Library Events & Programming

Every Child Ready to Read^©

Every Child Ready to Read^© is a program designed to help parents and caregivers help their children be ready to read. These pre-literacy activities are designed for ages 0 through 5 years and will change every other week. These simple activities encourage a child's ability to learn and form both spoken and written words. Teaching parents and other caregivers how to support the early literacy development of their children is the basis of Every Child Ready to Read^© at the Garland Libraries. 

1 of the 5 Every Child Ready to Read^© Practices will be highlighted during each bi-weekly activity: 
1. Talking: Talking with children helps them learn oral language, one of the most critical early literacy skills. Children learn about language by listening to parents talk and joining in the conversation.
2. Singing: Singing develops language skills. Slows down language so children can hear the different sounds in words. Helps children learn new words and information.
3. Reading: Reading together develops vocabulary and comprehension, nurtures a love for reading, and motivates children to want to learn to read.
4. Writing: Children become aware that printed letters stand for spoken words as they see print used in their daily lives.
5. Playing: Play is one of the best ways for children to learn language and literacy skills. They learn about language through playing as the activities help them put thoughts into words and talk about what they are doing.

Each activity will feature 1 of 4 subjects: 
Reading
Science
Math
Art

Each of the Garland Libraries will provide pre-literacy activities that can be accessed by parents and/or caregivers and their children anytime the libraries are open.  Every location within the Garland Library system will be presenting the same subject and practice for two weeks before moving on to the next subject and practice.

Connect with your Garland Library and like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GarlandLibraryTX.
Storytime videos stay in Facebook for 24 hours.

art hackers / hackers de arte

2:30 p.m., Saturday, December 17
Central Library

Art Hackers will be a two class program in which each class will focus on a different art hack and explain the science or ideology behind why it works. Participants will be presented with one to two art hacks along with the procedure and why it works. Participants will then get to try the art hack(s) out on their own while creating their own piece of art.

Register by calling 972-205-2501.

Noche de Loteria / Loteria Night

6 p.m., Wednesday, December 21
Central Library

¡Disfruta de una noche de diversión y premios mientras jugamos una versión bilingüe del popular juego de Lotería! 
¡Familias de todas edades son bienvenidas! Los jugadores deben ser capaces de leer palabras simples. Gratis para jugar. Se requiere registro. Llame al 972-205-2516 para registrarse. 

Enjoy a night of fun and prizes as we play a bilingual version of the popular Loteria game! Families of all ages welcome! Players must be able to read simple words. Free to play. Registration required. Please call 972-205-2516 to register.

Noon Year's Eve

11:30 a.m., Saturday, December 31
Central Library

Families of young children are invited to ring in the new year with this Noon Year's Eve party. Activities will include a photo booth with props; crafts (party-hat decorations, DIY noise makers, Firework Wands); games ("Red Solo cup" tower building, water bottle bowling); and finally a balloon drop for the countdown at noon.

Questions? Call 972-205-2516

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an initiative from the 1000 Books Foundation that encourages children to read or be read ONE THOUSAND books before beginning Kindergarten.  In as little as 15 minutes a day, families can work toward this goal and help their children to build the skills needed for future school and life success.  Babies, Toddler, and Preschoolers ages 0 to 6 are welcome to participate in this ongoing program.

How it works
Register for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten in person at your local Garland Library, or register online using Beanstack: https://nmls.beanstack.org/reader365
    Already have a Beanstack account?  Just sign in to get started!

Come in and pick up a log, or use one of our printable reading logs below:
    1,000 Books Log 1-100
    1,000 Books Log 101-200
    1,000 Books Log 201-300
    1,000 Books Log 301-400
    1,000 Books Log 401-500
    1,000 Books Log 501-600
    1,000 Books Log 601-700
    1,000 Books Log 701-800
    1,000 Books Log 801-900
    1,000 Books Log 901-1,000

Once your child has completed a log, bring it to the Children’s Desk at any of our libraries to receive a prize and the next reading log. 

Team tabletop

6 p.m., Wednesdays, December 14

Team Tabletop is a monthly program on Wednesday evenings featuring single-session tabletop role playing games (One-Shot TTRPGs). While Dungeons & Dragons is growing in popularity, the complexity of the rule system and the effort needed to plan a session can be a barrier to playing the game. Instead, Team Tabletop will feature games that are light on mechanics and easy to run in one session. Some fun examples of these sorts of game sessions include The Adventure Zone: Fur or Critical Role: Crash Pandas. TTRPGs encourage critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity, and hosting these games at the library will develop a strong sense of community and inclusion.

Register by calling 972-205-2516 or register online.

Central Library
972-205-2516

novel ideas: a teen book club

6:30 p.m., Thursday, December 15

Novel Ideas is Central Library's new teen book club. Meeting once a month, participants will discuss a book they have read individually. Specifically, there is no "assigned" book for each meeting - this club is meant to encourage teens to read what they like and helps others find their next favorite read!.

Central Library
972-205-2501

Nailed It! For The Holidays

3 p.m., Tuesday, December 20

Inspired by Netflix the show Nailed It!, this program allows teens to express their creativity through holiday-themed snacks - the wackier, the better! 

Teens will have a set amount of time to assemble and customize rice crispy trees or snowman cupcakes before the treats are evaluated by the judges!

Central Library
972-205-2501

Teen Advisory Board

Teens ages 13 to 17 can make a difference in their community by joining the Garland Library Teen Advisory Board. Teens will discuss how the library can serve their age group in terms of events, materials, and services. Participants will receive volunteer hours for attending.

6:30 to 8:30 p.m., second Thursday of the month
Central Library
972-205-2516

In addition to helping improve library service to teens, serving on the Advisory Board allows teens to socialize with their peers. Teens who apply for board membership need parental consent and must attend two consecutive meetings and a total of eight meetings per year to officially serve as members.

The Teen Advisory Board meeting dates for 2022:

• November 10
• December 8

Adult Game Night

6:00 p.m., First Thursday of the month, December 1

On the first Thursday of the month,  adult citizens (18+) are invited to gather and play board games, video games, cards or work on puzzles provided by the Library. This is a drop-in event. A staff member will be on hand to set out games/puzzles; arrange seating; field any questions about the games or the library. Refreshments available.

Central Library
972-205-2516

Wool Felted Ornaments

5:00 p.m., Thursday, December 8

In this program we will create unique Wool Felted Ornaments by the process of needle felting. The loose wool is wrapped around the Styrofoam ball and repeatedly poked with a micro barbed needle to stiffen and tighten the wool into a firm shape. This is a great festive craft for all skill levels!

Register by calling 972-205-2803.

North Garland Branch Library
972-205-2803

Adult Book Clubs

Romancing the Book Club
6:30 p.m., Thursday, December 1
South Garland Branch Library

This month's selection is The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

Adults ages 18 and older are invited to join our romance novel book club. No registration is required to attend. Romancing the Book Club meetfs on the first Thursday of the month.

Saturday Mystery Book Club
2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 10
Central Library

This month's selection is Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold by Nancy Atherton

Once a month on the second Saturday, adult (18+) patrons will gather at the Central Library to discuss that month’s mystery or thriller book selection. Light refreshments will be available.

Adult Book Club
6:30 p.m., Thursday, December 15
South Garland Branch Library

This month's selection is reader's choice! Bring your favorite to share with the group.

Adults ages 18 and older are invited to join book club. No registration is required to attend. The Adult Book Club meets on the third Thursday of the month.

English Conversation Class

Meeting once a week, this interactive conversation group for new English speakers and other patrons is geared toward improving every day skills in a casual setting. The program will allow participants to improve their conversational skills in a friendly environment as well as build vocabulary and confidence.

6 p.m., Mondays beginning September 12
Central Library

6:30 p.m., Tuesdays
South Garland Branch Library

For more information please call 972-205-2501.