11 Books that Inspired the 2013 Oscar Films

Books are available to checkout at the Dexter District Library prior to the 85th Academy Awards on Sunday.

This year, 11 Academy Award nominees are based on books or book series. As much as five of the nine films listed in the Best Picture category are book adaptations. The movie industry took a lot of inspiration from books this year, so before checking out all the Hollywood glitz and glamour, head over to the Dexter District Library and borrow one of these available books. Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, was adapted to the big screen by Director Ang Lee. The movie was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Best Cinematography, Best Music (Original Score), and Best Music (Original Song). The precocious son of a zookeeper, 16-year-old Pi Patel is raised in Pondicherry, India. Planning a move to Canada, his …

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Library Links

Dexter Library Used Book Sale Set for Today

Prices on books and movies range from 25 cents to $2.

The Friends of the Dexter District Library will host a used book sale today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the library's lower level. Prices range from 25 cents to $2. There is also a selection of various priced Valentine gift books and video cassette tapes available. All proceeds benefit the library.

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Dexter Library Begins New Winter Book Club

Adults can join the "Hot Reads for Cold Nights" program through January.

Looking for something to help you avoid the winter bahs? Consider signing up for the Dexter District Library’s new adult winter reading program - Hot Reads for Cold Nights. This program is open to all adults, and will run from Jan. 7 through Feb. 28. Sign up is available at the Adult Service desk. Participants will receive a reading journal and a list of books to pick from. Participants can choose any of the books to read during the winter and can keep track of their progress with a reading journal. There will also be three scheduled group meetings to talk about what you are reading or just hear what other members are reading. A final wrap up party will take place on Feb 28 at 7 p.m., with a prize for everyone. For more information, call …

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St. Joseph Quintet Perform Free Christmas Concert in Dexter Today

The musical group "5 from Grace" will perform at Joe & Rosie's Coffee in downtown Dexter.

The St. Joseph Catholic Church quintet, "5 From Grace," is performing a Christmas show Dec. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Joe & Rosie's in downtown Dexter. Come and enjoy some holiday tunes and a nice hot festive beverage. Santa Clause will visit Alpha Coney Island on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gordo the Magician will perform from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Kids will enjoy a free pancake or french toast meal and a free drink. There will also be complimentary cookies and doughnuts for all customers. The Dexter High School Orchestra Strings and The Washtenaw Community Orchestra Chorus will perform a special Christmas concert at Dexter High School on Sunday at 4 p.m. The concert includes Francis Poulenc's "Gloria," Johann Sebastian Bach's "Jesu, …

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Dexter District Library Hosts Red Cross Blood Drive Dec. 13

Donors can sign up for an appointment online to reduce wait times.

The Dexter District Library will host a blood drive for the Washtenaw County Red Cross on Dec. 13. The blood drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the library’s lower level meeting rooms. New and existing donors are encouraged to sign up or drop in to give blood. The Red Cross will be collecting whole blood, which will be used to help individuals in Southeast Michigan who need transfusions during surgeries, as a result of accidents, or as a part of ongoing medical treatments. New donors are encouraged to stop in during the day of the drive. Existing donors may schedule an appointment time in advance on the Red Cross web site, www.redcrossblood.org. Use the sponsor code "dexterlibrary" to locate the drive. Advance scheduling …

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Dexter District Library Board to Hold Public Hearing on Internet Access and Safety Policy

The public can provide feedback about the policy at the hearing on Dec. 3.

The Dexter District Library Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on the library’s Internet Access and Safety Policy on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. The policy has been revised to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and to help the library qualify for additional federal grant funding through the E-Rate program. Minimal revisions to the library’s Internet Access and Safety Policy were required. The policy addresses access by minor’s to inappropriate matter available on the Internet, the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other electronic communications, unauthorized access (including “hacking”) by minors, unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal information and …

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Grass Lake Author Robin Mather Wraps Up "Community Read" Program in Dexter

The local author will share tips with residents on how to find healthy, local food on a budget.

The Dexter District Library will close out this year's Community Read program on Nov. 10 with presentations by Grass Lake resident Robin Mather. A native of Grass Lake, Mather will discuss her book, The Feast Nearby. Her book is a collection of essays and recipes from a year of eating locally on a budget of $40 a week. With insight and humor, Mather explores the confusion and needful compromises in eating locally and forges connections with the farmers, vendors, and growers who provide her with sustenance. The library will also have plenty of tantalizing, local, and healthy treats for visitors. The Community Read program was presented as a joint project between the Chelsea District Library, Dexter District Library, Grass Lake branch of the…

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Marilyn Wilkie

10:13 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012

I read her book a few months ago and enjoyed it very much. She definitely has her heart in the right place and is not afraid to show it. We too are eating in the way that she describes in her book. I look forward to meeting her.   more ›

Dexter District Library Hosts Volunteer Literacy Workshop

Volunteers are needed to help tutor adults and children in Washtenaw County who struggle with reading.

Did you know that one out of every eights adult in Washtenaw County lacks the basic skills to read, write or communicate in English? In an effort to combat this disturbing trend, Washtenaw Literacy will host a forum titled “The ABCs of Washtenaw Literacy: Volunteer Recruitment and Orientation” on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Dexter District Library. This program will give volunteers who are interested in teaching adults how to read, an opportunity to meet representatives from Washtenaw Literacy to find out about tutoring opportunities. Washtenaw Literacy provides free literacy instruction, customized to the needs of adults throughout Washtenaw County, by utilizing a trained network of volunteer tutors. It is Washtenaw Literacy’s vision to …

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Dexter Parents, Educators Say Improvements Needed in Education

Participants at a Center for Michigan education forum on Monday voted on key issues involving schools and students.

Support for teachers and year-round schooling were just a few of the topics members of the Dexter community weighed in on Monday at the Dexter District Library. The group of about 16, which included school board members and parents, were participants in a community conversation facilitated by the Center for Michigan, a think-tank based in Ann Arbor. The forum, co-sponsored by Patch and the library, was one of 250 that will be held this year throughout the state. Attendees at the forum weighed in on local issues with hand-held voting devices. For instance, when asked if the current pre-K-12 education system offers taxpayers a good return on their investment, 57 percent said they agreed, 7 percent strongly agreed, 21 percent disagreed, and …

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Dexter, Chelsea Libraries Kick-Off 'Community Read' Program

Copies of the book "In Defense of Food" have been placed in communities throughout western Washtenaw County for residents to read.

The Chelsea District Library in conjunction with the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation, kicked off its 5-H Community Read program for residents of the Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester, and Stockbridge on Saturday. The project is part of a region-wide effort spearheaded by the CWF designed to bring readers, business owners and other community members together to read and discuss one book to build a sense of community while promoting literacy. More than 1,500 copies of the book "In Defense of Food" are beginning to circulate among the five communities with the tag line "Read it, Sign it, Share it" to encourage everyone to read the book, sign the bookplate and pass it on to a neighbor or leave it in a public location.

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