We may already be a week into the month, but it's not too late to start celebrating! Recently established by Chase's Calendar of Events, 2010 is the first official year for this holiday. Congress created a talking books program in 1931, though audio books really didn't take off until the 1980's with the popularity of the cassette tape. Now, whether you're visually impaired, making a long commute, or simply want to hear your favorite book read out loud, you can enjoy this form of literacy! Books are available on CDs, as MP3s, streaming on the internet, and a few titles are even still offered on cassette.

Here at the AADL we have tons of resources for our audio book fans. Check out our most popular audio books here. Interested in downloading your favorite book on MP3? Take a look at our eBooks and eAudio page. Patrons of the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled are also eligible to check out these items, so go ahead and browse the selection.

Want even more audio book information? Librarian Mary Burkey at Booklist has a wonderful blog with current news, reviews, and everything you need to know about audio books. Audiobook

aadl.org

Did you or a loved one miss the April 15th library event, Living Well with Low Vision, and the Science of Glaucoma? The event addressed current treatments for people with low vision and was made possible by the National Institute of Health and co-sponsored by the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research and the UM Health Sciences Libraries.

The event was filmed and recorded and is available online, see the video or listen to the audio. You may also request the audio recording from WLBPD. Just call 734-327-4224, email wlbpd@aadl.org, or drop by any library location.

bowling

How often do you get to go bowling when the Kids Bowl Free? You and your kids can take advantage of this offer throughout the summer! Lots of bowling lanes across the state are participating, including Ypsi-Arbor Bowling, Bel Mark Lanes and Colonial Lanes. Need more info? This link will explain it all. Before you go, brush up on your skills by watching this DVD! Personally, I like to use bumpers when I bowl...

grilling

Join the Ann Arbor CIL at Gallup Park as they kick off the summer with their Peddle, Paddle, and Picnic Event on June 10 from 3 to 7 pm. You can enjoy a cookout with the staff of the Ann Arbor CIL, ride bikes through the park on accessible bike paths, take a boat ride down river in a canoe, rowboat, or paddle boat, fish off the dock, and explore Gallup Park and all it has to offer. Check out the flier for the schedule of events. For more information, contact Mary at 734-971-0277 x22 or mstack@aacil.org.

interview

The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living is holding a Stand Out Interviews workshop on Wednesday, May 19 from 10 am to 12 pm. Attend and learn the best ways to answer interview questions, develop your professional pitch, and present yourself as the best candidate for the job. Need more career advice? Attend a drop-in session on Tuesday, May 18 from 3 to 5 pm or May 25 from 10 am to 12 pm. Good luck in your job search!

caneThis event, cosponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind and Washtenaw Community College, will feature a variety of Michigan exhibitors who will demonstrate and discuss the latest products and services for the blind and visually impaired. Magnifiers, support services for the blind, electronic readers, Braille devices, library services, CCTVs, leader dogs, and transportation services are just a few of the many outstanding services and products that will be on display on May 12, 10AM to 4PM at Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor. VISIONS is funded in part by the Friends of the Ann Arbor District Library.

books

For AADL card holders who are also active patrons of the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled (WLBPD), we are now able to mail Large Print books to your home! After signing up for this service, you will be able to request Large Print books online, by phone, or at any AADL service desk. The books will be mailed in reusable bags using USPS Free Matter for the Blind services and may be returned the same way. For more information about this new service, call 734-327-4224 or contact us at www.aadl.org/contactus (choose WLBPD as the comment type). We look forward to hearing from you!

Blind Man's Bluff

Tune in to KPFA radio's free speech program Pushing Limits on April 16th for the play "Blind Man's Bluff", the autobiographical story of Geri Taeckens. She shares her experiences about growing up losing vision, how challenges, love & friendship lead to understanding differences & acceptance. We also have a couple of her books in our collection. Check them out!

health fair

This Saturday, March 27 from 11:00 am-4:00 pm, come to the Ann Arbor Community Center where you can have your Blood Pressure checked; massages; a raffle and other Health Related screenings. Interested in dieting as a family? Check out the F.A.S.T. diet from AADL. And if you can, take the stairs!

Join The MSU Extension at The Hope Center for a weekly parenting session for single parents. Sessions are EVERY Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and are free . Come to six sessions and receive a certificate of completion. Registration is requested. Oh, and AADL has a large collection of parenting books and there's plenty to peruse on the Parenting Shelf in the youth Department, too.

single dad