Blog Post
The 41st Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow is this Saturday & Sunday
by prlhw
This weekend, April 6th & 7th, the 41st Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow will be held in Ann Arbor at the Crisler Center. The event is hosted by the Native American Student Association at the University of Michigan, and will feature an amazing display of singers, dancers, drummers, artisans, and food vendors.
I had the opportunity to attend this massive Powwow last year, and was blown away by the the turnout; The Mother Earth Powwow attracts people from all over the country, and is the largest Powwow held in the Midwest. The drum circles, dancing, and beautiful traditional dress created a wonderfully energetic atmosphere. In addition, the food was delicious; I tried the buffalo burger on the Native American staple, fry bread. You can’t go wrong there.
Powwows are commonly known as large gatherings that “Native American people use as a place to meet, dance, sing and otherwise renew and strengthen their rich culture. The Ann Arbor Powwow is one of the largest university-run pow wows in the country, with more than 1,000 of North America's greatest singers, dancers, artists and craftspeople.” For more information about what Powwows are all about, check out this fabulous information page on the U of M’s website, or read about Powwow’s and Native American History in the AADL’s catalog. In addition, if you’d like to sample some of the music you might hear at the Mother Earth Powwow, the AADL also has a large collection of Native American Music.
This is an event that only happens once a year, and is not to be missed! Doors will open at 10:30am and grand entries will be at 12pm on both Saturday & Sunday. Admission ranges from $10 for adults, with discounts for students, seniors, families, and children. For more information be sure to check out the official information page, as well as the event schedule. See you there!
Blog Post
Ann Arbor Film Festival: Films, Archives, DVDs
by manz
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is next week! I love this time of year. So many films to see in just a few days time. Have you been hawking over the schedule and taking notes of what you’d like to see? Be ready, as the fun begins gala-style on Tuesday, March 19 and runs through Sunday, March 24.
Established in 1963, The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America, and we are lucky to have it in our own backyard. The 51st annual festival is bringing some wonderful experimental films to the Michigan Theater, and a visit from Ken Burns is also on deck!
Fore more film fodder, be sure to check out the Ann Arbor Film Festival Archive, accessible online. You’ll have full access to old photos, flyers, articles, festival programs, and interviews from past festivals. Meanwhile, to view some of the films of past festivals, check out these collections available at AADL:
Time Pieces: 46th Ann Arbor Film Festival, DVD collection, Volume 1
Unexplored territories: 47th Ann Arbor Film Festival, DVD collection, Volume 2
Blog Post
Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research 2013 Community Engagement Symposium
by darla
The Ann Arbor District Library is proud to be a part of the upcoming Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research 2013 Community Engagement Symposium, taking place Tuesday, March 19, 2013 from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. All events take place at the University of Michigan's North Campus Research Complex.
The purpose of MICHR's Annual Community Engagement Symposium is to enhance collaboration between researchers and community-based, nonprofit, and governmental organizations interested or engaged in clinical and health research. Academic and community partners will have opportunities to network, share their research and experience, and develop skills to become engaged and effective partners.
This theme of this year’s symposium The Power of Partnerships: Improving Research and Health Outcomes will focus on the importance of community involvement and leadership in the research process and how both communities and researchers benefit from partnership approaches. This event is FREE and open to the public with registration. For all the details, and to register, visit the event website.
Blog Post
Free Cervical Cancer Screening
by Beth Manuel
The University of Michigan Health System will offer free Pap screenings on Saturday March 23 at the Briarwood building 2 U-M Briarwood Center for Women, Children, & Young Adults, Suite B, 400 E. Eisenhower Pkwy. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling the U-M Cancer Answer Line at 800-865-1125.The U-M Health System Cervical Cancer Screening Project will serve women over 21 who have not had a Pap test in the last three years and do not have health insurance that covers Pap tests. For more resources about cancer take a look at our compilation of select sites for health.
Blog Post
NLS Magazines Transition to Digital Format
by Beth Manuel
In early 2013, the National Library Service will discontinue production of magazines on cassette and will instead begin
circulating magazines on digital cartridges similar to those used for books. The color of the magazine cartridges will be blue and their cases will be maroon. If you are currently subscribed to magazines on cassette, you should expect no interruption to your subscription service. However, there will be changes to the service we'd like you to be prepared for. Unlike with cassettes, it will be required that you return your magazine cartridge in order to receive your next month's subscription(s).
ALL of your magazine subscriptions will be loaded onto a single digital cartridge. To navigate from one magazine to another, you will need to use the "bookshelf" function on your Digital Talking Book Machine (DTBM). Instructions on how to use this function will be the first item to play when you insert a magazine cartridge. You can refer to the following article, "The Bookshelf: Navigating More Than One Book or Magazine" in the Winter 2013 newsletter. Instructions are also available on wlbpd.aadl.org under "BARD". If you are currently receiving magazines you have not subscribed to, or that you no longer wish to receive, please contact us so we may update your account. If you have a Standard DTBM and would like to upgrade to an Advanced DTBM, which provides greater navigation, including setting bookmarks when navigating through books and magazines, please let us know by calling (734) 327-4224, or emailing wlbpd@aadl.org.
Blog Post
Imagine Community Winter Party
by Stewart
Sunday, February 17 @ Hathway's Hideaway 6:45 - 9:00 pm.
Join the Imagine Community organization for a Winter celebration! Imagine Community hosts daytime programs at the Delonis Center on Fridays and Saturdays with the goal to increase solidarity between homed and homeless people by providing space and materials for people to work and create together.
Blog Post
Performance Network: Good People
by annevm
Performance Network will show Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire Feb. 21 through March 31. David Wolber directs this Michigan Premiere of a 2011 Tony Nominee for Best Play. The PN website describes the play as "a touching and funny look at American's great economic divide." Ticket information is here. Lindsay-Abaire also wrote Rabbit Hole which was made into a 2011 movie.
Blog Post
Dine Out for Literacy!
by Stewart
Thursday, February 21, 2013 Enjoy a meal at the Quarter Bistro and the restaurant will donate 20% of your tab to Washtenaw Literacy. This offer is also available on all take out orders.
Speaking of Washtenaw Literacy, did you know about the tutoring events @ AADL?
Enjoy these library materials on the topic of literacy:
My afternoons with Margueritte
Read, rhyme, and romp : early literacy skills and activities for librarians, teachers, and parents
Teaching adult literacy : principles and practice
Get them talking! : an ESL tutoring guide
Blog Post
Dental Screening Day!
by Beth Manuel
On Saturday, February 2nd, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and the Washtenaw District Dental Society will be providing a free Dental Screening day. This is happening on the 2nd Floor Pediatric Dentistry Clinic. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and will close after the first 100 participants have registered. Children ages 5-12 years welcome but must be accompanied by their parent or guardian.
Blog Post
Preschool Expo
by manz
Are you in the market for a preschool? Are you looking for a good place to start your search? Then you should come to the Preschool Expo on January 27th! What is the Preschool Expo? It’s an event that brings representatives from many area preschools to one location, on one date. That way, it’s easy to gather information on preschools and talk with schools in order to find a good fit for your child! This free event is co-sponsored by the Ann Arbor District Library, Washtenaw Success by Six Great Start Collaborative, Child Care Network, and U-M Work/Life Resource Center. Come explore your options at the Preschool Expo!
Date: Sunday, January 27th
Time: 1:00 – 4:00p.m.
Place: Palmer Commons on the U-M Campus
100 Washtenaw Ave.
(Located at the intersection of Central and Medical Campuses)
Parking: Free parking available in the structure across the street from Palmer Commons