Library Information for February

Kids Make Moving Line Drawings at Garland Library

Children can practice their STEAM art skills by making moving line drawings 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, Feb. 4, 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 February event, participants will make an abstract illustration using crayons and markers, before cutting their drawings into strips and gluing them to construction paper. This will create a wave effect and give the illusion that the drawings are moving.

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, Jan. 21. 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.

Kids Make Birdhouses and Feeders at Garland Library’s Books and Beyond

To celebrate National Bird Feeding Month, children ages 6 through 12 are invited to make bird feeders and bird houses at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Books and Beyond program. The event takes place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Central Library.

Books and Beyond consists of book discussions and activities related to monthly themes. Each theme incorporates concepts from STEAM learning: science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Children use their imaginations to explore the themes and complete the activities, all while socializing with others their age and having fun.

At the February program, participants will use seed butter, gelatin, cookie cutters, and toilet paper rolls to make two kinds of bird feeders. Each participant will also get to show off their STEAM art skills by painting a birdhouse to take home.

No registration is required to attend this free event. Children must be ages 6 through 12 to attend. 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, please call 972-205-2516.

Teens and Teens Make Emoji Crafts at Garland Library

Smiley face. Wink. Thumbs up. Emojis have migrated from your cell phone out into the physical world. There are emoji socks, purses, key chains, candy and more, and now Garland teens and teens can make their own emoji products for free at the library.

Teens and teens ages 10 to 17 may visit the Central Library on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. and exercise their STEAM art skills by making an emoji mask, bookmark, magnet, or pillow to take home. All supplies will be provided by the library.

The emoji craft program is a free event open to youth ages 10 through 17. Registration is not required. 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. The Central Library is located at 625 Austin St., in Downtown Garland. For more information, call 972-205-2517.

Class Act Tap Company Featured at Senior Social Hour

In celebration of Mardi Gras, The Class Act Tap dancers will tap their way into the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Senior Social Hour on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. Senior Social Hour takes place at the Central Library, 625 Austin Street, in Downtown Garland.

The dancers are part of The Class Act Tap Company, a service organization of 40 women, each over the age of 50. The company members serve North Texas as volunteers by providing tap dancing shows free of charge. The dancers have performed at conventions, civic and charity events, corporate and military functions, and are well known on the Dallas senior entertainment circuit. Their tap routines are set to a variety of musical styles including patriotic, Broadway, and western music.

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 at 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.

Teens Invited to Duct Tape Makerspace at Garland Libraries

Teens ages 10 to 13 can participate in a makerspace lab and make their own duct tape creations at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Tween Scene events in February.

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.

Attendees at the February Tween Scene events will discover craft books and then choose a duct tape project to make. Project options will include a school supply bag for pens and pencils, a wallet, a key chain, and a tablet case. The first Tween Scene takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 2, at the South Garland Branch Library, with the second occurring at 4 p.m. on Feb. 9, at the North Garland Branch Library.

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, call 972-205-3933.