The Nicholson Memorial Library System has announced the following events and activities for June.
Adults learn basics coding – Adults 18+ learn basics of HTML coding at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 at Central Library. Participants will set up a free CodeAcademy® account and work through eight HTML lessons. Registration required, limited to 10. Registration begins Tuesday, June 4. Call 972-205-2501. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Due to construction, locations may change. www.library.garlandtx.gov.
Adults design Morse Code jewelry – Adults 18+ can make jewelry inspired by Morse code at Adult Summer Reading Program craft events at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15 at Walnut Creek Branch. Participants will use spacer beads to spell out a word in Morse code and string on a chain. Supplies provided by library. Registration required and limited to 15. Registration begins Saturday, June 1. 972-205-2587.
Adults attend film discussion – Adults 18+ can attend a space-related film discussion at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22 at Central Library. Rockets’ Red Glare: Space Race Classics is part of the Adult Summer Reading Program and was inspired by the program’s theme, A Universe of Stories. Critic Larry Ratliff will revisit space-themed films, such as The Right Stuff, October Sky and Apollo 13. Ratliff has more than 30 years of experience as a film critic and served as movie feature writer for San Antonio Express-News from 1996 to 2009. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov.
Block Party program develops STEAM skills – Children, 4-12, develop engineering skills by attending Block Party, a FREE program that challenges them to use blocks to create structures. Event at 3 p.m. Tuesdays, June 11 and June 25 at Central Library. Children 6 and under must be with adult. Library provides supplies. Locations could change. www.library.garlandtx.gov.
Garland Symphony Orchestra enhances STEAM learning – Preschoolers get a taste of STEAM learning as members of GSO visit three Garland locations. Children will learn about music as an art form as GSO members teach them about musical instruments that form the orchestra and demonstrate how they are played. GSO members will appear at the following library locations during Preschool Storytime. GSO representatives will be at Walnut Creek Branch at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 21. Libraries also host STEAM-related programming for other ages. 972-205-2516.
Rose-Mary Rumbley Senior Social Hour – Popular speaker Rose-Mary Rumbley returns to Senior Social Hour at 2 p.m., on Thursday, June 20, at Central Library. Rumbley, an author and former head of DBU’s drama department, is a native of Dallas and has performed with Dallas Summer Musicals and Casa Mañana. She now tours the speaking circuit. Rumbley will present “The Soul of America,” stories of turning points in American history based on Jon Meacham’s bestseller. Program is free and open to anyone 55+. Registration not required. Seats fill up quickly. Doors open 30 minutes before performance. Due to construction, locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov. 972-205-2502.
Special Programs for Children – As part of the Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Stories,” the NMLS presents FREE programs for children.
Brett Roberts’ Space Magic – Brett Roberts presents an interactive magic show featuring alien puppets, a space race, and a flag routine that teaches kids about the American flag the astronauts placed on the moon. Brett will teach the kids the difference between science fiction and real science too!
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 5 – South Garland Branch, 972-205-3933
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History – Learn all about space from staff of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History as they bring their mobile planetarium experience to the library.
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 6 – Walnut Creek Branch, 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Friday, June 7 – Central Library, 972-205-2516
Storyteller Jiaan Powers – Listen to Jiaan Powers’ Tales of Wonder: Universal Stories. Jiaan practices the ancient art of storytelling, catching and holding the attention of children and adults alike.
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 8 – North Garland Branch, 972-205-2804
Limited seating. First-come, first-served basis with priority given to children. Locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov for information.
Creature Teacher animal show – Join the Creature Teacher to learn fun facts about animals before meeting the creatures themselves. Creature Teacher has been educating children for more than 15 years.
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 12 – South Garland Branch, 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Friday, June 14 – Central Library, 972-205-2516
All about animals: Animal Travelers – Go on a mission to discover a world of animals that climb, jump, slither, and crawl. Then meet an animal that helped send rockets into space.
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 13 – Walnut Creek Branch, 972-205-2585
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.
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 15 – North Garland Branch, 972-205-2804
Seating on first-come, first-served basis. Priority given to children. Due to construction, event locations could change. www.library.garlandtx.gov.
Valerie Oliver: Science of Spin – Watch professional yo-yo and spin top champion Valerie Oliver demonstrate art of spinning yo-yos, tops and diabolos and explains physics that make spinning possible.
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 19 – South Garland Branch, 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 20 – Walnut Creek Branch, 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Friday, June 21 – Central Library, 972-205-2516
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 22 – North Garland Branch, 972-205-2804
Some locations have limited seating. Based on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children. Due to construction, event locations could change. Visit www.library.garlandtx.gov for information.
Mad Science: Moon Odyssey – Become a Mad Science Astronaut and discover the principles of space and space travel, courtesy of Mad Science and NASA.
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 26 – South Garland Branch, 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 27 – Walnut Creek Branch, 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Friday, June 28 – Central Library, 972-205-2516
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 29 – North Garland Branch, 972-205-2804
Some locations have limited seating. Based on first-come, first-served basis. Priority given to children. Due to construction, event locations could change. www.library.garlandtx.gov.
Families enjoy free movie – Bring a blanket and attend a free. Walnut Creek Branch is showing WALL-E at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 28. In WALL-E, Earth has been abandoned. WALL-E the robot cleans up the planet by collecting trash. WALL-E enjoys listening to music and finding trinkets but is lonely until EVE, a robot, arrives to find out if Earth can support life again. Rated G. Doors open 15 minutes before event. Seating is limited. Registration not required. All ages may attend. Refreshments available. 972-205-2585.
Space Portal Odyssey Capsule at library – In preparation for space-themed Summer Reading Program, families and individuals can take a tour of Space Portal Odyssey Capsule Saturday, June 1 at South Garland Branch. The capsule is 12’ tall and 25’ wide with interactive planetary experiences such as simulated visits to the moon and other planets. Tours begin at 10:30 a.m. Last tour is at 4:30 p.m. Registration required, begins May 18 by phone or in person at South Garland Branch. Children waiting for tours may take space-themed photos at special photo booth or work on space crafts. 972-205-3933.
Summer Reading Programs – This year’s program for children and teens is A Universe of Stories. Open to children infant-11 and teens 12-17. Starting June 1, participants may pick up first of four activity cards at any Garland library. On this day only, first 200 children and teens to register at each library location receive a special prize. After seven days, participants can exchange their cards for an age-appropriate prize and additional card. Last day to get an activity card is July 20. Final day to collect prizes is July 27.
Adults can join in the summer reading fun too, with the adult version of A Universe of Stories. Beginning June 1, adults ages 18+ may pick up an activity card at any Garland library and start completing reading challenges and other activities. Participants will receive a small prize and be entered into a drawing for prizes for each activity card they complete. Must turn in activity cards by July 27. Adults will also have the opportunity to enjoy special events. Calendars of events and information on how to participate will be available June 1 at all library locations and online at www.library.garlandtx.gov. 972-205-2502.
Tweens make slime – Tweens 10-13 can learn a little chemistry and use STEAM science skills to make slime. Tween Scene for ages 10-13, consists of activities related to interesting themes. Participants also receive book recommendations based on theme. First Tween Scene is at 6:30 p.m. June 6, at South Garland Branch. Second is at 6:30 p.m. June 13, at North Garland Branch. Registration required and limited to 15. Registration begins two weeks before each event at location where event will be held.
Kids make model planets – Children 6-12 can construct model planets at Art Explorers at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at Walnut Creek Branch. Attendees will learn about the planets and make large models using folded paper circles and triangles. Registration required and limited to 24. Register by phone or in person at Walnut Creek Branch beginning Saturday, May 18. Supplies provided by library. 972-205-2585.
Central Library, 625 Austin Street, 972-205-2516
North Garland Branch Library, 3845 North Garland Avenue, 972-205-2804
South Garland Branch Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd., 972-205-3933
Walnut Creek Branch Library, 3319 Edgewood Drive., 972-205-2585
Photographs and video may be taken at library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at library’s discretion.