Ann Arbor bookstores and library offer fall relaxation

With colder weather and shorter days, fall is a great time of year to re-discover the local library and bookstores. Ann Arbor boasts a number of wonderful bookstores, both independently owned and of the chain variety, and we are also fortunate to have an excellent library system.

Our city is home to the headquarters of Borders, a company that has over 1,000 locations, including stores in airports and around the world, as well as several locations right here in Ann Arbor. Their e-mail list is an excellent source of coupons and information about special promotional deals. Barnes and Noble is a national company with a presence in our city, and local students are often seen lounging in the coffee shops in these bookstores, catching up on their studies. Nicolas Books on the west side is a comfortable shop with great service and a “small town” feel.

Our public library system is outstanding, and is one of the real perks of living on a piece of Ann Arbor real estate. Readers have access to the main downtown location and four branches. Library services are provided free of cost to residents living within the Ann Arbor School District’s boundaries, and others have services to them for a fee.
Last year, over 8 million items were checked out. The library’s collection holds over 500,000 items, including books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and more. Visitors can bring their laptops and enjoy wi-fi access as well. The library offers a wide variety of activities for all ages.

There are many reading-related events around town this week at bookstores and libraries:

WEDNESDAY
Storytime at Borders Waters Place Borders Books & Music - Waters Place
10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Preschool Storytime at AADL Ann Arbor District Library, Main Branch
11:30 a.m. - noon
Join Us For Storytime at Downtown Borders Borders Books and Music -
Downtown Ann Arbor
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Preschool Storytime at Traverwood AADL Ann Arbor District Library,
Traverwood Branc
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Storytime at Arborland Borders Borders Books and Music - Arborland
7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

THURSDAY
10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Preschool Storytime at Traverwood AADL Ann Arbor District Library,
Traverwood Branch
10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Jump Start Storytime Ypsilanti District Library - Whittaker Road
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Teen After-School Empowerment Ypsilanti District Library - Michigan Ave.
6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Family Storytime at YDL Ypsilanti District Library - Whittaker Road
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
How to Write Like I Do: Jeff Meyer 826michigan
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Storytime at Borders Waters Place Borders Books & Music - Waters Place
7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Preschool Storytime at Pittsfield AADL Ann Arbor District Library,
Pittsfield Branch


SATURDAY
9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
KinderConcert Ann Arbor District Library, Main Branch hosted by Ann
Arbor Symphony Orchestra
10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Preschool Storytime at Pittsfield AADL Ann Arbor District Library,
Pittsfield Branch
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Storytime at Borders Waters Place Borders Books & Music - Waters Place
10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
KinderConcert Ann Arbor District Library, Main Branch hosted by Ann
Arbor Symphony Orchestra
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Playgroups at Traverwood AADL Ann Arbor District Library, Traverwood Branch
11 a.m. - noon
Storytime at Arborland Borders Borders Books and Music - Arborland
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Rock Revolution Rock Band & DDR Tournament Ann Arbor District Library,
Main Branch
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Teens! Take the Stage Ann Arbor District Library, Malletts Creek Branch

Image courtesy Flickr: Dawn Endico