Library Information for February‏

Kids Learn the Art of Etching at Garland Library

Children can learn about etching and its place in the art of ancient Greece 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. 6, 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 study the vases of Ancient Greece and use soft-scratch boards to make etchings of their own.

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 two weeks prior to each event. 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 Build Squishy Circuits at Garland Library’s Books and Beyond

Children ages 6 through 12 can explore the principles of electricity at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Books and Beyond program. The event takes place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, 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.

The February program focuses on technology. Attendees will learn about electric currents and use play dough, batteries, and LED lights to make their own squishy circuits. Participants will then conduct experiments with the circuits to make the LEDs light up.

No registration is required to attend this free event. Children must be aged 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.

Garland Libraries Celebrate Jane Austen

Fans of Jane Austen can celebrate the release of the film Pride and Prejudice and Zombies with two Austen-themed events at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Central and South Garland Libraries.

At the first event, held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, University of Dallas Professor Theresa Kenney will speak about Austen, her life, and her works. Kenney’s lecture, Jane Austen: the Influences that Shaped Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, will take place at the Central Library. In addition to teaching classes on Austen’s novels, Kenney is a lecturer for the north Texas chapter of the Jane Austen Society. She is an expert on Jane Austen’s works as well as her life story.

Also on Feb. 6, Austen fans can meet “Zombie Jane Austen” at the South Garland Branch Library from 3 to 5 p.m. Patrons can discuss Austen novels, have their personal copies of her work signed, take photos with the zombie version of the author, and enter a drawing to win a gift card to AMC Theaters at Firewheel.

Both Austen events are free and open to adults ages 18 and older. Attendees with children should note that “Zombie Jane Austen” will be wearing extensive makeup, which might alarm small children. No registration is 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. Call 972-205-2502 for more information.

DixieSwing Band Returns to Senior Social Hour

The Nicholson Memorial Library System welcomes the DixieSwing Band back to Senior Social Hour. The band appears at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Central Library, 625 Austin St., in Downtown Garland.

The DixieSwing Band is composed of eight members—all over the age of 50. The band plays at senior centers, retirement facilities, schools, and private events. As its name implies, the group specializes in New Orleans-style Dixieland music. For this performance, the DixieSwing Band will present an hour of tunes from its extensive song list.

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. 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.

Tweens Make Origami at Garland Libraries

Creative tweens can learn the art of origami at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Tween Scene programs in February.

Tween Scene is a program series designed for youth ages 10 through 13 that 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.

At the February Tween Scene programs, attendees will learn paper folding techniques and make samurai hats, cups, and the golden snitches made famous by the Harry Potter novels. The first Tween Scene takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 4, at the South Garland Branch Library, with the second occurring at 4 p.m. on Feb. 11, 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.