For the last year and a half, crowds have gathered each month in the early evening in bars and venues around Ann Arbor. Around 7pm, it begins: three boisterous speakers geek out up front. What is this? Some secret club?

Nope! It's Nerd Nite Ann Arbor! And it's open to anyone and everyone who loves to learn or share what they love.

For the uninitiated, Nerd Nite (NN) has been described as “...like the Discovery Channel™…with beer!” Sounds fun, right? It is! NN is held monthly in 80+ cities, giving several folks the opportunity to give 18-21minute fun-yet-informative presentations across all disciplines. Imagine learning about everything from the science of the Simpsons to the genealogy of Godzilla. Fun stuff!

Doors open at 6:30, and speakers start at 7pm.

So show up, have a drink, meet other nerds, and learn a bunch of awesome new junk!

This month, we're talking about:

Film Photography, Interactive Video, and the Magic of Microphones

It’s Media Mania Month at Nerd Nite Ann Arbor! We’re focusing in on the life after “the death of film" by exploring the process behind and the art created with non-digital photography with historic camera expert Ross Orr. We’ll hear from Martin Thoburn, an interactive filmmaker who finds endless ways to expand his video-based art beyond the screen. Andy Ross might know more about microphones than any person to ever speak into ours - and he’ll be telling the story of the impact of mic amplification on modern music. Join us for a deep dive into audiovisual awareness, plus drinks, laughs, and a spin on a vintage 35MM Carousel projector.

Want to see past topics and a little more info? Check NNA2's site.

AADL is sponsoring this month's event, so there will be NO COVER!

Mark your calendars and spread the word! Any and all nerds (and non-nerds!) who love learning and having a great time are welcome to join us!

May the force be with you! Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens this weekend and YOU need to be prepared for intergalactic battle!

Let the experts from Terra Prime Light Armory be your guiding force as they give instruction in lightsaber use in a friendly and fun interactive setting.

Enjoy activities for Summer Game prizes at the Rolling Sculpture Car Show.

Join us for Tiny Expo Saturday, December 12 from 11-5:30, and shop local artists and crafters selling their wares in a festive library space where you can shop local and handmade! It's a great way to support your community and find unique gifts. This year features over 40 artists - check out the vendor list!

Just what IS Tiny Expo? It's a fun, local and handmade shopping experience that began with a small group of artists in 2010. As the initial group of creative folks banded together to hold a fun, informal little fair, expo-goers responded, and the show grew just a teeny bit each year. Finding a location that could fit everyone was a perennial challenge, though, and so Tiny Expo jumped around town — from Kerrytown to Felch Street and back again, and it lands at AADL again this year.

Library Camp doesn't mean burned marshmallows, mosquito bites, or popsicle stick-based art projects. Library Camp is an informal unconference gathering to share ideas, technologies, and discussions. And a good excuse to hide from Tax Day!

This event is free to attend and will be held at the Downtown Library. Click here to register.

The goal is to get a bunch of people together, to talk about whatever you'd like to talk about, within the rough purview of libraries and library technology. We'll start with a blank schedule and at our morning gathering, we'll fill the agenda with your ideas. We've got time and space for at least 4 concurrent sessions, so there could easily be 10-12 different things to talk about during the day.

Bring your ideas and quandaries. AADL staff will be on hand to help with directing the conversation, but like any unconference, the event is led by whoever shows up! Here's a rough schedule:

Doors open and Bagel Breakfast: 9:30-10:00 am

Welcome: 10:00-10:30 am

Session 1: 10:30-11:30 am
-4th Floor Boardroom: College Readiness Programs
-3rd Floor Freespace: The Future of Reference in the Digital Age
-3rd Floor Training Center: 3D Printing

Session 2: 11:30am-12:30 pm
-4th Floor Boardroom: Delivering Print Resources Digitally
-3rd Floor Freespace: Libraries: Everything to Everybody
-3rd Floor Training Center: STEM/STEAM for Kids and Teens

Lunch on your own: 12:30-2:00 pm

Session 3: 2:00-3:00 pm
-4th Floor Boardroom: Partnerships with Schools
-3rd Floor Freespace: Incorporating Library Resources in Teaching
-3rd Floor Training Center: Unusual Collections

Session 4: 3:00-4:00 pm
-4th Floor Boardroom: Outreach to Adults and Improved Community Engagment
-3rd Floor Freespace: Big Events
-3rd Floor Training Center: One-shot Education for Academic Libraries

Wrap up and Farewell: 4:00-4:30 pm in the Secret Lab

The nationally touring arts and humanities exhibition Always Lost: A Meditation on War, on display at the Downtown Library from December 11 through February 24, is a poignant memorial that brings home the costs of war and honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as those who made it home.

Join us for the special opening program for this extraordinary and moving exhibit. The exhibit opening includes:

• 6:30–6:45 pm – 4th Floor Meeting Room - Opening Remarks & Acknowledgments
• 6:45–7:00 pm – 4th Floor Meeting Room - Short Film Screening: The Story of Always Lost: A Meditation on War
• 7:00–7:30 pm – 3rd Floor Gallery - Special Processional: University of Michigan ROTC Color Guard • the sounding of Taps by the Washtenaw County Honor Guard, the Star Spangled Banner performed by the Pioneer High School Choraliers
• 7:30–8:30 pm – 3rd Floor Gallery - Exhibit Viewing & Light Refreshments

Always Lost is made possible through the generosity of The National Endowment of the Arts, The Dallas Morning News, Pfizer VIP: Veterans In Pfizer, Western Nevada College, Art Works, and many more.

This exhibit contains graphic images and depictions of war that some viewers may find disturbing. It is not recommended for unsupervised children and viewer discretion is advised.

Image Credit: Photo (left): Courtesy of Western Nevada College

On the last night of Women's History Month, storytellers Josie Barnes Parker and Laura Pershin Raynor join musicians Betsy Beckerman and Sara Melton Keller for an evening of funny and touching tales and tunes for adults and teens.

By sharing stories of adventures with their fathers, Josie and Laura explore universal themes, while Sara and Betsy mix it up with hammered dulcimer, guitar, and banjo tunes. Join these women as they celebrate Women's History Month with this unique and humor-filled evening.

Invite your favorite friends for a girls' night out and enjoy!

It's the long-awaited return of the AADL Equipment Disposal Sale!

Furniture, Computers, Monitors, Shelving, and much, much more! Both cash and credit cards are accepted.

All items are sold as-is and all sales are final. Purchases must be picked up by 5 PM on Sunday.

Get a great deal on some quality stuff!

For the last year and a half, crowds have gathered each month in the early evening in bars and venues around Ann Arbor. Around 7pm, it begins: three boisterous speakers geek out up front. What is this? Some secret club?

Nope! It's Nerd Nite Ann Arbor! And it's open to anyone and everyone who loves to learn or share what they love.

For the uninitiated, Nerd Nite (NN) has been described as “...like the Discovery Channel™…with beer!” Sounds fun, right? It is! NN is held monthly in 70+ cities, giving several folks the opportunity to give 18-21minute fun-yet-informative presentations across all disciplines. Imagine learning about everything from the science of the Simpsons to the genealogy of Godzilla. Fun stuff!

Doors open at 6:30, and speakers start at 7pm.

So show up, have a drink, meet other nerds, and learn a bunch of awesome new junk!

Want to see past topics and a little more info? Check NNA2's site.

AADL is sponsoring this month's event, so there will be NO COVER!

Mark your calendars and spread the word! Any and all nerds (and non-nerds!) who love learning and having a great time are welcome to join us!

Back by popular demand! You have been chosen to represent your district library in a worldwide Minecraft: Hunger Games Tournament. Join us for a chance to be an Ann Arbor tribute in this massive multi-continental Melee.