information as we explore the area.

We will meet in the parking area off of Packard Road. You can also park at the Mallets Creek branch of the AADL and walk half a mile east along Packard to the entrance of the park. Bring water and dress comfortably. Arrive a few minutes early to make sure that you don't miss the group before we set out on the walk!

Chesstastic

Sunday May 17, 2015: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Traverwood Branch: Program Room
Adults, Teens And Youth (Grade K And Up).

Chesstastic

Sunday April 19, 2015: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Traverwood Branch: Program Room
Adults, Teens And Youth (Grade K And Up).

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month

Tue, 09/02/2014 - 10:48am by aadl staff

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Give yourself or your child one of the greatest gifts you can give: Free Knowledge!

AADL is full of books to read and explore, graphic novels and magazines to escape into, and movies and music to transport your imagination to new places. But that is not all! We have a growing collection of unusual stuff to borrow which includes music tools, home tools, games, art prints, telescopes, and activity passes for many statewide attractions, to name a few.

AADL also offers services like homework support and resources for job-seekers and small business entrepreneurs. There are also on-going, drop-in ESL conversational groups.

Getting a library card is a rite of passage; many adults have never forgotten when they first received "the keys to the castle" as a child. Maya Angelou, a great supporter of public libraries once said, "The best candy shop a child can be left alone in, is the library." And if you are an adult without an AADL card, remember, it's never too late! Stop into any location to get your card, there is no fee if you live within Ann Arbor District Library boundaries. To see the details of what you will need to bring, click here.

We would love see pictures of new cardholders with their cards. Tweet them to @aadl or share them on Instragram at @aadlgram and use the hashtag #MyFirstAADLCard.

Chesstastic

Sunday March 15, 2015: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Traverwood Branch: Program Room
Adults, Teens And Youth (Grade K And Up).

Chesstastic

Sunday February 15, 2015: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Traverwood Branch: Program Room
Adults, Teens And Youth (Grade K And Up).