The Nicholson Memorial Library System announced its scheduled activities for June and there’s something for every age group.
Adults Cook the Book – Adults can learn new recipes and share their talents with fellow foodies. Event is at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at the Central Library. Participants will choose a recipe from a pre-selected cookbook then prepare the recipe and bring it to be enjoyed in a buffet-style meal at the library. The selected cookbook is available at the Reference Desk at the Central Library. The cookbook for June is 7 Ways: Easy Ideas for Every Day of the Week by Jamie Oliver. Event is open to adults and teens 13+.
Adults make Amigurumi creatures – As part of the Adult Summer Reading program, Oceans of Possibilities, crafters can make octopus or jellyfish amigurumi at the South Garland Branch next adult craft workshop Saturday, June 25, at 2:30 p.m. Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals. Supplies provided by library. Registration required and limited to 24 participants. Registration begins Saturday, June 11. Call 972-205-3931. Event is for adults 18+.
Adult paint night – Adults 18+ can attend a 90-minute watercolor lesson. Event is Friday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library. Attendees will receive instruction from watercolor artist Kay Byfield of the Creative Arts Center of Dallas. Supplies and refreshments provided. Registration is required and limited to 15. To register, call 972-205-2501 beginning Friday, June 10.
STEAM labs – Children 6-12 and their families can participate in monthly STEAM Labs at Garland’s Central Library. The next lab is Wednesday, June 22, at 2:30 p.m.
Little Art Explorers make ocean-themed collages – Children 0-5 can participate in an art series designed for their age group at the South Garland Branch Library’s Little Art Explorers event. Little Art Explorers supports early child development by integrating activities that build motor skills, increase vocabulary, improve symbol recognition and encourage emotional awareness.
Middle graders build Viking ships – Children in grades 4-8 explore STEAM concepts while completing fun, hands-on learning activities at the monthly Middle Grade Maker events at the Walnut Creek Branch. Event is Saturday, June 25, at 2:30 p.m. Participants will learn about Viking history and shipbuilding before constructing miniature Viking ships and racing them. Registration is required and begins Saturday, June 11. Call 972-205-2585 to register.
Adults craft sea glass suncatchers – Adults make sunlight catchers out of sea glass at the North Garland Branch Thursday, June 30, at 5 p.m. Registration required and limited to 15. To register, call North Garland Branch at 972-205-2803 beginning Thursday, June 16.
Create and connect sand art – Tweens and teens can participate in the North Garland Branch Library’s Create and Connect event Tuesday, June 21, at 2:30 p.m. Participants can make a personalized piece of sand art featuring their name or favorite saying using colored sand, stickers and glue. Registration is required. To register, call 972-205-2804 beginning Tuesday, June 7.
Families sidewalk obstacle course – Families can complete a sidewalk chalk obstacle course at the North Garland Branch. This fun activity will be available from June 4 to Aug. 31 under the library’s covered portico. Participants who complete the course may visit the Children’s Desk for a small prize.
Monthly STEAM lab – North Garland Branch hosts STEAM Labs for families in June and July. Each consists of a STEAM-based project that integrates science and engineering concepts. The next lab is Saturday, June 18, at 11 a.m. Participants explore what’s inside a computer. Registration required and limited to 20 families. To register, call 972-205-2804.
Romancing the book club – Adults ages 18+ are invited to join a new romance book club at the South Garland Branch. The next meeting of the book club will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 2. Library staff and attendees will discuss Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper. Registration not required.
Library hosts early literacy event – Children 2-6 can participate in an early literacy event at the Hollabaugh Recreation Pavilion Saturday, June 18, at 10:30 a.m. Event will be a Sand & Sea Sensory Program. Hollabaugh Rec Center Pavilion is at 3925 W. Walnut St.
Pianist Scott Willis performs – Enjoy tunes played by pianist Scott Willis at Senior Social Hour at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at the Central Library. His repertoire includes songs from Billy Joel, The Who and Elton John. Senior Social Hour programs are free and open to anyone 55+. No registration required. Donations of gently-used books and media will be accepted.
Special programs for children
Creature Teacher Animal Show – Join Captain Emily as she sets sail across the sea and encounters a variety of amazing creatures.
2:30 p.m., Monday, June 13 – Central Library, 625 Austin St., 972-205-2516
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 16 – Walnut Creek Branch Library, 3319 Edgewood Drive., 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 18 – North Garland Branch Library, 3845 N. Garland Ave., 972-205-2804
Window to the Wild – Meet majestic birds of prey at this fun, educational event!
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 15 – South Garland Branch, 4845 Broadway Blvd., 972-205-3933
Some locations have limited seating first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children.
Special programs for children
Sandy Shrout Puppet Shows – Sandy Shrout specializes in fairy tale puppet shows with a Texas twist. Children will learn “How the Dragon Got Its Fire.”
2:30 p.m., Monday, June 20 – Central Library, 625 Austin St., 972-205-2516
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 22 – South Garland Branch, 4845 Broadway Blvd., 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 23 – Walnut Creek Branch, 3319 Edgewood Drive., 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 25 – North Garland Branch Library, 3845 N. Garland Ave., 972-205-2804
Some locations have limited seating first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children.
Special programs for children
James Wand Magic – Help solve clues, crack codes and perform magic this top secret adventure.
2:30 p.m., Monday, June 27 – Central Library, 625 Austin St., 972-205-2516
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 30 – Walnut Creek Branch Library, 3319 Edgewood Drive., 972-205-2585
All About Animals – Learn how to be a water conservation warrior and meet animals that know how to conserve water, animals that cannot survive without water and animals living with an abundance of fresh water every day.
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 29 – South Garland Branch, 4845 Broadway Blvd., 972-205-3933
Juggler David Slick – David Slick displays amazing feats of juggling while performing humorous routines that delight audiences.
2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 2 – North Garland Branch Library, 3845 N. Garland Ave., 972-205-2804
STEAM workshops – Children 6-12 can continue developing their STEAM skills at the South Garland Branch. Series features a different STEAM event every other Thursday, June 16, to July 28 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Registration required.
June 16 Optical Illusion Drawings
Learn the science behind optical illusions, then follow step-by-step instructions to create drawings.
June 30 Lighthouse Circuits
Explore the history of lighthouses and learn about circuitry before constructing your own 3D lighthouse out of recycled materials. Use an LED bulb, copper tape and a battery to make it light up. Learn about Morse Code too!
July 14 Mini Boat Regatta
Discover the scientific principles of buoyancy by building an origami boat complete with mast and sail. Then compete in a tournament to see whose boat is the fastest.
July 28 Wax-Resist Watercolor Paintings
Find out how wax-resist watercolor paint works by drawing your own design with a white crayon, then completing your artwork with watercolor paint.
ESL conversation classes – NMLS will resume weekly ESL conversation classes at the Central Library and the South Garland Branch beginning the week of June 6. The class will meet once a week at the Central Library Mondays from June 6 to July 25 at 6 p.m. and at the South Garland Branch Library Tuesdays from June 7 to July 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Summer reading programs – This year’s Summer Reading Program is called Oceans of Possibilities. Children, infants though age 11; teens 12-17; and adults, ages 18+, are encouraged to participate. Starting June 11, participants may pick up an activity card at any Garland library. Information on how to participate in reading programs will be available June 11 at all library locations and online at www.Library.GarlandTX.gov. For information, call 972-205-2516 or 972-205-2502.
Summer Storytimes for Children begin June 13 – Summer Storytimes for children and families begin June 13 and run through July 30.
Central Library – 625 Austin St., 972-205-2516
Baby Storytime (birth to 18 mos.) Tuesdays, 9:15 a.m.
Toddler Storytime (18-36 mos.) Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m.
Spanish Family Storytime (all ages.) Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.*
Preschool Storytime (3-5 yrs.) Thursdays, 9:15 a.m.
Spanish Preschool Storytime (3-5 yrs.) Thursdays, 10:15 a.m.*
*Begins the week of June 20.
North Garland Branch – 3845 North Garland Ave., 972-205-2804
Family Storytime (all ages) Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Baby Storytime (birth to 18 mos.) Fridays, 10 a.m.
Toddler Storytime (18-36 mos.) Fridays, 11 a.m.
South Garland Branch – 4845 Broadway Blvd., 972-205-3934
Zoom into Kindergarten (3-5 yrs.) Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m.
Baby Storytime (birth to 18 mos.) Fridays, 10:15 a.m.
Literacy in Motion (18-36 mos.) Fridays, 11:15 a.m.
Walnut Creek Branch – 3319 Edgewood Drive, 972-205-2585
Family Storytime Tuesdays, 6:15 p.m.
Teens Advisory Board – Teens 13-17 can make a difference in their community by joining the Teen Advisory Board at Garland Libraries. The next meeting is 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at the Central Library.
Teens to create stop motion video – Teens 13-17 collaborate on an animated stop motion film Saturday, June 18, at 2:30 p.m. at South Garland Branch. Registration is required. Call 972-205-3933.
Adults learn Yoga – Adults can learn the basics of yoga at the Central Library Fridays, from June 10 to July 29 at 10 a.m. An instructor will introduce participants to basic yoga poses. Attendees will need to provide blanket, towel or yoga mat. If you’re unsure if this program is right for you, consult your physicians before participating.
Book club – Adults ages 18+ are invited to join the book club at the South Garland Branch. The next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 16. Attendees will discuss The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. Registration not required.