Library Information for December

Children’s Crafts and Book Character at the Library’s

Christmas on the Square Booth

Children can enjoy making free holiday crafts at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s booth during the City of Garland’s Christmas on the Square event. The festive booth will be open from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 1, in Downtown Garland. Stop by for information about library services and meet Clifford the Big Red Dog from the popular children’s picture book series by Norman Bridwell.

Due to weather conditions, Christmas on the Square events are subject to change and/or cancellation. The Central Library will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 1. 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 about the Library’s booth, call 972-205-2516. For more information about Christmas on the Square visit www.christmasonthesquare.com.

Holiday Films Revisited at Library’s Senior Social Hour

Join in the merriment of the holiday film season as critic Larry Ratliff presents Christmas tales and classic movie clips at Senior Social Hour. Mr. Ratliff appears at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Central Library, 625 Austin St., in Downtown Garland.

A professional film critic since 1983, Ratliff uses presentation software and movie clips to revisit classic holiday films, such as The Polar Express and White Christmas. Mr. Ratliff served as a movie feature writer for the San Antonio Express-News from 1996 to 2009. His previous presentations at Senior Social Hour have included a critique of Casablanca and an overview of Academy Award-winning films.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Senior Social Hour programs are free and open to anyone 55 years of age and older. Donations of gently used books and media for the Friends of the Library book sale are accepted during the program. No registration is required to attend the event, but seats do fill up quickly. Doors open 30 minutes prior to performance. 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.

Youth Can Catch Pokémon and Earn Badges at Garland Libraries

Pokémon has been going strong since this summer, and now kids, tweens, and teens can earn Pokémon gym badges at two Garland Library locations this December.

On Tuesday, Dec. 20, youth ages eighteen and younger may visit the Central Library between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. and participate in a Pokémon-themed scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt will consist of eight activities that will help kids learn about their library. Participants will earn one badge for each activity completed. Scavenger hunt task lists can be picked up at the Children’s Desk.

On Tuesday, Dec. 27, the South Garland Branch Library will host the Pokémon scavenger hunt challenge from 1 to 8 p.m. The rules and amount of activities will be the same as those at the first program. However, the activities and badges earned will be different, so dedicated Pokémon fans are encouraged to attend both events and earn the maximum number of badges.

The Central Library is located at 625 Austin St., in Downtown Garland. 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. For more information, call 972-205-2517.

Families Can Enjoy Free STEAM Movies at the South Garland Branch Library

Families can enjoy free movies that incorporate STEAM concepts at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s South Garland Branch Library this fall.

The next movie, Ice Princess, will be shown at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. In the film, a talented science student pursues a scholarship to Harvard University. To be eligible, she must complete a summer project about the science, the “S” in STEAM, of physics. She decides to study ice skating and the physics involved in the jumps. Soon she is on the ice herself and must decide which of her dreams, physics or skating, she wants to realize.

All films in this series are full-length children’s movies. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the events. Seating is limited. No registration is required, and all ages may attend these events. Free popcorn and water are available while supplies last.

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. For more information on STEAM Movie Time, please call 972-205-3933.

Children to Decorate Gingerbread Houses at Garland Library

Children ages 6 through 12 are invited to decorate their own gingerbread houses at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Build a Sweet House program. The event takes place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Central Library.

Participants at the event can practice the STEAM concept of engineering while constructing “gingerbread” houses out of graham crackers, candies, and frosting. Attendees may take their creations home at the end of the night.

Registration is required to attend this program and is limited to 20 participants. Registration may be completed by phone or in person at the Central Library beginning Nov. 23. The library will provide all the supplies.

The Central Library is located at 625 Austin St., in Downtown 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. For more information on this program or to register, please call 972-205-2516.

Kids Make Cylinder Wall Art at Garland Library

Children can create their own wall art at Art Explorers, a monthly program for children ages 6 through 12 presented by the Nicholson Memorial Library System. The event takes place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Walnut Creek Branch Library.

Children attending Art Explorers learn about different types of art, then use their new skills to create their own masterpieces. At the December event, participants will roll up scraps of colorful recycled paper, then dip the paper in glue and attach it to a piece of cardboard. The paper rolls will be of various widths and heights, which will create unique designs that rise and fall like waves. The art can be hung on the wall once the glue has dried.

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 Nov. 19. 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.

Adults Invited to Color at Garland Library

Adult coloring is one of the most popular trends today. In addition to being a great way to relax and de-stress, it’s just plain fun. Drop in to the library’s next adult coloring program at the South Garland Branch Library on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m., and try it for yourself. The library provides all the supplies; you provide the creativity.

This event is open to adults ages 18 and older. Children may attend if accompanied by an adult. The South Garland Branch Library is located at 4845 Broadway Blvd., near Oates Rd. 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 972-205-3931.