The National Book Awards 2011 will be webcast live from New York City on Wednesday, November 16 at 8:00 PM. Actor, author, and musician John Lithgow will host this year's award ceremony. No registration necessary. Check the National Book Foundation's website for more information.

The highly anticipated new film J. Edgar opens this weekend. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench and Armie Hammer, it explores the public and private life of J. Edgar Hoover — one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century. Hoover was considered the face of law enforcement in America for almost fifty years. From the time he became acting director of the Bureau of Investigation (predecessor to the Federal Bureau of Investigation) in 1924, to the end of his tenure there at his death in 1972, Hoover was both feared and admired, reviled and revered. Prior to this new film Hoover has been portrayed many times before in both film and on stage.

The hunter (author Sandy Arno Lyons) and the skeptic (Robert Elmouchi) will discuss hauntings in the Great Lakes as well as Lyons' book entitled Michigan's Most Haunted: A Ghostly Guide to the Great Lakes. Lyons wrote her book after traveling our great state and visiting known haunts. Did she have any real encounters? Come hear the spine-tingling tales on November 1 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room.

Knitting vintage : 30 knitting projects inspired by period fashions by Claire Montgomerie — Many of us admire vintage styles, but it can be challenging to find actual vintage knits in good condition in the right size for a reasonable price. This book offers patterns for sweaters, hats, and other accessories in vintage styles inspired by the twenties through the eighties. It may be difficult to think of the 80s as vintage, but the Striped Mohair Sweater is not to be missed.

Fringe-ology: how I tried to explain away the unexplainable—and couldn't by Steve Volk

But will the planet notice?: how smart economics can save the world by Gernot Wagner

The unexpected patriot: how an ordinary American mother is bringing terrorists to justice by Shannen Rossmiller; with Sue Carswell

Lost in Shangri-la: a true story of survival, adventure, and the most incredible rescue mission of World War II by Mitchell Zuckoff

Precious objects: a story of diamonds, family, and a way of life by Alicia Oltuski

If you weren't able to attend the National Book Festival in Washington D.C. on September 24-25, videos of the event including authors' talks are now available. Historian and author David McCullough appeared at the 2011 National Book Festival, as did Sylvia Nasar, Cassandra Clare, Wally Amos, Sara Paretsky, and more.

John E.L. Tenney of A&E's Paranormal State presents the top ten most haunted placed in Michigan. Do you live near a known source of "Supernatural Phenomena"? Why do ghost hunters from all over the world come to Michigan? How/why do people become ghost hunters? This program will include a visual presentation that is only appropriate for ages 12 through adult. Join us for this shocking evening on October 26 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room.

Christopher Columbus first made landfall in the Americas on October 12, 1492 somewhere in the Bahamas, on an island which the natives called Guanahani and which Columbus renamed San Salvador. This date is a observed as public holiday in the United States as well as in many countries in South America. It is known as Discovery Day in the Bahamas, Day of the Americas in Uruguay and Day of the Cultures in Costa Rica. Many historians, however, are still asking the question "Who really discovered America?" Everyone knows that Native Americans were here long before Columbus arrived. In addition, Norse expeditions to North America have been historically established. Claims of discovery have also been made for St.

As the Canton Public Library continues to deal with a declining budget, patrons are reminded the "magazine express" program has been discontinued. The following titles remain as single shelf copies with back issues available for checkout — these titles include:

September 6–November 27
Pictures of Resistance: The Wartime Photographs of Jewish Partisan Faye Schulman Exhibit

The lives of partisans depended on their ability to remain unseen, undocumented and unidentifiable. But one fighter, Faye Schulman, had a camera. Schulman’s rare collection of images captures the camaraderie, horror and loss, bravery and triumph of the rag-tag, tough partisans—some Jewish, some not—who fought the Germans and their collaborators.

This exhibit is sponsored by the University Library and the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan. Additional events will be held at the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library, Gallery in Room 100 (use Diag entrance) at 913 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI.

Public parking is available in the structure at 650 S. Forest, just south of S. University. Free and open to the public