The Nicholson Memorial Library System has announced its schedule of activities for July. Special performers for children and families include:
Central Library – 625 Austin Street
Special Performers, 2:30 p.m. on Mondays
July 9 Dallas Zoo Animal Show
July 16 Entertainer Brett Roberts
July 23 Heard Museum
July 30 Magician Will Baffle
South Garland Branch Library – 4845 Broadway Boulevard at Oates Road
Special Performers, 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays
July 11 Dallas Zoo Animal Show
July 18 Entertainer Brett Roberts
July 25 Heard Museum
Aug. 1 Magician Will Baffle
Walnut Creek Branch Library – 3319 Edgewood Drive near Jupiter Road
Special Performers, 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays
July 12 Dallas Zoo Animal Show
July 19 Yo-Yo Champion Valerie Oliver
July 26 Heard Museum
Aug. 2 Magician Will Baffle
North Garland Branch Library – 3845 North Garland Avenue at Apollo Road
Special Performers, 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays
July 14 Dallas Zoo Animal Show
July 21 Yo-Yo Champion Valerie Oliver
July 28 Heard Museum
Aug. 4 Magician Will Baffle
Adult Spelling Bee at Intrinsic Brewery…Show off your spelling skills, win prizes and earn bragging rights at the Adult Spelling Bee at Downtown Garland’s Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 8. Register at Central Library beginning Monday, June 25, or at Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery upon arrival in teams of four or less. Contest consists of five 10-word rounds. Teams will be given a word and allowed to consult with teammates for 30 seconds before signaling the judges that they are ready to spell. Teams will be eliminated after two consecutive misspelled words. Both the winning team and first team eliminated will win prizes. Smokehouse and Brewery is at 509 West State Street. Event co-sponsored by Friends of Nicholson Memorial Library System and Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery. 972-205-2501.
Kids learn figure drawing…Children can develop STEAM art skills by learning figure drawing at Art Explorers, a program for ages 6-12. Next event is at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at Walnut Creek Branch. Children will learn about different types of art, then use new skills to create masterpieces. July participants will learn about pop artist Keith Haring, who is known for creating simple, featureless figures. Attendees will draw a figure using a guide, then add movement lines and color. Registration required and limited to 24. Register by phone or in person at Walnut Creek Branch Saturday, June 23. Supplies provided by library. Due to construction, event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov, for latest information. 972-205-2585.
Adults learn yoga…Adults can learn the basics of yoga at the South Garland Branch Saturday, July 14, at 2:30 p.m. A professional yoga instructor will introduce participants to 12 foundational yoga poses. Attendees must provide their own blanket, towel or yoga mat and must sign a release to participate. Event open to adults ages 18+. Due to ongoing construction, event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov for latest information. 972-205-3931.
Families invited to play board games…Families can drop in to Walnut Creek Branch and enjoy board games and card games Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Play classic “games your parents played” like dominoes, cribbage, bridge and spades. Due to ongoing construction, locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov for latest information. 972-205-2585.
Adults craft beaded bookmarks…Adults use jewelry-making techniques to make beaded bookmarks at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 24 at the Central Library. Participants will develop beading skills by attaching colorful beads and charms to silver bookmarks. Supplies will be provided by library. Registration and limited to 12 participants. Registration will begin Tuesday, July 10. Call 972-205-2501 to register. Event is open to adults ages 18 and older. Due to ongoing construction, event locations are subject to change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov, for latest information.
Adults create decorative jewelry…Adults can learn about cabochon art and make personalized jewelry at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 12 at the South Garland Branch. Cabochon jewelry consists of a highly-polished rounded gem or bead, usually worn as a pendant. Participants will use recycled book pages and clear glass pendants to make necklaces, brooches or magnets. Supplies provided by library. Registration required and limited to 12 adults. Registration will begin Saturday, June 28. Call 972-205-3931. Event open to adults 18+. Due to ongoing construction, event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov, for latest information.
Escape from Hogwarts: Escape Room Fun Harry Potter-Style…Harry Potter enthusiasts can test their knowledge of Potter trivia by visiting the Harry Potter Escape Room at the South Garland Branch Library. The escape room will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28. Participants can sign up in teams of four for 15-minute time slots in which to solve a puzzle featuring Harry Potter-themed clues. Solving the puzzle correctly will reveal a password that the team will use to ‘escape’ the room. Registration is required and participation is limited to patrons 13 and older. Due to ongoing construction, event locations are subject to change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest information.
Adults learn Japanese Origami…Adults can learn origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 17 at North Garland Branch. Workshop will begin with instruction in paper folding. Participants will then create three pieces of origami: tiny stars, butterflies and wearable samurai helmets. Library will provide supplies. Program limited to 15 individuals 18+. Registration required and begins Tuesday, July 3. To register, call 972-205-2803. Due to ongoing construction, event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov for latest information.
Block Party program develops STEAM engineering skills…Children can develop engineering skills by attending Block Party at the Library, a program for children ages 4-12. Block Party is designed to help children test building skills and stretch their imaginations. The program challenges participants to use building blocks to create unique structures. Block Party is at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 17 at Central Library. It is free and open to ages 4-12 and caregivers. Children 6 and under must be accompanied by adult. Library provides supplies. Due to construction, event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest information. 972-205-2516.
Family Lego® Program develops STEAM engineering skills…Practice engineering skills and make original Lego® creations as a family at Block Party at the Library. Event is designed to help attendees develop STEAM engineering skills in a family-friendly environment. The free program is at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at North Garland Branch. Children ages 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Library provides supplies. Due to ongoing construction, locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov for latest information. 972-205-2804.
Dallas Highland Dancers at Senior Social Hour…The Dallas Highland Dancers will make their debut appearance at Senior Social Hour Thursday, July 19 at 2 p.m. at Central Library. Since their establishment in 1992, the Dallas Highland Dancers have been providing excellent instruction in Scottish Highland dancing. Dancers range from 4 to adults and from beginner to advanced levels. The dancers perform in approximately 20 shows per year. Doors open 30 minutes before performance. Due to ongoing construction, event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov for the information. 972-205-2502. Registration not required.
Families enjoy free movie…Bring a blanket and attend free movie with your family. The Walnut Creek Branch is showing The Lion King at 2:30 Friday, July 27. In The Lion King, a lion cub prince is tricked into believing he was responsible for his father’s death. He flees into exile and only discovers his true identity as an adult lion. Rated G. Doors open 15 minutes early. Seating limited. Registration not required. All ages welcome. Due to ongoing construction, event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov, for latest information. 972-205-2585.
Libraries host Perot Museum Tech Truck…Tech-savvy tweens can put STEAM skills to good use as the Perot Museum’s Tech Truck visits free Tween Scene events. The Tech Truck is a mobile extension of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The truck, outfitted with technological gadgets and equipment like 3-D printers and laser cutters, visits community centers and libraries. Truck will appear at Tween Scene events and offer attendees creative, scientific and maker-based activities. First event is at 6:30 p.m. July 5, at South Garland Branch. Second is at 6:30 p.m. July 12 at North Garland Branch. Registration required and limited to 20 tweens ages 10-13. Registration begins two weeks before each event at location where event will be held. Due to construction, event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov, for latest information. 972-205-3933 for South Garland Library or 972-205-2804 for North Garland 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.