The Nicholson Memorial Library System has announced a variety of activities for adults and children to enjoy in September.
Adults cook the book – 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 library system. The first Cook the Book event will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3 at the South Garland Branch. To register for the event, participants will choose a recipe from a pre-selected cookbook and 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. The cookbook for September will consist of Italian food recipes. Cook the Book is open to adults 18+ who register.
Adults craft bottle cap pin cushions– Adults make pincushions using plastic bottle caps, fabric, fiberfill and decorative materials at the next adult craft workshop at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at South Garland Branch. Each workshop features a unique craft project or art piece. Supplies provided by the library. Registration required and begins Saturday, Aug. 24. Call 972-205-3931 to register. Sponsored by the Friends of the Nicholson Memorial Library System and open to adults ages 18+.
Kids paint watercolor trees – Ages 6-12 can make watercolor paintings of trees at Art Explorers at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Walnut Creek Branch. Children learn about different types of art, then develop their STEAM art skills to create masterpieces. Attendees will be taught a watercolor painting technique using paintbrushes loaded with paint. Participants receive instruction on how to tap their brushes with a pencil to create controlled paint spatter that resembles leaves. Children will add the tree trunks and branches as final step. Registration is required. Register by phone or in person at the Walnut Creek Branch beginning Saturday, Aug. 24. Supplies provided by library. 972-205-2585.
Kids build squishy circuits – Ages 6-12 explore principles of electricity at Books and Beyond at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Central Library. Program consists of book discussions and activities related to themes. Each theme incorporates concepts from STEAM. Children use imaginations to explore the themes and complete activities while socializing with others. 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 circuits to make the LEDs light up. Registration required, begins Saturday, Aug. 31. 972-205-2516.
Friends of the Library announces Fall Book Sale – The Friends organization announces its Fall Book Sale at the South Garland Branch. Shoppers may find great bargains on a 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 dates are Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13 and 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. Admission is free.
The book sale will be open to Friends members only Thursday, Sept. 12, after 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. 972-205-2543 or folgarland@gmail.com.
“Ask A Lawyer” returns to Central Library – NMLS will offer a free “Ask A Lawyer” event for adults Saturday, Sept. 7, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 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. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, and attorneys at this event will not be accepting or soliciting for clients. Registration at the door is required and will end at 12 p.m. Event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov, for information.
Adults gain financial literacy – Adults 18+ learn basics of budgeting and financial literacy at Money Smart at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 at Central Library. Attendees will be introduced to two modules in Money Smart, a financial literacy program developed by the FDIC. Modules present budgeting techniques, explain how to read a pay statement, cover how to develop a spending plan and recommend which bills to prioritize. Registration required, begins Tuesday, Sept. 10. 972-205-2502.
Jazzland at Senior Social Hour – Senior citizens can enjoy the musical stylings of the ensemble Jazzland at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Central Library. 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. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Senior Social Hour programs are free and open to anyone 55+. Registration not required, but seats fill up quickly. Doors open 30 minutes before performance. Donations of gently-used books and media for the Friends of the Library book sale will be accepted. Event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov or call 972-205-2502.
Families enjoy free movies – Let’s Go to the Movies will be Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2:30 p.m. and will consist of a screening of 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns. In the film, nanny Mary Poppins returns to London decades after her first visit. Rated PG. Doors open 15 minutes early. Seating is limited. No registration required. All ages welcome. Free popcorn and water. 972-205-3933.
Teens create Suminagashi art – Ages 13-17 can practice art of suminagashi, or paper marbling, at Central Library Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Suminagashi is a centuries-old floating ink technique that originated in Japan. It was used in the bookmaking process in 19th-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 water and ink will adhere to paper with very little smudging, resulting in a unique print. No registration required. 972-205-2516.
Tweens make monogram tissue art -Ages 10-13 use STEAM art skills to make monogram tissue art. Tween Scene 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 on Thursday evenings. Participants 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, cover the canvas in tissue paper and spray it with water so that the tissue paper colors bleed onto the canvas. When tissue paper and stickers are removed, they will have unique pieces of monogramed art Tween Scenes are at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5, at South Garland Branch and 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12, at North Garland Branch. 972-205-3933 for South Garland Branch, 972-205-2804 for North Garland Branch.
New adult book club debuts – Adults 18+ are invited to join a new book club at South Garland Branch. Inaugural meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19. At first meeting, library staff and attendees will determine club’s direction, goals, style and reading list for next six months. Participants are encouraged to bring title selections. No registration required.
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.
South Garland Branch Library – 4845 Broadway Blvd.
Central Library – 625 Austin Street
Walnut Creek Branch – 3319 Edgewood Drive
North Garland Branch – 3845 North Garland Avenue