Library Events & Programming

CHILDREN
TEENS & TWEENS
ADULTS
FAMILIES
STORYTIMES

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

Block Party at the Library

Children can develop their engineering skills, an important STEAM concept, by attending Block Party at the Library, a program from the Nicholson Memorial Library System for children ages 4 through 12. Block Party at the Library is designed to help children test their building skills and stretch their imaginations while having fun. The program challenges participants to use building blocks to create unique structures within one hour.

3 p.m., Tuesday, June 25
Central Library
972-205-2516

Block Party at the Library is a free event. Children ages 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult in order to attend. The Library provides all supplies used at this event. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change.

Mad Science: Moon Odyssey

Become a Mad Science Astronaut and discover the principles of space and space travel, courtesy of Mad Science and NASA.

2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 26
South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3933

2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 27
Walnut Creek Branch Library
972-205-2585

2:30 p.m., Friday, June 28
Central Library
972-205-2516

2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 29
North Garland Branch Library
972-205-2804

Part of the Children's Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Stories.” Some locations have limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change.

Family Movie: WALL-E

Bring a blanket and attend a free movie with your family. In WALL-E, Earth has been abandoned by mankind. WALL-E the robot cleans up the planet by collecting trash. WALL-E enjoys listening to music and finding trinkets but is lonely until EVE, a reconnaissance robot, arrives to find out if Earth can support life again. The movie is rated G.

2:30 p.m., Friday, June 28
Walnut Creek Branch Library
972-205-2585

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

Art Explorers: Paint Galaxies at the Walnut Creek Branch Library

Children ages 6 through 12 can paint their own galaxies at this month’s Art Explorers event. Children attending Art Explorers learn about different types of art, then develop their STEAM art skills by creating their own masterpieces. Attendees at the July event will make painted galaxies using acrylic paint, brushes and sponges, and black paper. They will add white stars to the finished paintings by gently tapping a brush with white paint.

2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 6
Walnut Creek Branch Library
Registration opens June 22
972-205-2585

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, June 22. All supplies are provided by the library. 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.

Family Board Games at the North Garland Branch Library

Families and children of all ages can drop in to the North Garland Branch Library and enjoy board games and card games. Players can choose from a variety of card games and board games, as well as some life-sized games such as Jenga, Sudoku, and Angry Birds.

2:30 to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 6
North Garland Branch Library
972-205-2804

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.

Garland Symphony Orchestra visits Preschool Storytime

Preschoolers ages three to five can get a taste of STEAM learning this summer as members of the Garland Symphony Orchestra (GSO) visit three Garland library locations. STEAM learning has become a dominant part of both national and local school district curriculums and teaches kids science, technology, engineering, art, and math in fun and engaging ways. Children attending these events will learn about music as an art form as GSO members teach them about the different musical instruments that form the orchestra and demonstrate how they are played.

11 a.m., Monday, July 8 - during Preschool Storytime
Central Library
972-205-2516

11 a.m., Friday, July 26 - during Preschool Storytime
North Garland Branch Library
972-205-2804

In addition to this special event, Garland Libraries also host STEAM-related programming for school-aged children and offer STEAM educational technology for children ages two through twelve.

Block Party at the Central Library

Children can develop their engineering skills, an important STEAM concept, by attending Block Party at the Library, a program from the Nicholson Memorial Library System for children ages 4 through 12. The program challenges participants to use building blocks to create unique structures within one hour. Block Party at the Library is designed to help children test their building skills and stretch their imaginations while having fun.

3 p.m., Tuesday, July 9
Central Library
972-205-2516

3 p.m., Tuesday, July 23
Central Library
972-205-2516

Block Party at the Library is a free event open to children ages 4 through 12 and their caregivers. Children ages 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult in order to attend. The Library provides all supplies used at this event. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. 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.

Dallas Zoo Animal Show

The Dallas Zoo comes to you! The Zoo’s Animal Adventures staff brings a variety of animals from around the world to the library. Attendees can meet birds, mammals, and reptiles.

A limited supply of armbands will be given out at the South Garland Branch Library and Central Library appearances on a first-come, first-served basis. The Library will begin handing out armbands 1 hour before each show with seating beginning at 2:15 p.m.

Armbands will be required at the Central Library and South Garland Branch.

2:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 10
South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3933
Armband required

2:30 p.m., Thursday, July 11
Walnut Creek Branch Library
972-205-2585

2:30 p.m., Friday, July 12
Central Library
972-205-2516
Armband required

2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 13
North Garland Branch Library
972-205-2804

Some locations have limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. 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.

Tween Scene: Interactive Harry Potter Film Screening

Tweens ages 10 to 13 can celebrate Harry Potter’s twenty-first birthday by attending an interactive screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone at the Garland Library’s Tween Scene programs in July. Attendees at the July events will receive bags of props to use during the screening. The bags will include wands, noisemakers, paper airplanes, and a Hogwarts train ticket, in addition to snacks. Tweens will be prompted when it is time to use their props.

5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 11
South Garland Branch Library
Registration opens June 27
972-205-3933

5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 18
North Garland Branch Library
Registration opens July 5
972-205-2804

Registration is required to attend the July Tween Scene events and is limited to twenty participants each. Due to the length of the film, the July Tween Scene events will begin earlier than usual. Tween Scene is a program series designed for youth ages 10 through 13 that 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. 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.

Family Film: Sensory-Friendly showing of Wall-E at the Walnut Creek Branch Library

Families with children ages 12 and younger with special needs are invited to attend a sensory-friendly film screening of Wall-E at the Walnut Creek Branch Library. This event will feature a lower volume level, fidget toys, a limited number of sunglasses for children with light sensitivity, and a limited number of headphones for those with noise sensitivity. The lights will also be left on and children will be able to walk, talk, sing, and move about during the film. An adult will be required for each special needs child attending. The event is limited to 20 children.

In WALL-E, Earth has been abandoned by mankind. WALL-E the robot cleans up the planet by collecting trash. WALL-E enjoys listening to music and finding trinkets but is lonely until EVE, a reconnaissance robot, arrives to find out if Earth can support life again. The movie is rated G.

WALL-E
2:30 p.m., Friday, July 12
Walnut Creek Branch Library
Registration opens Friday, June 28
972-205-2585

Registration is required to attend this sensory-friendly film screening. Doors will open 15 minutes prior to the event. Refreshments will be available while supplies last. 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.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science: Superhero Science

This interactive, educator-led show will explore the science behind superheroes and their fantastic powers. Enjoy demonstrations on topics such as matter and energy, magnetism, levitation, and light properties.

2:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 17
South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3933

2:30 p.m., Thursday, July 18
Walnut Creek Branch Library
972-205-2585

2:30 p.m., Friday, July 19
Central Library
972-205-2516

2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 20
North Garland Branch Library
972-205-2804

Rochelle Rabouin: Mae Among the Stars at the South Garland Branch Library

Learn about Mae Carol Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space. Rochelle Rabouin is a vocalist, musician, and Master Teaching Artist who integrates multiple art forms into her presentations.

2:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 24
South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3933

Some locations have limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children. 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.

James Wand Magic

Assist magician James Wand on a mission of magic and mystery. Help him solve clues, crack codes, and perform magic on this top secret adventure.

2:30 p.m., Thursday, July 25
Walnut Creek Branch Library
972-205-2585

2:30 p.m., Friday, July 26
Central Library
972-205-2516

2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 27
North Garland Branch Library
972-205-2804

Toddler dance party at the North Garland Branch Library Storytime

Toddlers, put on your boogie shoes and join us for the Toddler Dance Party! At this special storytime there will be musical games, guided dance, and free dance time.

10 a.m., Friday, July 26
North Garland Branch Library
972-205-2804

For toddlers Ages 18 - 36 months. 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.

Family Block Party at the Walnut Creek Branch Library

Practice your engineering skills and make original Lego® creations as a family by attending Block Party at the Library, a family event from the Nicholson Memorial Library System. Block Party at the Library is designed to help attendees develop their STEAM engineering skills in a family-friendly environment. The program challenges participants to use building blocks to create unique structures within one hour.

2:30 p.m., Friday, July 26
Walnut Creek Branch Library
972-205-2585

Block Party at the Library is a free event open to families. Children ages 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult in order to attend. The Library provides all supplies used at this event. 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.

Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party: Celebrate a Summer Well Spent at the Library

Participants in the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Summer Reading Program can celebrate their accomplishments by attending the Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party. The beloved children’s book character Biscuit the Dog, created by Alyssa Capucilli, will be on hand to meet party-goers and take photos. Attendees may also make Biscuit-themed crafts. Refreshments will be available while supplies last.

2:30 p.m., Monday, July 29
Central Library
972-205-2517

The grand prize drawings for each Summer Reading Program age group, babies, kids, and teens, will be conducted at the party as well. If present, winners may receive their prizes at this time, though attendance is not required to win.

Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. 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.

Creative Kids Workshops

School-age children, ages 7 to 12, have the opportunity to become creative kids this summer by joining the Creative Kids Group at the South Garland Branch Library. This program series features a different class each Tuesday, beginning June 4 and ending July 23. Each class runs from 7 to 8 p.m. During these sessions children will learn a new creative skill and then practice with hands-on activities and crafts. There is a class to engage almost every child.

June 11 Rover Races

Learn about rovers like those used on Mars, then make a model rover out of food items like Twizzlers, frosting, marshmallows, peppermints, and Kit-Kat bars. THIS CLASS IS FULL

June 18 Pocket-Sized Solar System

Discover the elements that make up our solar system, and create a pocket-sized version using stickers.

June 25 Jedi Training

Experience Jedi training by completing Star Wars-themed activities, such as making Leia hair buns or Yoda ears, building droids, practicing with lightsabers, and flying paper airplanes through a Death Star trench. THIS CLASS IS FULL

July 2 Create Your Own Planet

Design your own planet, then build it using Play Doh and styrofoam. When you are finished, share facts about your planet’s size, distance from the sun, and number of moons with your friends. THIS CLASS IS FULL

July 9 Space Landing Mission

Help friendly aliens land on Earth by constructing shock-absorbing landers using paper, index cards, straws, and marshmallows. Test your lander by dropping it from a height of three feet, then redesign if necessary. THIS CLASS IS FULL

July 16 Build Your Own Moon Habitat

Celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the moon landing by making your own miniature moon habitat out of recycled materials.

July 23 Space Suncatchers

Create a space-themed suncatcher using stained-glass paint and clear plastic plates. Once the paint has dried, staff will help you add stars for a finished look. THIS CLASS IS FULL

Registration is required to attend Creative Kids and begins Wednesday, May 1. Due to the popularity of these programs, registration is limited to 30 participants, and parents may register their children for a maximum of two programs per month. 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. The South Garland Branch Library is located at 4845 Broadway Blvd., at Oates Rd. Call 972-205-3933 for information on specific classes and to register.