The Nicholson Memorial Library System has a long list of activities in March for both children and adults. Be sure to check them out!
Bad Art Night – Adults 18+ can participate in Bad Art Night event where attendees can create art without trying to make something perfect. Event is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26 at Central Library. Artists will be provided with materials like paint, markers, cardboard, recycled magazines and paper. They can view each other’s art and vote for “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” Winners get small prize. No registration required. 972-205-2501.
Adult Book Club – Adults 18+ can attend book club at the South Garland Branch at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19. Book discussion on Lilac Girls by Martha Kelly. Registration not required
Adults Cook the Book – Adults 18+ learn new recipes and share at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 at the South Garland Branch. To register, Cook the Book 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. Selected cookbook will be available at Reference Desk at South Garland Branch beginning Feb. 18. 972-205-3931.
Adults learn paint pouring technique – Ages 18+ learn about paint pouring and use the technique to create unique vases at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at the South Garland Branch. Each workshop features a unique project. Supplies provided by library. Registration is required, limited to 24 participants and begins Saturday, Feb. 29. 972-205-3931. Vases will need time to dry and can be picked up Tuesday, March 17.
Adults develop homesteading skills – Adults and teens interested in sustainability, homesteading, and self-sufficiency can develop unique skills at the NMLS How We Used To nostalgic workshop at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at Central Library. Participants will develop three skills – how to tie different knots that can be used to secure items to vehicles or for use in rescue situations, basic sewing techniques and practice skills by making coasters and how to plant vegetable and herb seeds indoors by creating miniature greenhouses and compostable planters. Supplies provided by library. Registration required and limited to 20 participants ages 13+. Registration begins Saturday, March 7. 972-205-2501.
Friday the 13th trivia – Adults and teens 12+ can test their knowledge by attending a Friday the 13th trivia event co-hosted by library and Rosalind Coffee Friday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. Participants can sign up in teams of up to four at Central Library beginning Friday, Feb. 28. Teams may also register event night at Rosalind Coffee. Team with most correct answers wins. Members of winning team receive prize. Rosalind Coffee is at 107 N. Sixth St., in Downtown Garland. 972-205-2501.
Kids make Seuss-inspired illustrations – Ages 6-12 can discover the art of Dr. Seuss and make Seuss-inspired drawings at Art Explorers at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at the Walnut Creek Branch. Children learn about different types of art, then develop their STEAM art skills by creating their own masterpieces. Registration required and limited to 24. Register by phone or at the Walnut Creek Branch beginning Saturday, Feb. 22. 972-205-2585.
Book Madness – Families can participate in Book Madness, the library’s version of March Madness, at the Central Library throughout March. Participants will begin voting for their favorite popular books in four categories: Easy Picture Books, Easy Readers, Juvenile Chapter Books and Young Adult Books. Voting options will be displayed in bracket form, with the options decreasing each week. During the last week of March, participants will vote on the “Final Four.” Voting may be completed online or at Central Library Monday-Thursday. New ballots will be available each Monday until March 30, when the overall winner will be revealed. 972-205-2516.
Kids participate in Minecraft activities – Ages 6-12 can enjoy activities inspired by the game at Books and Beyond at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Central Library. Books and Beyond consists of book discussions and activities related to monthly themes. Participants will enjoy Minecraft-based activities including designing a scene or character using colored sticky notes, building a character out of cardboard boxes, creating Creeper magnets, playing Creeper bean bag toss game. 972-205-2516.
Garland police officer teaches preschoolers – Preschoolers ages 3-5 can learn about community helpers and meet a Garland police officer at the North Garland Branch Preschool Storytime—Friday, March 13 at 11 a.m. Children will learn about what police officers do and how they help people in the community. The officer will read a book to the kids then give them a tour of a patrol car. Children will also make police caps. 972-205-2804.
Little Art Explorers make Picasso-inspired portraits – Children up to 5 can participate in an art series at the South Garland Library’s Little Art Explorers event at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 20. 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. Children will learn about artist Pablo Picasso and construct their own portraits using his style. 972-205-3933.
Free movie – Attend a free movie at North Garland Branch – Detective Pikachu at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11. Ace detective Harry Goodman goes missing. To find him, Goodman’s son Tim must team up with Harry’s former Pokémon partner Detective Pikachu. Rated PG. Attendees may also make Pikachu hats to wear. Doors open 15 minutes early. Seating is limited. Registration not required, open to all ages. Refreshments available while supplies last. 972-205-2804.
Tribute artist Sherrill Douglas performs – Senior Social Hour – Seniors can enjoy classic country and rock and roll hits at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 19 at the Central Library. Douglas is known as the “Voice of Many Faces” and performs tributes to Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Stevie Nicks and Patsy Cline. She has performed in Las Vegas and New York and was featured on both Good Morning Texas and Good Morning Tulsa. Senior Social Hour programs are free and open to anyone 55+. No registration is required but seats fill up quickly. Doors open 30 minutes early. Donations of gently-used books and media for Friends of the Library book sale will be accepted. 972-205-2502.
Sensory-friendly story time – Families with children 12 and younger with special needs are invited to attend sensory-friendly story times at the South Garland Branch. The next story time will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Storytime gives children the freedom to move, sing, and play within a structured program. Story times are interactive and feature a visual schedule, carpet squares, fidget toys and noise-reduction headphones. Events focus on built-in playtime with movement activities, such as bubbles, sensory bins, and balance beams, as well as craft time to promote exploration and socialization. Caregivers are asked to stay with their children. 972-205-3933.
Free movie – South Garland Branch is showing Toy Story 4 at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 12. Woody, Buzz and the gang go on a road trip with a new toy named Forky. The trip turns into an unexpected reunion when they meet their old friend Bo Peep. The gang reminisces and discovers that each of them have unique hopes and dreams. Rated G. Doors open 15 minutes before event. Seating limited. No registration required. Open to all ages. Refreshments available while supplies last. 972-205-3933.
Teens form advisory board – Ages 13-17 can make a difference in their community by joining the Teen Advisory Board. The next meeting is 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 11 at Central Library. Teens will discuss how the library can serve their age group in terms of events, materials and services. Participants will receive volunteer hours for attending, Games are played at the board meetings and refreshments are provided. 972-205-2516.
Teen trivia night – Teens can discover the fun of trivia night at Book Madness, a trivia tournament at the Central Library Tuesday, March 10, 6 to 8 p.m. Participants can sign up in teams of up to four beginning Tuesday, Feb. 25. Each team member must be 13-17. Trivia questions will cover book-related topics like picture books, chapter books, young adult books, movies based on books and more. Each team will write answers on a tally sheet. The team with the most correct answers at end will win and each member will receive a prize.
Tweens compete to make longest paper chain – Ages 10-13 use STEAM skills by joining Great Paper Chain Race. Tween Scene consists of activities related to interesting themes. In March, participants will work individually or in teams to see who can create the longest chain. Those with the longest chains will win. First event is at 6:30 p.m. March 5, at South Garland Branch. Second is at 6:30 p.m. March 12, at North Garland Branch.972-205-3933-South Garland, 972-205-2804-North Garland.
Free movie – Free movie at Walnut Creek Branch at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 10. The Secret Life of Pets 2 relates further adventures of Max the terrier and his fellow pets while their owners are away from home. Max’s owner Kate has gotten married and had a child. Max is having a hard time with the change. On a trip to the country he meets a farm dog who helps him deal with his fears. PG. Doors open 15 minutes early. Seating limited. Registration not required, open to all ages. 972-205-2585.
Central Library, 625 Austin Street in downtown Garland
South Garland Branch Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd. at Oates Road
North Garland Branch Library, 3845 North Garland Avenue at Apollo Road
Walnut Creek Branch Library, 3319 Edgewood Drive
Be aware that photographs and video may be taken at library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the discretion of NMLS.
Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. Visit www.Library.GarlandTX.gov, for up-to-date information or call 972-205-2516.