Garland Library Information for June
Tweens Make Slime at Garland Libraries
Tweens ages 10 to 13 can learn a little chemistry and use their STEAM science skills to make slime at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Tween Scene events in June.
Tween Scene is a program series designed for youth ages 10 through 13, which consists of activities related to fun and interesting themes. Participants also receive book recommendations based on each theme. The program takes place twice a month at various library locations on Thursday afternoons and evenings.
Participants at the June events will make their own slime using white glue, water, and a pre-made solution of water and borax. Glitter, shaving cream, and food coloring will be available as slime embellishments. Attendees may also bring their smartphones to record themselves manipulating their slime.
The first Tween Scene takes place at 6:30 p.m. on June 6, at the South Garland Branch Library, with the second occurring at 6:30 p.m. on June 13, at the North Garland Branch Library. Registration is required to attend the June Tween Scene events and is limited to fifteen participants each. Registration begins two weeks prior to each event at the location where the event will be held.
The South Garland Branch Library is located at 4845 Broadway Blvd., at Oates Road. The North Garland Branch Library is located at 3845 N. Garland Ave., at Apollo Road. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s
discretion. For more information or to register, call 972-205-3933 for the South Garland Branch Library, or 972-205-2804 for the North Garland Branch Library.
The Library’s Summer Reading Programs: Summer Fun for Everyone
Did you know the Nicholson Memorial Library System has Summer Reading Programs for readers of all ages? Whether you are a kid, teen, or adult, you can participate in a reading program for your age group. Why should you participate? In addition to the pleasure you receive from reading a good book, you may also earn prizes!
This year’s Summer Reading Program for children and teens is called A Universe of Stories. Children, infants though age 11, and teens, ages 12 through 17, are encouraged to participate. Starting June 1, participants may pick up the first of four activity cards at any Garland library. On this day only, the 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 activity card. The last day to get an activity card is July 20 and the 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. Participation is simple. Beginning June 1, adults ages 18 and older 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. A total of four cards can be completed. The final day to turn in activity cards is July 27. Adults will also have the opportunity to enjoy special events, craft programs, and movies.
Calendars of special events and information on how to participate in any of the reading programs will be available June 1 at all library locations and online at www.library.garlandtx.gov.
For more information about the children’s and teen reading programs, please call 972-205-2516. For information about the adult reading program, call 972-205-2502.
Space Portal Odyssey Capsule Comes to Garland Library
In preparation for this year’s space-themed Summer Reading Program, families and individuals of all ages can take a tour of the Space Portal Odyssey Capsule Saturday, June 1 at the South Garland Branch Library.
The Space Portal Odyssey Capsule stands 12 feet tall and 25 feet wide. The capsule offers engaging and interactive planetary experiences, such as simulated visits to the moon, other planets, and travel beyond the Milky Way Galaxy. Capsule tours will last approximately one hour and can accommodate 40 patrons at a time. Tours will begin at 10:30 a.m., and the last tour will start at 4:30 p.m. Registration is required to participate in a tour and will begin Saturday, May 18. Registration may be completed by phone or in person at the South Garland Branch Library.
Children waiting for tours of the Space Portal Odyssey Capsule may take space-themed photos at a special photo booth or work on space crafts, such as solar system necklaces, DIY telescopes, alien headbands, and straw and balloon rockets.
The South Garland Branch Library is located at 4845 Broadway Blvd., at Oates Road. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information or to register, please call 972-205-3933.
Families Can Enjoy A Free Movie at the Library
Bring a blanket and attend a free movie with your family. The Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Walnut Creek Branch Library is showing WALL-E at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28.
In WALL-E, Earth has been abandoned by mankind. 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 reconnaissensce robot, arrives to find out if Earth can support life again. The movie is rated G.
Doors open 15 minutes prior to the event. Seating is limited. No registration is required, and all ages may attend these events. Refreshments are available while supplies last.
Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion. For more information on Family Movie Time, please call 972-205-2585
Special Programs for Children
As part of the Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Stories,” the Nicholson Memorial Library System presents special programs for children in June. All programs are free.
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 Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd., 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 27
Walnut Creek Branch Library, 3319 Edgewood Drive., 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Friday, June 28
Central Library, 625 Austin St., 972-205-2516
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 29
North Garland Branch Library, 3845 North Garland Ave., 972-205-2804
Some locations have limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. Please visit our website, www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest information. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion.
Special Programs for Children
As part of the Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Stories,” the Nicholson Memorial Library System presents special programs for children in June. All programs are free.
Valerie Oliver: Science of Spin
Watch as professional yo-yo and spin top champion Valerie Oliver demonstrates the art of spinning yo-yos, tops, and diabolos and explains the physics that make spinning possible.
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 19
South Garland Branch Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd., 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 20
Walnut Creek Branch Library, 3319 Edgewood Drive., 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Friday, June 21
Central Library, 625 Austin St., 972-205-2516
2:30 p.m., Saturday, June 22
North Garland Branch Library, 3845 North Garland Ave., 972-205-2804
Some locations have limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. Please visit our website, www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest information. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion.
Special Programs for Children
As part of the Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Stories,” the Nicholson Memorial Library System presents special programs for children in June. All programs are free.
Creature Teacher Animal Show
Join the Creature Teacher to learn fun facts about a wide assortment of animals before meeting the creatures themselves. The Creature Teacher has been educating children for more than 15 years. Many of her animals are rescue animals.
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 12
South Garland Branch Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd., 972-205-3933
2:30 p.m., Friday, June 14
Central Library, 625 Austin St., 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 Library, 3319 Edgewood Drive., 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 Library, 3845 North Garland Ave., 972-205-2804
Some locations have limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. Please visit our website, www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest information. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at
Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion.
Special Programs for Children
As part of the Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Stories,” the Nicholson Memorial Library System presents special programs for children in June. All programs are free.
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 Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd., 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 Library, 3319 Edgewood Drive., 972-205-2585
2:30 p.m., Friday, June 7
Central Library, 625 Austin St., 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 Library, 3845 North Garland Ave., 972-205-2804
Some locations have limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to children. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. Please visit our website, www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest
information. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion.
Garland Symphony Orchestra Enhances STEAM Learning at Garland Library
Preschoolers ages three to five can get a taste of STEAM learning this summer as members of the Garland Symphony Orchestra (GSO) visit three Garland library locations. STEAM learning has become a dominant part of both national and local school district curriculums and teaches kids science, technology, engineering, art, and math in fun and engaging ways.
Children attending these events will learn about music as an art form as GSO members teach them about the different musical instruments that form the orchestra and demonstrate how they are played. Garland Symphony Orchestra members will appear at the following library locations during Preschool Storytime.
Central Library
625 Austin St., 972-205-2516
Monday, July 8, at 11 a.m.
North Garland Branch Library
3845 North Garland Ave., 972-205-2804
Friday, July 26, at 11 a.m.
GSO representatives will make a special appearance at the Walnut Creek Branch Library at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 21.
In addition to this special event, Garland Libraries also host STEAM-related programming for school-aged children and offer STEAM educational technology
for children ages two through twelve. For more information on STEAM education at the library, or this event, please call 972-205-2516.
Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion.
Block Party Program Develops STEAM Engineering Skills
Children can develop their engineering skills, an important STEAM concept, by attending Block Party at the Library, a program from the Nicholson Memorial Library System for children ages 4 through 12.
Block Party at the Library is designed to help children test their building skills and stretch their imaginations while having fun. The program challenges participants to use building blocks to create unique structures within one hour. Block Party at the Library takes place at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, June 11 and June 25 at the Central Library in Downtown Garland.
Block Party at the Library is a free event open to children ages 4 through 12 and their caregivers. Children ages 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult in order to attend. The Library provides all supplies used at this event. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. Please visit our website, www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest information. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion. For more information, call 972-205-2516.
Adults Can Attend Film Discussion at Garland Library
Adults can attend a space-related film discussion led by a professional film critic at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 at the Central Library. The event, Rockets’ Red Glare: Space Race Classics, is part of the Adult Summer Reading Program and was inspired by the reading program’s theme, A Universe of Stories.
Critic Larry Ratliff will use presentation software and movie clips to revisit space-themed films, such as The Right Stuff, October Sky, and Apollo 13. Mr. Ratliff has more than 30 years of experience as a film critic and served as a movie feature writer for the San Antonio Express-News from 1996 to 2009. His previous presentations have included a critique of Casablanca and an overview of Academy Award-winning films.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Nicholson Memorial Library System and is open to adults ages 18 and older. The Central Library is located at 625 Austin St., in Downtown Garland. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. Please visit our website, www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest information. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion.
Adults Design Morse Code Jewelry at Garland Library
Adults can make one of a kind pieces of jewelry inspired by Morse code at one of the Adult Summer Reading Program craft events this June. The jewelry workshop will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at the Walnut Creek Branch Library.
Participants at this event will use round and tube-shaped spacer beads to spell out a word in Morse code and string them on a chain. All supplies will be provided by the library. Registration is required to attend and is limited to fifteen participants. Registration will begin Saturday, June 1. Call 972-205-2587 to register.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Nicholson Memorial Library System and is open to adults ages 18 and older. The Walnut Creek Branch Library is located at 3319 Edgewood Drive, in Garland. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion.
Adults Learn the Basics of Coding at Garland Library
Adults can learn the basics of HTML coding at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at the Central Library.
Participants in the class will set up a free CodeAcademy® account and work through eight HTML lessons. Registration is required to attend and is limited to ten participants. Registration will begin Tuesday, June 4. Call 972-205-2501 to register.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Nicholson Memorial Library System and is open to adults ages 18 and older. The Central Library is located at 625 Austin St., in Downtown Garland. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. Please visit our website, www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest information. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion.
Rose-Mary Rumbley Speaks at Senior Social Hour
Popular speaker Rose-Mary Rumbley returns to the Nicholson Memorial Library’s Senior Social Hour at 2 p.m., on Thursday, June 20, at the Central Library, 625 Austin St., in Downtown Garland.
Rumbley, an author and the former head of Dallas Baptist University’s drama department, is a native of Dallas and has performed with Dallas Summer Musicals and Casa Mañana. She now tours the speaking circuit and enjoys researching every topic she presents. For this event, Rumbley will present “The Soul of America,” stories of turning points in American history based on Jon Meacham’s bestseller of the same name.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Senior Social Hour programs are free and open to anyone 55 years of age and older. No registration is required to attend the event, but seats do fill up quickly. Doors open 30 minutes prior to performance. Due to patron generosity, the library is experiencing a backlog of donated materials. As a result, we are temporarily unable to accept additional donations. Please stay tuned for updates. We apologize for the inconvenience. Due to planned construction, event locations are subject to change. Please visit our website, www.library.garlandtx.gov, for the latest information. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion. Call 972-205-2502 for more information.
Kids Make Model Planets at Garland Library
In celebration of the beginning of the library’s Summer Reading Program, A Universe of Stories, children ages 6 through 12 can construct their own model planets at this month’s Art Explorers event. The event takes place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 1 at the Walnut Creek Branch Library.
Children attending Art Explorers learn about different types of art, then develop their STEAM art skills by creating their own masterpieces. Attendees at the June event will learn about the planets and make large, ten-inch models using folded paper circles and triangles in a variety of colors. Once they are finished with the construction, the children may decorate their planets using markers and crayons.
Registration is required to attend each Art Explorer program and is limited to 24 participants. Registration may be completed by phone or in person at the Walnut Creek Branch Library beginning Saturday, May 18. The Walnut Creek Branch Library is located at 3319 Edgewood Drive, in Garland. All supplies are provided by the library. Please be aware that photographs and video may be taken at Library programs for use in print and/or electronic media at the Library’s discretion. For more information on this program, please call 972-205-2585
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