The Brighton District Library will host a Local Author Showcase, Sunday, May 5 from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. The event will feature six authors from around Michigan who will briefly discuss their work. Following the presentations, attendees will have an opportunity to visits author tables to meet and talk with them and purchase books. Local Author Showcase is a three-times-a-year event sponsored by the library in support of local authors, their efforts, literacy, and lifelong learning. The library is fortunate to be approached each year by authors who would like to share their work with the community…

The Brighton District Library has launched Brighton...Naturally, an environmental initiative to connect children, families, and individuals to the natural world. Brighton…Naturally will offer unique programs, from nature exploration and viewing the night skywith the StarLab planetarium to discovering the fascinating creatures of the night. Three free, open-to-the-public programs will kick off Brighton…Naturally beginning April 29, May 3, and May 4. Celebrate Springtime, April 29 from 10:30am – 11:15am, for kids 2-5. Families are invited to go on a nature exploration and discover what’s …

  The Friends of the Brighton District Library will hold their semi-annual Spring Book Sale April 23-28. This book lover’s paradise offers hundreds of recent, classic and sought-after books, audio books, DVD’s, VHS tapes and CD’s for adults, teens, and children - all for a dollar or less.  All materials are gently used. Sorry, no scanners. Not a member? No problem. Tuesday, April 23 from 5 – 9pm is Members Only Night. For shoppers wanting first dibs, this is the place to be. Simply show up at the door Tuesday evening to buy a $5 senior or student, $15 individual, or $30 family membership then…

Stop by the Library this week for creative crafting or cooking with the kids, on Tuesday, the teen and adult departments invite you to learn more about William Shakespeare – his life and work. Need a place to study or hang out with friends – check out BDL Teen Time – laptops, games and snacks are available. Our adult computer technology department offers the latest hands-on training for you with Google Docs and eReader or come by the Open Computer Lab for specific problems. Your one-stop destination for materials from books to DVD’s, programs and events, and computer technology support is at …

The Brighton District Library’s second annual gala fundraiser, Booked for the Evening, which took place March 22 at the Oak Pointe Country Club was a great success. This year’s sold out benefit raised in excess of $15,000 from ticket sales and live and silent auction items. Auction proceeds this year will benefit the Library’s print, audio-visual, and electronic collections. The evening also marked the successful launch of the Library’s Light the Way capital campaign, led by campaign leaders Patrick and Margaret McDonald. Individuals wishing information should contact Diana Dart at 810-229-…

This week, beginning Tuesday, the Brighton District Library will offer four programs geared toward adults. Finding Military Records for Genealogy Research with Mark Mullinax, Genealogy and Local History Librarian is for both the beginning and intermediate genealogist. A Jane Austen Tea hosted by Barbs’ TEA Shop in Troy, Michigan is in conjunction with the Library’s Livingston Reads programming. On Wednesday and Friday, brush up on your computer skills or learn about LinkedIn, the largest social media site dedicated solely to professional networking. These free programs and classes are open …

Picture Books Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric LitwinThis is one cool cat! When Pete loses one of his colorful buttons he doesn’t get mad, he sings a song --my buttons, my buttons, my four groovy buttons. Kids will enjoy Pete’s cool, calm, easy way in this playfully illustrated book. Parents will love the introduction to counting, colors and his positive, upbeat message about not getting mad, because in Pete’s words, “It’s no big deal. “ Press Here, by Herve Tullet Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and see…

 The Luxe by Anna GodbersenSet in a world of luxury and deception, the Luxe series will take you on a thrilling trip to the age of innocence that's anything but innocent. Don't miss your chance to dance in the gilded ballrooms of nineteenth century Manhattan, and slip away with the city's most charming bachelors. Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria StolarzThe Touch Series follows the lives of Camelia and Ben, two teens with psychometric abilities. Having this ability allows them to sense the future through touch and sets them up to solve some creepy local mysteries. These books are …

The Brighton District Library will host its second annual gala fundraiser, "Booked for the Evening,” Friday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Oak Pointe Country Club in Brighton. Guests will enjoy appetizers, dinner, entertainment and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $50 per person or $450 for a table of 10. Seating is limited. Tickets are available online at http://brightonlibrary.info/2013_gala or by calling the Brighton Library 810-229-6571ext. 211. Auction items this year will include a private VIP wine tasting tour to Chateau Chantal, located on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, a…

The Brighton District Library will kick off the 8th annual Livingston Reads “One Book, One Community” project beginning March 1 through April 30. The program encourages residents to read for pleasure, to create community through reading, and to promote the exploration of ideas and knowledge. This year’s selection, Pride and Prejudice, written by beloved novelist Jane Austen, is an eighteenth-century romance brimming with intrigue, wit, misunderstanding, and romance. In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice, the Library has lined up free programs including films, book …

The American Library Association announces this year’s 2013 most distinguished books for children with the Caldecott and Newbery Medal awards. The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. It can be a picture book, but much more often it is a full …

Next time your child is looking for a book to read, try one of these chapter books which are ideal for readers ages 7-10. Marty McGuire by Kate Messner Marty McGuire would rather spend recess catching frogs in the pond than playing dress-up with the other girls in third grade. So when her teacher casts Marty as the princess in the class play, Marty's absolutely, positively sure that there's been a huge mistake. But IMPROVE the play: Why use stuffed-animal frog onstage when a live one would be so much better? In the end, Marty's one-of-a-kind performance makes for an unforgettable show. Maybe …

Take the worry out of planning your next meal. Join us at the Brighton District Library for “Cooking with Chef Cathy” Tuesday, February 12 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Join personal chef Cathy Ferrara, owner of Supper Made Simple, who will show you how to make every meal a simple pleasure by using fresh vegetables, berries and grains. Chef Cathy will prepare quick recipes for taste testing including quinoa, an ancient grain high in protein and an alternative to potatoes and rice, and provide culinary tips about food and cooking. A premiere member of the United States Personal Chef Association(USPCA…

The Library of Michigan has announced the list of the 2013 Michigan Notable Books - 20 books highlighting Michigan people, places and events. The list highlights exceptional "Michigan books" published in 2012 that bring attention to Michigan authors and topics. Books that showcase the range of experiences of Michigan's citizens and life in the Great Lakes by well-established and first-time authors. The 2013 Michigan Notable Books in alphabetical order: American Poet: A Novel by Jeff Vande ZandeSaginaw, Michigan is the setting for this short novel, a coming of age story of a young poet …

Today marks the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. His life and work as a preacher, political activist and Civil-Rights leader during the Jim Crow era in the South makes him one of the United States greatest African-American leaders of all time. His message was equality for all people which he carried out with non-violent marches and sit-ins and his speeches were inspirational to a generation of Americans. His life and work has been honored with a national holiday, schools and public buildings named after him, and a memorial on Independence Mall in Washington, D.…

Are you looking for a preschool? Are you trying to weigh the pros and cons of which preschool is best for your child? Your local area libraries are here to help! This Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm three area libraries – Brighton District, Howell Carnegie District and Cromaine Library in Hartland will host preschool open houses. Meet one-on-one with local preschool representatives who will be on hand to answer your questions or concerns. Preschool is a big step for you and your child and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) offers the following guidelines when …

This January, the Brighton Library is offering an assortment of adult programs to jump-start your New Year. Learn something new about finance or how to use your eReader, sit back, relax and watch an Oscar nominated movie, join our book club or stop by and make yourself a one-of-a-kind bracelet. Visit brightonlibrary.info or call 810-229-6571 ext. 227 to learn more about these programs. Programs SCORE Small Business Coaching, 1/9, 5 - 8 pm - Do you have a business idea and want to know whether it's viable? Are you looking for funding? Meet one-on-one for up to an hour with SCORE business coach…

Welcome the New Year and the winter season ahead with a sampling of the most frequently checked out books at the Brighton District Library. This listing highlights what YOU, our library patrons, found fascinating, stimulating, humorous, shocking, and unforgettable in 2012. Listed below are the most read book titles for adult fiction, adult non-fiction, teen fiction, and youth fiction. Visit our website brightonlibrary.info, click on library catalog, then enter the title to read a complete review of each book, or stop by the library for some one-on-one help. Adult Fiction Fiction: Lone Wolf by…

Join us at the Brighton District Library for a holiday sing-along concert with Dr. Mike and the Sea Monkey’s and featuring Grammy Award-winning harmonica virtuoso player Peter Madcat Ruth Wednesday, December 19 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the magazine room.  Enjoy an admission-free evening of old and new holiday songs. Mike Ball, a syndicated humor columnist and an award winning author, will perform with his band Dr. Mike and the Sea Monkeys, of which Peter Madcat Ruth is a frequent member. Mike sings lead and plays guitar, banjo, ukulele, resonator, djembe, and F# plastic egg. He’s been …

The Brighton District Library and the Brighton Art Guild will honor Norma Gray for her longtime commitment to the arts community by renaming the “Art at the Library” gallery to the “Norma Gray Gallery at the Brighton District Library.” The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Saturday, Dec. 15 from 2 - 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend and see samples of Gray’s work which will be on display Dec. 15 through January 9 at the library. Gray, a founding member of the Brighton Art Guild, will be recognized for her substantial contributions to the Arts.  In addition to being a highly …