The Nicholson Memorial Library System has announced a list of exciting activities and there is fun for all ages.
Adults:
Adults attend interactive Matrix screening – Adults can celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film The Matrix by attending an interactive film screening at the Central Library. The screening is at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. In The Matrix, a computer hacker living a double life learns the true nature of reality and his role in the war against the super-computers trying to quash the human rebellion. The Matrix is rated R because of sci-fi violence and language. Open to adults 18+. First 50 attendees will receive a bag of props and cues to use at specific times throughout the film. Attendees are welcome to dress as Matrix characters and they may quote along with the film. 972-205-2501.
Adults learn job application basics – Patrons 16+ learn about job applications at job application class at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Central Library. Covers basics of filling out applications, explains how to implement keywords from job descriptions, suggests sources for researching a company and discusses references and cover letters. Registration not required. 972-205-2502.
Library offers patrons mystery books – Fans of detective novels and mystery fiction can have a unique mystery experience by checking out a book without knowing the title or author at Central Library. A selection of books will be wrapped in brown paper and be on library’s display shelving. The book’s mystery subgenre—forensic, classic, noir, cozy— will be written on book’s wrapping. Participants may fill out a “Case Notes” card to review the book they chose. 972-205-2501.
Zoo animals visit Senior Social Hour – Get a preview of Dallas Zoo at Senior Social Hour. Zoo staff will present interactive program at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Central Library. Program features six to eight animals with variety of birds, mammals and reptiles. Due to presence of animals, refreshments will not be served. Sponsored by Friends of the Library, programs are free and open to anyone 55+. No registration required but seats fill up quickly. Doors open 30 minutes early. Donations of gently-used books and media for Friends of the Library book sale will be accepted. 972-205-2502.
Adults Cook the Book – Adults 18+ who enjoy cooking can learn new recipes and share their talents with fellow foodies at Cook the Book. The next Cook the Book event is at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the South Garland Branch. To register, participants will choose a recipe from a pre-selected cookbook and they will prepare the recipe at home and bring it to be enjoyed in a buffet-style meal at the library on the event date. Selected cookbook will be available at Reference Desk at South Garland Branch.
Adults discover T-Shirt yarn art – Turn T-shirts into yarn for making coasters, placemats and rugs at craft workshop at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at South Garland Branch. Participants will make a coaster. Attendees should bring their own T-shirt and additional supplies will be provided by library. Registration required and limited to 24 participants. Registration begins Saturday, Sept. 21. 972-205-3931.
Adults, families build stomp rockets – Summer Reading may have ended, but adults and families can continue having space-themed fun by building and launching their own rockets. A Stomp Rockets Workshop will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at Central Library. A stomp rocket is a small rocket that is placed on a launcher and powered by stepping on an air pump. Participants will use a pattern to assemble and decorate a paper rocket and take rockets to the back lawn of the library to launch. Registration required and limited to 15 families. Registration begins Saturday, Oct. 12. 972-205-2501.
Children:
Kids make art for Hispanic Heritage Month – Ages 6-12 can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making Frida Kahlo-inspired self-portraits at Art Explorers at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Walnut Creek Branch. Children learn about types of art, then develop STEAM art skills by creating masterpieces. Attendees will learn about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and the 55 self-portraits she created. Once the drawings are complete, artists will use color pastels to add bold pops of color seen in Mexican folk art. Registration required and is limited to 24. Register by phone or in person at Walnut Creek Branch beginning Saturday, Sept. 21 and supplies provided by library. 972-205-2585.
Kids go on spy missions – Ages 6-12 attend spy school at Books and Beyond. Event is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at Central Library. Consists of book discussions and activities related to monthly themes. Each theme incorporates concepts from STEAM learning. Children use imaginations to explore themes. Attendees can participate in several spy missions, such as creating disguises, cracking codes and completing an observation test or scavenger hunt. 972-205-2516.
Preschoolers:
GFD teaches preschoolers about fire safety – In honor of Fire Safety Month, preschoolers are invited to meet Garland firefighters at North Garland Branch—Friday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. Children will learn about fire safety and receive fire chief hats. They may tour fire engines and ambulances if time allows. 972-205-2804.
Tweens, Teens:
Teens attend interactive Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle screening – Ages 13-17 can attend interactive film screening of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle at the South Garland Branch at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. In Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, four high school students are transported to a jungle through an old video game. There they are transformed into their adult avatars and forced to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives. Will they be able to beat the game or will they be stuck in it forever? Attendees will receive plastic pith helmets and bags of props to use during the screening. Registration required and limited to 20 teens. Registration begins Saturday, Sept. 28. 972-205-3933.
Teens hunt zombies – Ages 13-17 can go on a zombie hunt at South Garland Branch Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The Zombie Hunt will take the form of a modified game of Marco Polo. Two teens will volunteer to be “zombies” and will be assigned a color and blindfolded. Zombies will try to catch the other participants by tapping them on the shoulder. Teens caught by zombies will get a bandana of the successful zombie’s color and they will begin helping their zombie catch other teens. Game will end when there is only one “human” left standing. No registration required. 972-205-3933.
Tweens make Lego® likenesses – Ages 10-13 can “legofy” themselves by creating Lego®-like minifigures at Tween Scene. Participants will decorate 3-D printed Lego®-like minifigures using acrylic paints, then assemble the figure. First event is at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3, at South Garland Branch and the second is at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10, at North Garland Branch. Registration required and limited to 20 participants. Registration begins two weeks before event at location where event will be held. 972-205-3933 – South Garland Branch or 972-205-2804 – North Garland Branch.
Locations:
Central Library, 625 Austin Street in downtown Garland
South Garland Branch LIbrary, 4845 Broadway Blvd. at Oates Road
North Garland Branch Library, 3845 North Garland Avenue at Apollo Road
Walnut Creek Branch Library, 3319 Edgewood Drive
Please note:
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.