Your photos don't have to just live on your phone. Come make a mini book where you can display some of your favorite printed photos.

No art skills? No problem. We'll show you how to make a frame-worthy piece.

This event was originally scheduled for the Malletts Creek Branch and has been relocated to Pittsfield Branch.

Sometimes it's good to be square! Come join in the fun as we make custom crafted pendant jewelry.

Are you a spelling geek who likes the taste of victory? Did losing your middle school spelling bee on the word "broccoli" leave you demanding a do-over? Buzzed Bee is your chance to conquer some words, prove your 5th grade teacher wrong, and do it like an adult--in a bar! Buzzed Bee will combine some of that nostalgic middle-school spelling bee vibe with a super-fun, laid-back atmosphere, the option of beer, and the guarantee that each round will get more and more ridiculous. And, of course, we'll offer way better prizes than the "Super Speller!" sticker you'd have gotten in the 5th grade.

Doors open and sign-up starts at 6:30 and the spelling starts at 7:00! Space for participation is limited, so if you want a spot in the bee, come early!

In contemporary computer-mediated environments (e.g., digital games and virtual worlds), users leave their bodies behind and presumably engage on a level playing field where identity characteristics—such as gender, race, and age—bear little relevance to performance. However, such mediated spaces are still fraught with stereotypical associations that hinder equal participation. This is particularly problematic, given that the benefits of playing video games have the potential to reduce disparities in other important realms of society (e.g., STEM fields).

In this talk, Robby Ratan will explain this phenomenon, drawing from his recent studies. We will explore stereotypes that are prevalent in gaming contexts (just in case you are not convinced already) as well as the negative consequences of such stereotypes. How might avatars be used to circumvent such negative consequences? Join us for an interactive discussion of your own impressions on games, avatars and gender. Together we'll come up with ideas on how to improve equality in games and, through the positive impact of games, improve equality in society.

This talk is presented as part of the University of Michigan Gender and Gaming Symposium 2015. Please join us to continue the discussion on Saturday, October 24 at the University of Michigan Hatcher Graduate Library Gallery from 10:00am to 4:00pm. More information and a complete schedule can be accessed here.

A special KRC Pre-Conference for Librarians, Educators, and Cartoonists! Come warm yourself up for the fun events at the Kids Read Comics Convention by participating in some panels and hands-on workshops. Librarians will get resources on how to build and maintain their collections; Educators will learn how to incorporate comics into their curriculum; and Cartoonists will learn new ways to work with these two groups to better advocate for their medium!

It’s free to attend, but we ask that you please register here.

All events will be at the James and Anne Duderstadt Center located on the University of Michigan North Campus. map

10:00-11:30 am – Comics: A Pathway to Learning
As teachers find a variety of uses for comics, graphic novels and manga in the classroom, they need to understand the complex thinking and deep skills required to both read and create them. In this workshop, work with cartoonist Jerzy Drozd to explore the convergence of literary and artistic disciplines inherent in comics and see how comics can be a powerful way to build reading comprehension skills, such as prediction, inference, and fluency.

All participants will be given a 61-page packet that will help you develop your own comics programming and classes, even if you don’t know how to draw!

1:00-2:00 pm – The Secret History of Comics Readers
In November 1953, Ople Noble sent a letter to forensic psychiatrist Fredric Wertham. Noble, who was secretary of her eighth grade class in Bisbee, Arizona, and her classmates had read and discussed Wertham’s article in Ladies’ Home Journal, “What Parents Don’t Know about Comic Books.” She wrote to share her and her classmates’ insights on juvenile delinquency and comics with the psychiatrist, as they disagreed with many of his conclusions. Encouraged by Wertham’s reply, which was accompanied by a box of chocolates from Macy’s Department Store, Noble wrote at least two more letters to Wertham, one of which outlined the results of a class discussion on the comic character Green Arrow.

In this talk, Professor Carol Tilley will share more about Ople, as well as young fanzine creators, letter writers, amateur cartoonists, and more, who read, wrote, and played with comics during the mid-20th century. Don’t miss these secret and seldom-told stories of some of the kids who helped make comics the most important print media of the 20th century and remind us why comics matter.

2:00-3:00 pm – Panel – Comics in the Classroom
Wondering how to get the most out of using comics to teach your students or to create compelling events at your library? Moderator Colby Sharp (Nerdy Book Club, nErDcamp MI) and an all-star cast of cartoonists and educators will share some engaging strategies and tips to get your students more immersed in any subject. Colby will be joined by Kean Soo (Jellaby, March Grand Prix), Tory Woollcott (Mirror Mind), Sabine Gabaron (Lecturer at the Univesity of Michigan), Laura Given (school librarian), and Jim McClain (Reading With Pictures: Comics That Make Kids Smarter and Solution Squad).

3:00-4:00 pm –Tour of the University of Michgan's Computer and Video Game Archive
Librarian Dave Carter will guide you through the collection of video games in the University of Michigan’s Computer and Video Game Archive. Get up close and personal with some old friends, whether it’s the Atari 2600, ColecoVision, TurboGrafx-16, or the Sega Dreamcast!

Learn the basics of sculptural needle felting. Create your own creature friend using sharp barbed needles, wool roving, and a foam block. This program will require patience and focus.

Have you ever wondered how to make yarn? Have you seen someone spinning yarn and wanted to give it a whirl? Come learn with us!

Drop spinning is an ancient craft that uses simple materials to make a spindle that spins sheep's wool or other fibers into yarn. At this event, participants will make their own drop spindle using doweling and recycled CDs and will also learn the basics of how to spin using their new drop spindle.

Looking for a preschool?

The annual Preschool Expo brings representatives from area preschools to one location, on one date. Explore your options and find the best preschool for your child.

Free parking is available across the street from Palmer Commons, located on the U-M Campus at 100 Washtenaw Ave.

This event is sponsored by the Ann Arbor District Library, Washtenaw Success By 6 Great Start Collaborative, Child Care Network, and the U-M Work/Life Resource Center.

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.

This time, it's Sound, Symbiosis and Active Art, and our topics go from down in the dirt (plant and fungi symbiosis!) to long-distance sounds to local examples of art in action. What our three featured nerds have in common, however, is that they each have a passion for their topic and want you to understand it too! So, whether you consider yourself an art aficionado, a sound geek, a plant-lover or beyond, we’ve got plenty of new stuff for you to pick up while you’re tipping back a beer.

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!