ANN ARBOR—A combined family reading and science program will be launched in
This first series will continue through March and registration for this series began Monday (Jan. 3) at the Exhibit Museum and all Ann Arbor District Library outlets.

Any combination of adult family members, plus a child of any age, constitutes a participating “family.” From January through March, families that sign up for the program set aside a special time each day to log their daily reading times. For every five hours logged, families may enter a monthly drawing for prizes. Any kind of book can be read, but the libraries will have a special display of books pertaining to geology.

Family night special family reading programs featuring local celebrities reading their favorite stories will include snacks and family crafts. No registration is required. The Friday night library programs run 7-8:30 p.m. and will be at the West Branch on Jan. 28, the Loving Branch on Feb. 11, the Northeast Branch on Feb. 25 and the Main Library on March 10.

Moving rocks, mystery rocks and eruptions are the subjects of hands-on science workshops at Library and Museum locations. Registration is required in person or by phone and begins two weeks prior to each session. January workshops will focus on moving rocks, February sessions on mystery rocks, and March sessions on eruptions. These workshops will be held at the West Branch on Jan. 8, Feb. 19 and March 11, 2-3 p.m.; at the Loving Branch on Jan. 15, Feb. 5 and March 18, 11 a.m.-noon; at the Northeast Branch on Jan. 22, Feb. 12 and March 25, 2-3 p.m.; and at the Exhibit Museum on Jan. 30, Feb. 27 and March 26, 1-2 p.m.

Nationally known science author Seymour Simon will give a special presentation in the Main Library’s Multi-Purpose Room on Feb. 1, 7-8:30 p.m. This is a free program suitable for ages 5 and up and requires no pre-registration. Book sales and signing begin at 6 p.m. and will continue after the presentation.

A special family drop-in program with hands-on activity stations will be held March 26, noon-4 p.m., at the Exhibit Museum. No registration is required for this, “The Exhibit Museum Rocks! Discovery Day”

A special Family Reading Grand Celebration for families who read a minimum of 10 hours together during the program will be March 31, 7-8:30 p.m., in the Main Library’s Multi-Purpose Room. Each family honored will receive a free book. Magician Jeff Wawrzazek will entertain.

This series of programs is made possible by a $43,000 grant to the two institutions from the Institute of Museum and Library Services with the purpose of developing a multi-year family reading and informal science learning collaboration. The collaboration was one of 11 nationwide to receive a 1999 Museum Leadership Initiative Award.

The goal of the partnership between the U-M Exhibit Museum of Natural History and the Ann Arbor District Library is to link and expand two existing programs. This new initiative will encourage family members to develop and sustain an interest in lifelong learning at both the Museum and the Library.

For more information or to register, contact the library or the Exhibit Museum: West Branch Library, 2503 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48103, (994-1674); Loving Branch Library, 3042 Creek Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, (994-2353); Northeast Branch Library, 2713 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, (996-3180); Main Library Youth Dept., 343 S. Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, (327-8301); U-M Exhibit Museum of Natural History, 1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079, (764-0478).

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Seymour SimonInstitute of Museum and Library Services