The Nicholson Memorial Library System has a full schedule of activities for all ages for April. Make plans now to join the fun.
SPRING STORYTIMES – Jan. 10 through April 29 – All Libraries
Baby Bounce & Read (birth-18 months): 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Central Library, 10 a.m. Fridays at North Garland Branch Library, and
10:15 a.m. Fridays at South Garland Branch Library
Toddler Time (18-36 months): 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Central Library and 11 a.m. Fridays at North Garland Branch Library and
11:15 a.m. Fridays at South Garland Branch Library
Preschool Discovery (3-5 years): 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Central Library and 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays at South Garland Branch Library
Family Read & Play: 10:30 a.m. Saturdays at Walnut Creek Branch Library, 10 a.m. Wednesdays at North Garland Branch Library
Cuentos y Cantos: 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at Central Library
Due to planned construction, event locations could change. Visit www.Library.GarlandTX.gov, for the latest information.
Play & Learn – 11 a.m. on Wednesdays, Jan. 11 through April 26 – North Garland Branch Library – 972-205-2804
10 a.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 14 through April 29 – South Garland Branch Library – 972-205-3933
It’s playtime! Families can participate in Play & Learn, a weekly event where families with children ages 0 to 5 can enjoy free playtime.
BOOKWORM BOOK CLUB – 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 18 – South Garland Branch Library
Each book club meeting focuses on a theme. Families are encouraged to read a picture book or an age-appropriate non-fiction book matching the theme and bring it to the meeting to share. Staff will read another book on the theme aloud before book sharing and extension activities begin. Extension activities promote early literacy and may include arts, crafts or other projects. April theme: gardens (flowers, trees, vegetables).
LITTLE ART EXPLORERS – 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 1 – South Garland Branch Library
Little Art Explorers supports early child development by integrating activities that build motor skills, increase vocabulary, improve symbol recognition and encourage emotional awareness. Attendees focus on making art rather than the end product. March theme: sculpture. April theme: Big Art Day mural painting.
FAMILY PLACE PLAYTIME WORKSHOPS – 12:15 p.m., Thursdays, March 23 to April 20 – South Garland Branch Library
During this fun, five-week program, toddlers, 1-3, and their caregivers can enjoy a playtime featuring toys, books and art activities. Families can spend quality time together, make new friends and talk with a local professional that specializes in early childhood development areas like early literacy, speech and language, nutrition, and music and movement. Registration is required. Call 972-205-3934 for details and to register.
TINY TOT PROM – 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 4 – South Garland Branch Library
Toddlers 18 months – three years can attend a specially designed prom just for them. Attendees can dress up, put on their dancing shoes and enjoy dancing, singing, snacks and a corsage craft. Photo opportunities will be plentiful. Registration is not required, but is encouraged. Register by calling 972-205-3934 beginning March 21.
Families
SPRING CARNIVAL – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, April 15 – Walnut Creek Branch Library
Families can celebrate the beginning of spring by attending a carnival featuring face painting, crafts, a cakewalk, and other games. Refreshments, such as popcorn and cotton candy, will be provided. All ages are welcome.
Young Audiences (Ages 6-12)
STEAM Labs – 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15 – North Garland Branch Library
Participants will explore science and engineering concepts while completing hands-on STEAM projects. April project—stomp rockets. Registration required, begins two weeks prior to event dates. Call 972-205-2804 to register.
CALM KITS FOR KIDS – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, April 8 – Walnut Creek Branch Library
Students in grades 3-12 create customized calm kits with items that provide stress relief and stimulate the senses: touch, taste, hearing, sight, and smell. Potential items include feathers, kneadable erasers, lip balm, bracelets and stickers. Supplies provided. Registration is not required.
GARDENING FOR KIDS – 2:30 p.m., Monday, April 10 – Central Library
Children ages 5 to 9 will be introduced to gardening basics and will plant an English Pea plant. Participants may also decorate their pots and will receive a plant journal to chart their progress. Registration is required and begins Monday, March 27. Call 972-205-2517 to register. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. Visit www.Library.GarlandTX.gov, for the latest information.
Teen Audiences (Ages 13-17)
MIDDLE GRADE MAKERS – 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 29 – Walnut Creek Branch Library
Children in grades 4-8 explore STEAM concepts while completing fun, hands-on learning activities. Registration is required and begins two weeks before each event. Call 972-205-2585 to register. April project: kirigami paper craft.
TEEN AFTER HOURS
Teens ages 13 to 17 can hang out at the library after closing. Each Teen After Hours event consists of a group activity, and snacks are provided. Registration is required and begins two weeks prior to each event.
6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 29 – South Garland Branch Library
Teens use common objects like books, balls, strings and dominoes to try to design the best domino run. Call 972-205-3934 to register.
Adult Programs (Ages 18+)
BOOK CLUBS
BOOK CLUB – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20 Anxious People by Fredrik Backman – South Garland Branch Library – 972-205-3931
Library staff and attendees will discuss the selected titles.
BAKE THE BOOK – 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22 – Theme: Middle Eastern baking. Books: Zaitoun by Yasmin Khan or Bazaar by Sabrina Ghayour – South Garland Branch Library – 972-205-3931
Attendees will sign up and select recipes two weeks prior to each event, then make their selection at home and bring it to the meetings. Participants can choose a recipe from the listed books or use a recipe of their own that fits the theme.
ENTERTAINMENT
AFTERNOON BOARD GAMES – 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 – Walnut Creek Branch Library – 972-205-2533
Adults ages 18 and older can socialize and play board games at a new monthly event featuring games such as Scrabble®, chess, backgammon, checkers, cards, and dominoes. Refreshments will be provided and no registration is required.
CRAFTS
PUNNY PLANTERS – 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 8 – South Garland Branch Library
Adults ages 18 and older and teens ages 12 and older can give their planters some extra personality by painting terra cotta pots and using stencils to incorporate punny sayings like “You grow, girl” and “You’re my soil-mate.” All supplies are provided. Registration is required and is limited to 24 individuals. Registration begins Saturday, March 25. Call 972-205-3931 to register.
BOOK BRICKS – 5 p.m. Thursday, April 20 – North Garland Branch Library
Participants will use quick-drying acrylic paint to transform concrete bricks into books to decorate their gardens and flowerbeds. The paint is waterproof, making it ideal for outdoor objects. Printouts of popular book covers will be available for inspiration. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required and limited to 15 participants ages 18 and older. To register, call 972-205-2803 beginning Thursday, April 6.
INSTRUCTIONAL/INFORMATIONAL
ESL CONVERSATION CLASSES – 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 3 through April 25 – South Garland Branch Library – 972-205-3931
Improve English skills. Practice conversation skills, build vocabulary, learn about American culture and meet a diverse group of people.
Every Body Yoga – 2 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 13 through April 28 – South Garland Branch Library – 972-205-3931
Adults can learn the basics of yoga from a professional yoga instructor. Attendees must provide their own blanket, towel, or yoga mat and are encouraged to exercise within limits of their abilities and fitness levels.
NOTE: THE EARTH DAY EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION.
EARTH DAY CONTAINER GARDENING – 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 22 – Central Library – 972-205-2533
Celebrate Earth Day by attending a free container gardening event. Attendees will be given seeds for plants such as okra, then receive a tutorial in container gardening before planting the seeds. This free event is open to gardening enthusiasts of all ages. Registration is not required. Due to planned construction, event locations could change. Visit www.Library.GarlandTX.gov, for the latest information.
Big Art Day (All ages)
People of all ages can become artists for Big Art Day on Saturday, April 1. All libraries are hosting activities to mark this city-wide celebration.
South Garland Branch will host a painting event Saturday, March 25 at 2:30 p.m. for children ages 6+r and teens ages 13-17. Participants will each receive a 3X3 inch canvas, paint and brushes to create works of art, which they will lend to the library for display in a Tiny Art Show from March 28 to April 8. Registration required and limited to 50 participants. Registration begins Saturday, March 11. Call 972-205-3934 to register.
Families may drop in at the Walnut Creek Branch April 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and contribute to a CommUNITY Art display. Participants will trace outlines of their hands then decorate them with markers. One hand tracing can be taken home while the other is included in the display, which celebrates kindness, friendship and unity.
Families may also visit the North Garland Branch Library on April 1 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and paint feathers with watercolors. The painted feathers will be mounted on foam board and included in a sculpture designed to look like wings.
Adults, ages 18 and older, can stop by the Central Library on April 1 from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and paint their own 3X3 inch canvases.