Library Events & Programming

Every Child Ready to Read^©

Every Child Ready to Read^© is a program designed to help parents and caregivers help their children be ready to read. These pre-literacy activities are designed for ages 0 through 5 years and will change every other week. These simple activities encourage a child's ability to learn and form both spoken and written words. Teaching parents and other caregivers how to support the early literacy development of their children is the basis of Every Child Ready to Read^© at the Garland Libraries. 

1 of the 5 Every Child Ready to Read^© Practices will be highlighted during each bi-weekly activity: 
1. Talking: Talking with children helps them learn oral language, one of the most critical early literacy skills. Children learn about language by listening to parents talk and joining in the conversation.
2. Singing: Singing develops language skills. Slows down language so children can hear the different sounds in words. Helps children learn new words and information.
3. Reading: Reading together develops vocabulary and comprehension, nurtures a love for reading, and motivates children to want to learn to read.
4. Writing: Children become aware that printed letters stand for spoken words as they see print used in their daily lives.
5. Playing: Play is one of the best ways for children to learn language and literacy skills. They learn about language through playing as the activities help them put thoughts into words and talk about what they are doing.

Each activity will feature 1 of 4 subjects: 
Reading
Science
Math
Art

Each of the Garland Libraries will provide pre-literacy activities that can be accessed by parents and/or caregivers and their children anytime the libraries are open.  Every location within the Garland Library system will be presenting the same subject and practice for two weeks before moving on to the next subject and practice.

Connect with your Garland Library and like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GarlandLibraryTX.
Storytime videos stay in Facebook for 24 hours.

Little art explorers: The art of shapes

2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 3
South Garland Branch Library

In September, participants will explore shapes! At the beginning of the program, we will sing a couple of songs and read a story. Then, children will discover the textures of paper and glue sticks as they create their own work of art using precut shapes (created by die cuts) to create their own collage of shapes.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an initiative from the 1000 Books Foundation that encourages children to read or be read ONE THOUSAND books before beginning Kindergarten.  In as little as 15 minutes a day, families can work toward this goal and help their children to build the skills needed for future school and life success.  Babies, Toddler, and Preschoolers ages 0 to 6 are welcome to participate in this ongoing program.

How it works
Register for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten in person at your local Garland Library, or register online using Beanstack: https://nmls.beanstack.org/reader365
    Already have a Beanstack account?  Just sign in to get started!

Come in and pick up a log, or use one of our printable reading logs below:
    1,000 Books Log 1-100
    1,000 Books Log 101-200
    1,000 Books Log 201-300
    1,000 Books Log 301-400
    1,000 Books Log 401-500
    1,000 Books Log 501-600
    1,000 Books Log 601-700
    1,000 Books Log 701-800
    1,000 Books Log 801-900
    1,000 Books Log 901-1,000

Once your child has completed a log, bring it to the Children’s Desk at any of our libraries to receive a prize and the next reading log. 

Teen Advisory Board

Teens ages 13 to 17 can make a difference in their community by joining the Garland Library Teen Advisory Board. Teens will discuss how the library can serve their age group in terms of events, materials, and services. Participants will receive volunteer hours for attending.

6:30 to 8:30 p.m., second Thursday of the month
Central Library
972-205-2516

In addition to helping improve library service to teens, serving on the Advisory Board allows teens to socialize with their peers. Teens who apply for board membership need parental consent and must attend two consecutive meetings and a total of eight meetings per year to officially serve as members.

The Teen Advisory Board meeting dates for 2022:
August 11

Interviewing 101   https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/20438

DIY Friendship Bracelets   https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/20346

College and Financial Aid 101    https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/19174

Adulting 101: Digital Citizenship and Online Safety    https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/17829

Teen Self-Portraits   https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/18320

Adulting 101: Resumes and Applications  https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/18316

Art 101  https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/18285

Blind date with a book!

Garland’s Central Library is offering its adult patrons one final fun summer activity. Throughout August patrons can go on “blind dates” with books by checking out a book without knowing the title or author.

 The books will be wrapped in paper and located on the library’s display shelving. The first line of the book and its genre—science fiction, romance, horror, YA— will be written on each book’s wrapping. 

Participants may also fill out a review card to give their opinions on the books they chose. Patrons who return their review cards by Aug. 31 will be entered into a prize drawing to win gift cards to a local ice cream shop.

Senior Social Hour: Dallas Zoo Animals

Join us at Central Library where the Zoo comes to you! Seniors, 55+, are invited to meet 6-8 zoo animals including mammals, reptiles, and birds!

2 p.m., Thursday, August 18
Central Library

Adult Book Clubs

Adult Book Club
6:30 p.m., Thursday, August 18
South Garland Branch Library

This month's selection is The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Adults ages 18 and older are invited to join book club. No registration is required to attend. The Adult Book Club meets on the third Thursday of the month.

English Conversation Class

Meeting once a week, this interactive conversation group for new English speakers and other patrons is geared toward improving every day skills in a casual setting. The program will allow participants to improve their conversational skills in a friendly environment as well as build vocabulary and confidence.

6 p.m., Mondays
Central Library

6:30 p.m., Tuesdays 
South Garland Branch Library

For more information please call 972-205-2501.

Computer Classes for Beginners

2 p.m., Tuesdays
Central Library
972-205-2502

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• September 6 - Mouse and Keyboarding for Beginners 
• September 20 - Desktop and File Management 
• October 4 - Getting on the Internet 
• October 18 - Intro to Word 
• November 1 - Intro to Excel 
• November 15 - Google Docs for Beginners

Central Library 
972-205-2516

Participation in Library computer classes is free and open to adult Garland residents. Registration is required and begins 2 weeks before the class. Call 972-205-2501 with any questions.

Every Body Yoga

Adults can learn the basics of yoga from a professional yoga instructor. Attendees must provide their own blanket, towel, or yoga mat and are encouraged to exercise within limits of their ability and fitness levels.

2 p.m., Fridays beginning September 9th
South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3931