September Events at the Library

Tweens Go Mad for Science at Garland Libraries

Tweens can embrace their interest in science this month at Tween Scene, a program series from the Nicholson Memorial Library System specially designed for youth ages 10 through 13.

Tween Scene 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.

The September Tween Scene events, titled Mad about Science, offer attendees the chance to participate in several science experiments, such as testing various items to see if they float, making invisible ink, and determining which sides of their bodies are the dominate sides. The first Tween Scene takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 4, at the South Garland Branch Library, with the second occurring at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11, at the North Garland Branch Library.

Kids Explore Art at Garland Library

Do you have creative kids who love to draw, paint, or make crafts? The Nicholson Memorial Library System is offering a new monthly program series for children ages 6 through 12 that could give your children another artistic outlet. The program is called Art Explorers and debuts at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Walnut Creek Branch Library.

Children attending Art Explorers can learn about different types of art, then use what they learn to create their own masterpieces. At the September event, participants may use the art of children’s book authors Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert as inspiration for making their own magazine collage art.

Registration is required to attend each Art Explorer program and is limited to 30 participants. Registration may be completed by phone or in person at the Walnut Creek Branch Library beginning two weeks prior to each event. For more information on this program, please call 972-205-2585.

Library’s Book Discussion Group Reads 1Q84

The Page Turners, the Library’s book discussion group, will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Central Library, 625 Austin St., in Downtown Garland.

The group will discuss 1Q84, by Haruki Murakami. A novel containing two narratives, 1Q84 takes place in Tokyo in 1984. In one narrative, a young woman named Aomame follows a taxi driver’s strange suggestion and ends up in a parallel existence. At the same time, an aspiring writer called Tengo accepts a suspicious ghostwriting project. The pair’s lives converge over the course of one year in this unconventional love story.

Kids Talk Like Pirates at Garland Library’s Books and Beyond

Arrr your kids pirate fans? They can celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Books and Beyond program at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Central Library.

Each Books and Beyond program is designed for children ages 6 through 12 and consists of book discussions and activities related to monthly themes. Children use their imaginations to explore those themes and complete activities, all while socializing with others their age and having fun.

At the September program, attendees can learn about pirate adventure books and participate in several pirate-related activities, such as creating their own Jolly Roger flag, pinning an eye patch on a pirate’s face, making a parrot, and walking the plank. No registration is required to attend this free event. Children must be ages 6 through 12 to attend.

Friends of the Library Group Announces Fall Book Sale

The Friends of the Nicholson Memorial Library System organization announces its Fall Book Sale at the South Garland Branch Library. Shoppers may find great bargains on a wide variety of adult and children’s books, fiction and nonfiction, paperback and hardcover, and reference books, as well as puzzles, videos, DVDs, audio books, computer games and more.

Public Book Sale dates are Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The South Garland Branch Library is located at 4845 Broadway Blvd., at Oates Rd., in Garland. Admission to the Book Sale is free.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, beginning immediately after the 6 p.m. annual membership meeting and lasting until 8:30 p.m., the Book Sale will be open to Friends Members only. Membership forms are available at all Garland library locations during open hours, and at www.nmls.lib.tx.us. To locate the printable form online, click on Library Portal, then Friends of the Library, and finally, click on Membership Form. Those who plan to apply on the day of the annual membership meeting are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for the process.

Wanda King Performs at Senior Social Hour 

The Nicholson Memorial Library System welcomes blues diva Wanda King to Senior Social Hour.  Ms. King appears at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18 at the Central Library, 625 Austin St., in Downtown Garland.

Ms. King is the daughter of blues legend Freddie King. She has opened for Etta James and Johnny Winter and has performed at the House of Blues in both Dallas and Houston. King specializes in hot blues and cool jazz music. For this engagement, she is accompanied by the Latin Jazz Trio and presents both Latin and American jazz standards.

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 will be 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.