Garland’s Nicholson Memorial LIbrary System has announced its July activities. It includes a variety of interesting, entertaining events for children and adults.
Seniors enjoy a cappella group – Enjoy the resurgence of a cappella music with performance by Smooth Brew at Senior Social Hour at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 18. Smooth Brew is a quartet that performs pop, jazz, doo-wop and barbershop music. The group has performed at Frisco Convention Center, Grapevine Public Library and Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Senior Social Hour programs are free and open to anyone 55+. Registration not required. Seats fill quickly. Doors open 30 minutes early. 972-205-2502.
Kids paint galaxies – Children ages 6-12 can paint their own galaxies at Art Explorers at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6 at the Walnut Creek Branch. Children learn about different types of art, then develop their STEAM art skills by creating masterpieces. Attendees will make painted galaxies using acrylic paint, brushes and sponges then add stars with white paint. Registration required and limited to 24 participants. Register by phone or in person at Walnut Creek Branch beginning Saturday, June 22. Supplies provided by library. 972-205-2585.
Jedi lightsaber training – Fans of Star Wars can perfect their lightsaber skills at the lightsaber training workshop. Workshop is at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at the Central Library. Library staff will explain the parts of a lightsaber and demonstrate general and choreographed lightsaber fighting techniques. There will also be time for free play with pool noodle lightsabers. Registration required, is limited to 20 participants ages 12+ and begins Saturday, July 6. 972-205-2501.
Adult spelling bee at Intrinsic Brewery – Show off skills, win prizes, earn bragging rights at Adult Spelling Bee at Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 7. Register in teams of no more than four at Central Library beginning Monday, June 24, or at Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery on event day. Teams will be given a word and allowed to consult with teammates for 30 seconds before signaling bee judges that they are ready to spell. Each correctly spelled word will earn one point. Incorrect words will result in loss of a point. First team to reach 10 points wins. First, second, third and last place teams receive prizes. Intrinsic is at 509 West State Street. Event co-sponsored by Friends of the Library and Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery. 972-205-2501.
Library screens Galaxy Quest – Adults can enjoy a free screening of the film Galaxy Quest at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13 at South Garland Branch. In Galaxy Quest, former cast members of a space-themed television series must reprise their roles in the real world when an alien race needs help defeating a reptilian warlord. Film is rated PG. Due to mild language it’s recommended for adults. Children may attend with adult. Doors open 15 minutes before event. Registration not required. Seating is limited. Popcorn and water available while supplies last. 972-205-3931.
Adults paint tote bags – Adults can create painted tote bags that look like galaxies at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11 at North Garland Branch. The workshop inspired by the Adult Reading Program’s theme, A Universe of Stories. Participants will use acrylic paint, glue, glitter and rhinestones to produce the galaxy effect on the tote bags. Be sure to wear clothing for painting. Paint and other supplies provided by library. Registration is required and limited to 24. Registration begins Thursday, June 27. 972-205-2803. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and open to adults 18+.
Block Party Program develops STEAM engineering skills – Children can develop engineering skills by attending Block Party at the Library for ages 4-12. This free program is designed to help children test building skills and stretch imaginations. Program challenges participants to use building blocks to create structures in one hour. Block Party is at 3 p.m. Tuesdays, July 9 and July 23 at Central Library. Children 6 and under must be accompanied by adult. Library provides supplies. 972-205-2516.
Family Lego® program develops STEAM engineering skills – Practice engineering skills and make original Lego® creations as a family. This free program challenges participants to use building blocks to create unique structures. Event is at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 26, at Walnut Creek Branch. Children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Library provides supplies. 971-205-2585.
Special children’s programs – As part of the Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Stories,” the NMLS presents special, free programs for children in July.
Dallas Zoo Animal Show – The Dallas Zoo’s Animal Adventures staff brings a variety of animals to library. Attendees meet birds, mammals and reptiles. Limited supply of armbands will be given out at South Garland Branch and Central Library appearances on first-come, first-served basis.
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 10 – South Garland Branch, 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Thursday, July 11 – Walnut Creek Branch, 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Friday, July 12 – Central Library, 972-205-2516
2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 13 – North Garland Branch, 972-205-2804
Seating on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children.
Special children’s programs – As part of the Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Stories,” the NMLS presents special, free programs in July.
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, 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Thursday, July 18 – Walnut Creek Branch, 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, 972-205-2804
Seating on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children.
Special children’s programs – As part of the Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Stories,” the NMLS presents special, free programs in July.
Rochelle Rabouin: Mae Among the Stars – Learn about Mae Carl Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel in space. Rabouin is a vocalist, musician, master teaching artist.
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 24 – South Garland Branch, 972-205-3933
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, 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, 972-205-2804
Seating on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children.
Families Invited to play board games – Families can drop in to North Garland Branch and enjoy board games and card games Saturday, July 6, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Players can choose from variety of card games and board games, as well as some life-sized games such as Jenga, Sudoku and Angry Birds.
Sensory-friendly family film screening – Families with children 12 and younger with special needs are invited to attend a sensory-friendly film screening at the Walnut Creek Branch. The film WALL-E will be shown at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 12. 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. Movie rated G. Registration is required. Event features lower volume level. Available for use during film are fidget toys, a limited number of sunglasses for children with light sensitivity and a limited number of headphones for those with noise sensitivity. Lights will be left on and children will be able to talk, sing and move about. An adult is required for each special needs child. Event limited to 20 participants. Registration begins Friday, June 28. Doors open 15 minutes before event. Refreshments available while supplies last. 972-205-2585.
Children celebrate a summer well spent – Participants in the Summer Reading Program can celebrate their accomplishments by attending the Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party at 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 29 at Central Library. The children’s book character Biscuit the Dog 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. Grand prize drawings for each Summer Reading Program age group will be conducted at party. Winners may receive prizes at this time, but attendance not required to win.
Tweens attend interactive Harry Potter film screening – Tweens 10-13 can celebrate Harry Potter’s 21st birthday by attending an interactive screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Program takes place twice a month at various library locations on Thursday evenings. July attendees will receive props to use during the screening. Bags will include wands, noisemakers, paper airplanes, a Hogwarts train ticket and snacks. Tweens will be prompted when to use props. Registration required, is limited to 20 participants and begins two weeks before each event. Due to length of film, events begin at 5:30 p.m. July 11, at South Garland Branch and at 5:30 p.m. July 18 at North Garland Branch.
Central Library, 625 Austin Street in downtown Garland
South Garland Branch, 4845 Broadway Blvd. at Oates Road
North Garland Branch, 3845 North Garland Avenue at Apollo Road
Walnut Creek Branch, 3319 Edgewood Drive
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.
Due to planned construction, event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest information.