The art exhibition will coincide with the dedication of Royal Oak Public Library Butterfly Garden Dedication Ceremony on June 23, 2012. Names of participating artists will be included in the Butterfly Garden Dedication program.

Announcing the ELF™ Browser, a child-safe tool that allows children to explore educational and fun websites on the internet. The ELF™ Browser maintains high quality resources on a secured network provided by AWE Digital Learning Solutions. The ELF™ Browser provides added security for parents and a safe way for children to navigate their online environment. This new feature is available on all twelve computers in the Children’s department and can be downloaded and installed on your personal computer.

To help parents encourage their children’s sense of discovery and promote the 21st century learner, we are pleased to announce The AWE (The Advanced Workstation in Education) Early Literacy Station at The Royal Oak Public Library. This system is located in the Youth Services Department and is available for young children to explore and learn. The station features a touchscreen and a brightly colored keyboard which make learning fun. The unit contains pre-loaded software of over 50 age appropriate educational games that promote one-to-one interaction for critical skills development. In addition, the software meets seven curricular areas and is designed to inspire life-long learning. During a time when media literacy has become increasingly important, the library provides a way for all members of our community to utilize this literacy tool.

Generous support for the AWE Early Literacy Station is made possible from the Praxair Foundation, Inc. The Praxair Foundation, Inc. supports public libraries in their efforts to upgrade their technology and assist in acquiring innovative materials and programs. This donation was acquired through a Library Links grant which allowed our library to purchase this pioneering technology for our community.

Long-time Detroit automotive writer Bill Vlasic will visit the Library Wednesday, June 6 at 7:00 PM to talk about his book Once Upon a Car: The Fall and Resurrection of America’s Big Three Automakers – GM, Ford and Chrysler.

Vlasic visited corporate offices, factory floors and union halls to tell the tale of the decline of the Big Three and how they ultimately came back from the brink – with the help of a government bailout in the case of GM and Chrysler. Vlasic, Detroit bureau chief for The New York Times and formerly with the Detroit News, examines what led auto executives to appear before Congress in 2008 asking for financial help and how all three automakers pulled out of the decline that threatened to kill the U.S. auto industry.