Library Events & Programming

Programs and events geared to elementary school age children plus toddlers and babies.

Art Explorers: Watercolor Trees at the Walnut Creek Branch Library

Children ages 6 through 12 can make watercolor paintings of trees at this month’s Art Explorers event. Attendees at the September event will be taught a watercolor painting technique using paintbrushes loaded with paint. Participants will receive instruction on how to tap their brushes with a pencil to create controlled paint spatter that resembles leaves. The technique will be repeated using multiple paint colors. Children will add the tree trunks and branches as the final step.

2:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7
Walnut Creek Branch Library
Registration opens Saturday, Aug. 24
972-205-2585

Children attending Art Explorers learn about different types of art, then develop their STEAM art skills by creating their own masterpieces. Registration is required to attend each Art Explorer program and is limited to 24 participants. Registration may be completed by phone or in person at the Walnut Creek Branch Library beginning Saturday, Aug. 24.  All supplies are provided by the library.

Books and Beyond: Squishy Circuits at the Central Library

Children ages 6 through 12 can explore the principles of electricity at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Books and Beyond program. The September program focuses on technology. Attendees will learn about electric currents and conductivity, then use dough, batteries, and LED lights to make their own squishy circuits. Participants will also conduct experiments with the circuits to make the LEDs light up.

2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14
Central Library
Registration opens August 31
972-205-2516

Books and Beyond consists of book discussions and activities related to monthly themes. Each theme incorporates concepts from STEAM learning: science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Children use their imaginations to explore the themes and complete the activities, all while socializing with others their age and having fun. Registration is required to attend this event and is limited to 24 participants ages 6 through 12. 

Let’s Go to the Movies: Mary Poppins Returns at the South Garland Branch Library

Families can enjoy free movies that are based on books at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s South Garland Branch Library this fall. The September Let’s Go to the Movies will be 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns. In the film, nanny Mary Poppins returns to London decades after her first visit. While there, Poppins helps the now-grown Banks siblings and Michael’s children deal with personal loss and rediscover the joy of living. The movie is rated PG. 

2:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21
South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3933

October: Jumanji: Into the Jungle (PG-13) (Interactive movie for teens)
November: Spiderman – Into the Spider-verse (PG) (Family movie)

Doors open 15 minutes prior to the events. Seating is limited. No registration is required, and all ages may attend these events. Free popcorn and water are available while supplies last. 

Programs and events for junior high and high school age kids.  Regular events include gaming parties.

Tween Scene: Monogram Tissue Art

Tweens ages 10 to 13 can use their STEAM art skills to make monogram tissue art at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Tween Scene events in September. Participants at the September events will make their own monogram art using canvas, bleeding tissue paper, and stickers. Tweens will use the stickers to place their initial in the middle of a canvas. Next, they will cover the canvas in tissue paper and spray it with water so that the tissue paper colors bleed onto the canvas. When the tissue paper and stickers are removed, the tweens will have unique pieces of monogrammed art to hang in their rooms.

6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5
South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3933

6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12
North Garland Branch Library
972-205-2804

Tween Scene is a program series designed for youth ages 10 through 13, which consists of activities related to fun and interesting themes. Participants also receive book recommendations based on each theme. The program takes place twice a month at various library locations on Thursday evenings.

Teens: Suminagashi Art at the Central Library

Teens ages 13 through 17 can practice the art of suminagashi, or paper marbling, at Garland’s Central Library. Suminagashi is a centuries-old floating ink technique that originated in Japan. It was commonly used in the bookmaking process in nineteenth-century Europe. The art is created by dropping special Japanese marbling ink into a tray of water. The ink will float on top of this water and can be mixed or manipulated without sinking. Paper can then be dipped into the water. The ink will adhere to the paper with very little smudging, resulting in a unique print every time the technique is used.

6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18
Central Library
972-205-2516

No registration is required to attend this event, which is open to teens ages 13 to 17.

 Senior Social Hour is for adults 55 years and older. Computer Classes are usually for adults 18 years and older.

Catch the Trains: Model Railroad Exhibit at the South Garland Branch Library

The Nicholson Memorial Library System and the Spring Creek Model Railroad Club host a free Model Train Exhibit open to the public Aug. 22 to 24 at the South Garland Branch Library.  The exhibit’s layout measures 32 by 40 feet with approximately 300 feet of dual mainline track, seven switching areas, an HOn3 narrow-gauge line, and a 30-foot main switching yard. The models represent many eras of railroading from the 1880s to the present day and operate steam, diesel, freight, and passenger equipment. Knowledgeable hobbyists can share their expertise on how to build and run model trains and answer questions during the exhibit.   

1 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24
South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3931

The exhibit is co-sponsored by the Spring Creek Model Railroad Club. 

Senior Social Hour: North Dallas Trombone Choir at the Central Library

Enjoy brass music from the Renaissance to the present day at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Senior Social Hour.  The North Dallas Trombone Choir will present an afternoon of classical, jazz, pop, and gospel music. The North Dallas Trombone Choir is an all-volunteer, trombone-exclusive group of musicians. Established in 1994, the choir performs in a wide range of musical styles and has played various venues including churches and malls. 

2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29
Central Library
972-205-2502

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Senior Social Hour programs are free and open to anyone 55 years of age and older. No registration is required to attend the event, but seats do fill up quickly. Doors open 30 minutes prior to performance. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. 

Adults Cook the Book at the South Garland Branch Library

Adults who enjoy cooking can learn new recipes and share their talents with their fellow foodies at Cook the Book, a new program from the Nicholson Memorial Library System. The cookbook for September will consist of Italian food recipes.  Cook the Book is open exclusively to adults ages 18 and older who register for the event beginning August 20. 

1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3
South Garland Branch Library
Registration opens Aug. 20
972-205-3931

In order to register for the event, participants will choose a recipe from a pre-selected cookbook. They will then prepare the recipe at home and bring it to be enjoyed in a buffet-style meal at the library on the event date. The selected cookbook will be available at the Reference Desk at the South Garland Branch Library. 

Doggie 101 at the South Garland Branch Library

Learn the basics of dog care and ownership at this informational meeting co-sponsored by Garland’s Animal Services department.

The meeting will cover:
How to find the best animal for your family
General care information
Basic training practices

7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5
South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3931

Families are welcome to attend but please leave the pups at home.

Adult Craft Workshop: Bottle Cap Pin Cushions at the South Garland Branch Library

Adults can make their own pincushions using plastic bottle caps, fabric, fiberfill, and decorative materials at the Garland Library’s next adult craft workshop. 

2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7
South Garland Branch Library
Registration opens Saturday, Aug. 24
972-205-3931

Each crafting workshop features a unique craft project or art piece. All supplies are provided by the library. Registration is required to attend and is limited to twenty-four participants. Registration will begin Saturday, Aug. 24. 

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Nicholson Memorial Library System and is open to adults ages 18 and older. 

“Ask A Lawyer” at the Central Library

Lawyers with the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers  will provide quick answers to basic legal questions. Topics addressed may include family law, estate planning, criminal law, and personal injury. 

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7
Central Library
Registration at the door is required and will end at 12 p.m.
972-205-2501

Participation in the free event is on a first-come, first-served basis, and attorneys at this event will not be accepting clients or soliciting for clients. Registration at the door is required and will end at 12 p.m. 

Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale at the South Garland Branch Library

The Nicholson Memorial Library System‘s Friends organization announces its Fall Book Sale at the South Garland Branch Library. Shoppers may find great bargains on a wide variety of adult and children's books, fiction and nonfiction, paperback and hardcover, and reference books, as well as puzzles, DVDs, audio books, computer games, and more.  

Public Book Sale: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friends members only: Thursday, Sept. 12, after the 6 p.m. annual membership meeting

The preview sale will last until 8:30 p.m. Membership forms are available at all Garland library locations during open hours, and at www.library.garlandtx.gov. To locate the printable form online, click on About Us, then Friends of the Library, and finally, click on Membership Form. Those who plan to apply on the day of the annual membership meeting are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for the process.

For more information call 972-205-2543, or email folgarland@gmail.com. The South Garland Branch Library is located at 4845 Broadway Blvd., at Oates Rd., in Garland.  Admission to the public book book sale is free.

Senior Social Hour: Jazzland Ensemble at the Central Library

Senior citizens can enjoy the musical stylings of the ensemble Jazzland at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Senior Social Hour.  Jazzland was formed in 2017 by New Horizons Band member Mica Calfee. The ensemble plays light and contemporary interpretations of classic songs such as All of Me, Fly Me to the Moon, Georgia on my Mind, and Beyond the Sea.

2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19
Central Library
972-205-2502

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Senior Social Hour programs are free and open to anyone 55 years of age and older. No registration is required to attend the event, but seats do fill up quickly. Doors open 30 minutes prior to performance. Donations of gently-used books and media for the Friends of the Library book sale will be accepted at the program. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. 

Book Club for Adults at the South Garland Library

Adults ages 18 and older are invited to join a new book club at the South Garland Branch Library.  At the first meeting, library staff and attendees will determine the club’s direction, goals, style, and reading list for the next six months. Participants are encouraged to bring title selections. 

6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19
South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3931

No registration is required to attend book club. Light refreshments will be available while supplies last. 

Adult Money Smart Workshop at the Central Library

Adults ages 18 and older can learn the basics of budgeting and financial literacy at the library’s Money Smart workshop. Attendees will be introduced to two modules in Money Smart, a financial literacy program developed by the FDIC. The modules present budgeting techniques, explain how to read a pay statement, cover how to develop a spending plan, and recommend which bills to prioritize. 

6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 24
Central Library
Registration opens Sept. 10
972-205-2502

Registration is required and is limited to 20 patrons. Registration begins Tuesday, Sept. 10. 

Fall Storytimes for Children Begin Aug. 19

The Nicholson Memorial Library System announces Fall Storytimes for children and families, Aug. 19 through Nov. 23, 2019.

Central Library
625 Austin St., 972-205-2516
Toddler Storytime (18-36 mos.)        Mondays, 10 a.m.
Preschool Storytime (3-5 yrs.)          Mondays, 11 a.m.

North Garland Branch Library
3845 North Garland Ave., 972-205-2804
Wee Read (birth to 18 mos.)            Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Toddler Storytime (18-36 mos.)        Fridays, 10 a.m.
Preschool Storytime (3-5 yrs.)          Fridays, 11 a.m.

South Garland Branch Library
4845 Broadway Blvd., 972-205-3934
Toddler Storytime (18-36 mos.)        Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
Preschool Storytime (3-5 yrs.)          Wednesdays, 11 a.m.
Family Storytime                               Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.

Walnut Creek Branch Library
3319 Edgewood Drive, 972-205-2585
Family Storytime                               Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion. For more information, please call 972-205-2516.