Develop STEAM engineering skills – Children can develop engineering skills, an important STEAM concept, by attending Block Party, for ages 6-12. Block Party is designed to help children test building skills and stretch imaginations. It is at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, at Central Library at 625 Austin Street in downtown Garland. Block Party is free event.. Children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Library provides supplies.
Family Lego® Program develops STEAM skills – Practice engineering skills and make original Lego® creations as a family at Block Party at the Library. Block Party is free and designed to help attendees develop their STEAM engineering skills in a family-friendly environment. Program challenges kids to use building blocks to create unique structures within one hour. Block Party is at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, at Walnut Creek Branch, 3319 Edgewood Drive. Children 6 and under must be accompanied by adult. Library provides supplies. 972-205-2585.
Children make tie tacks for Father’s Day – Ages 15 and younger can make tie tack pins for Father’s Day at South Garland Branch, 4845 Broadway Boulevard. Drop in from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16 and use provided materials. Crafters will color paper discs, which library staff will compress in a button maker, then attach the pin backs. 972-205-3933.
GSO enhances STEAM learning – Preschoolers ages 3-5 can get a taste of STEAM learning this summer as members of the Garland Symphony Orchestra visit Garland library locations. STEAM learning has become a dominant part of curriculums and teaches kids science, technology, engineering, art and math in fun ways. Children will learn about music as an art form as GSO members teach them about different musical instruments and demonstrate how they are played. GSO members will appear at following locations during Preschool Storytime.
Central Library – 625 Austin Street, 972-205-2516 – Monday, June 11, 11 a.m.
North Garland Branch – 3845 North Garland Avenue., 972-205-2804 – Friday, June 29, 11 a.m.
GSO representatives will make appearance at Walnut Creek Branch at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 15.
Storybook Sock Hop – Children 12 and younger are invited to a storybook sock hop at South Garland Branch Thursday, June 28, at 3 p.m. Children attending the dance can dress up as their favorite storybook characters and dance along to a selection of children’s story time songs. South Garland Branch is at 4845 Broadway Boulevard. 972-205-3933.
Special children’s programs – As part of Summer Reading Program, “Libraries Rock,” NMLS presents FREE special programs for children in June.
Raptors of North Texas – Birds of prey are always on patrol. Meet different species and sizes of raptors and learn about their unique adaptations and hunting skills. First-come, first-served with priority given to children.
2:30 p.m., Monday, June 11 – Central Library, 625 Austin St., 972-205-2516
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 13 – South Garland Branch, 4845 Broadway, 972-205-3933
Creature Teacher Show – Join Creature Teacher to learn about animals before meeting them.
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 14 – Walnut Creek Branch, 3319 Edgewood, 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 16 – North Garland Branch, 3845 North Garland, 972-205-2804
Special children’s programs – As part of the Summer Reading Program, “Libraries Rock,” NMLS presents FREE programs for children. First-come, first-served, priority given to children.
BooCoos the Clown – BooCoos the Clown has delighted children for many years with his “Real Clown Skills”— juggling, balloon making, parasol and ball spinning and general buffoonery.
2:30 p.m., Monday, June 18 – Central Library, 625 Austin Street, 972-205-2516
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 20 – South Garland Branch, 4845 Broadway, 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 21 – Walnut Creek Branch, 3319 Edgewood Drive., 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 23 – North Garland Branch, 3845 North Garland, 972-205-2804
Special children’s programs – As part of Summer Reading Program, “Libraries Rock,” NMLS presents FREE special programs for children in June.
Will Parker – Children’s songwriter Will Parker performs upbeat, informative music about different kinds of animals with his guitar and harmonica. First come, first served with children given priority.
2:30 p.m., Monday, June 25 – Central Library, 625 Austin Street, 972-205-2516
Dorayne Breedlove – Creates an adventure by weaving together stories from around the world and sounds from the didgeridoo, djembe drum, and Native American flute.
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 27 – South Garland Branch, 4845 Broadway, 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 28 – Walnut Creek Branch, 3319 Edgewood Drive., 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 30 – North Garland Branch, 3845 North Garland, 972-205-2804
Teens and tweens create comics – Teens and tweens can express creativity and utilize STEAM art skills at a cartooning workshop at Central Library, 625 Austin Street. The workshop, led by graphic novelist Andy Hirsch of the Science Comics and Garfield series, is Friday, June 22, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Hirsch will discuss creation of comics and help participants make cartoons. Workshop open to ages 10-17. Registration begins Friday, June 8. 972-205-2516.
Tweens create Galaxies in Jars – Tweens 10-13 can use STEAM science skills to make their own galaxies in a jar. The program takes place twice a month at various library locations, Thursday afternoons and evenings. Participants will learn about color mixing as they combine paint, cotton balls, water, glitter and stars in Mason jars. The combination of three colors of paint and glitter will produce what appears to be an astronomic galaxy in the jar. Tweens may name their galaxies before they take them home. First is 6:30 p.m. June 14 at South Garland Branch. Second is 6:30 p.m. June 21 at North Garland Branch. South Garland Branch is at 4845 Broadway. North Garland Branch is at 3845 North Garland. 972-205-3933.
Kids paint sunflowers like Van Gogh – Children paint sunflowers like Van Gogh at Art Explorers for ages 6-12. Event is at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Walnut Creek Branch. Children learn about different types of art, then use their new skills to create masterpieces. Registration required and may be completed by phone or in person at Walnut Creek Branch, 3319 Edgewood, beginning Saturday, May 19. Supplies provided by library. 972-205-2585.
*Photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion.
**Event locations are subject to change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov, for latest information.
Library activities for adults – June
Adults learn Yoga – Learn basics of yoga at Central Library, 625 Austin, Thursday, June 21, 6 p.m. Instructor will introduce 12 yoga poses. Bring blanket, towel or yoga mat. Must sign release to participate. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Open to adults ages 18+. 972-205-2501.
Families invited to play board games – Adults and families can drop in to North Garland Branch to play board and card games Tuesday, June 26, 1 to 8:30 p.m. Play classics like dominoes, cribbage, bridge and spades. North Garland Branch is at 3845 North Garland. 972-205-2803.
Adults create decorative boxes – Adults can discover the art of decoupage and make one of a kind keepsake boxes. The workshop is at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 23 at South Garland Branch, 4845 Broadway Boulevard. Participants will use paint, magazine and sheet music clippings and recycled book pages to decorate small boxes. Supplies provided by library. Registration required. Registration begins Saturday, June 9. 972-205-3931. Event open to adults ages 18+.
Revisit the world of Harry Potter – Adult fans of Harry Potter can revisit the world of Hogwarts with a Potter-themed talk by a UTD professor at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30 at Library. Event will feature Professor Theresa Towner, who will discuss the themes, legacy and impact J. K. Rowling’s series has had on literature and pop culture. Event open to adults ages 18+.
Adults learn Origami – Adults learn Japanese art of paper folding at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16 at Walnut Creek Branch, 3319 Edgewood. Workshop begins with instruction in paper folding techniques. Participants will create three pieces of origami: tiny stars, butterflies and wearable samurai helmets. Library provides supplies. Program limited to 15 people ages 18+. Registration required and begins June 2. 972-205-2585.
Library welcomes Texas Gypsies Jazz Band – Enjoy the Texas Gypsies at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 9, at Central Library, 625 Austin Street. Based in DFW, Texas Gypsies are known for unique interpretation of classic jazz, swing, and big band music from the 1920s through the 1940s. They also perform Parisian swing, Gypsy jazz, Bourbon Street jazz, and Western or Texas swing. For this show, the five-piece band will present an hour of 1920s jazz. Registration not required; seating is limited. Doors open 30 minutes before show time. 972-205-2502.
Learn to keep lawn great without breaking the bank – There is an efficient and scientific method for keeping plants healthy despite Texas weather conditions. Learn the dos and don’ts at Keeping Your Landscape Green While Protecting Your Wallet, presented by staff from the city’s Environmental Waste Services at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 19 at South Garland Branch.
Adults make upcycled wind chimes – Upcycle flower pots into wind chimes at one of the Adult Summer Reading Program craft events at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 28 at Central Library.
Participants will use paint to decorate small flower pots before stringing them together with beads. Supplies provided by library. Registration required and begins June 14. 972-205-2501.
Safety tips at Senior Social Hour – Receive tips about staying safe and keeping your home secure from an officer with Garland PD. Tips will be presented at Senior Social Hour— 2 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at Central Library, 625 Austin Street. Officer will present recommendations for general public safety and address crime trends affecting seniors. Event free and open to ages 55+. Registration not required. Doors open 30 minutes before program. 972-205-2502.
Photographs and video may be taken at library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at library’s discretion.
Due to construction, event locations can change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov for latest information.