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.

Little art explorers: Ice paint

4 p.m., Saturday, July 2
South Garland Branch Library

Little Art Explorers is designed for children ages 5 years and under. Each month, participants will have different art activity that will strengthen early childhood development skills. The activity will have a focus on "process art," which celebrates the experience and discovery of how art is made with their physical abilities and the materials being used. Each final product will be unique and individual to the artist.

For the month of July, child participants will have a multi-sensory experience while painting with watercolor ice paint. At the beginning of the program we will sing a couple of songs and read a story that ties into the art activities. The watercolor paint cubes will be made ahead of time by adding food coloring to water and will be frozen in ice cube trays. Children will do multiple activities with the paint cubes, and will make their own watercolor painting to take home.

Families are encouraged to be dressed in mess and paint friendly clothing. Call 972-205-3933 with any questions.

Under the sea party

2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 16
Walnut Creek Branch Library

Let's explore the ocean! Come enjoy ocean themed books, games, and activities. Activities will be set up as individual stations. Families will be allowed to explore the stations at their own pace. Questions? Call 972-205-2585.

Steam Programs

Steam Lab
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 20
Central Library
Children Ages 6-12

Monthly STEAM labs consist of a drop-in type class where families can come and explore a few STEAM-related activities, all revolving around a central theme. June's theme is summer. Instructions for the activities will be available in Spanish and English. A Spanish and English speaker staff member will be on hand to assist patrons with the activities. No registration is required.

Summer STEAM Club: Lighthouse Circuits
2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 30
South Garland Branch Library

Children, ages 6-12, will learn the history of lighthouses and how circuits are created and used. They will then construct their very own 3D lighthouse, complete with a base for stability, from recycled materials such as paper towel tubes or thin cardboard and tape. Before they complete the construction they will use copper tape, a LED light bulb, and a battery to create a paper circuit that will turn on the lighthouse's light. The end result will be functioning miniature lighthouse. Children will also learn how they can communicate through flashing a light using Morse Code, and will be given a Morse Code alphabet to take home. 

This event is full, and registration has closed. Join the waitlist.

Steam Club: Mini Boat Regatta
2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Thursday, July 14
South Garland Branch Library

Participants will briefly learn the science behind how boats work before constructing their own sail boat by creating an origami boat and constructing a mast and sail from other materials like straws, dowels, and tissue paper. The children will be encouraged to consider aspects as how they could make their boat the fastest and glide through the water well. All participants will race their boats across bins of water (prefilled) by blowing wind into their boat's sail with a large milkshake straw. There will be a tournament tableau sheet to keep track of those who advance to the next race.  

Registration  is required and begins two weeks before the program date.

Steam Club: Wax Resist Watercolor Painting
2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Thursday, July 28
South Garland Branch Library

Participants will briefly learn the science behind how wax resist watercolor paint works (water clings to paper and wax repels water) drawing their own design with a white crayon/pastel crayon before using watercolor paint to complete their artwork. 

Registration is required and begins two weeks before the program date.

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. 

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:
July 14
August 11

Tween & Teen Movie Night: JAWS

Join us for tween and teen movie night at 5:30 on Thursday, July 7! The library will show the horror classic Jaws (rated PG). Participate in our Bad Hat Content! Ugliest hat wings a shark plushie. Light snacks and water will be provided.

5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 7
Central Library

Teen After Hours

Hey Teens!  Have you ever wanted to go to the library after it’s CLOSED?  Well, now you can!  If you are between the ages of 13 – 17, join us for fun activities and snacks in our all new Teen After Hours program at the South Garland Branch Library! 

Are You Smarter Than a Librarian?? Librarians know a little something about everything, right... or do they? Bring your friends and work as a team to see if you know more than your local Librarians! 

During this ocean-themed night, teens, grouped into teams, will compete against a team of librarians by answering trivia questions and solving puzzles. A scoring process will be used to determine if a team of teens is in fact smarter than a team of librarians. 

Registration is required and begins two weeks before the program date.  A phone number of the parent/guardian and attendee must be provided at the time of registration.  Attendees will be checked in at the door, and must be picked up promptly at 8pm. Doors will remain locked for the duration of the program. Snacks will be provided. Call 972-205-3933 with any questions.

6:30 p.m., Saturday, July 16
South Garland Branch Library

Middle Grade Makers: water bottle submarines

Students, 4th - 8th grade, will build their own Water Bottle Submarine and explore the science that makes real submarine move.

2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 23
Walnut Creek Branch Library

Registration is required and begins two weeks before the program date. Limited to 20 participants.

Interviewing 101   https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/20438

DIY Friendship Bracelets   https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/20346

College and Financial Aid 101    https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/19174

Adulting 101: Digital Citizenship and Online Safety    https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/17829

Teen Self-Portraits   https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/18320

Adulting 101: Resumes and Applications  https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/18316

Art 101  https://my.nicheacademy.com/nmls/course/18285

Sea Glass Tree sunlight catcher: the science of sea glass

In this program patrons are invited to use sea glass beads and jewelry wire to create their own unique sea glass tree that is a sunlight catcher. We will wrap the wire around the metal ring to form the tree and thread sea glass beads onto the wire to create the foliage of the tree. Once done the tree can be hung in a window as a beautiful sun catcher decoration. Ages 18 and up.

This program is currently full. Call 972-205-2803 to join the wait list.

5 p.m., Thursday, June 30
North Garland Branch Library
972-205-2803

Pop pop Boats

In this program we will use recycled material to make Pop-Pop Boats! 

Pop-Pop Boats are boiler propelled boats made of simple recycled material, tacky gum, and a tea light. These boats are fun to build and fun to play with. The great thing about these boats is that, as long as you build and install the boiler correctly, you can make the rest of the boat look however you want! 

5 p.m., Thursday, July 14
North Garland Branch Library

Senior Social Hour: Juggler David Slick

Enjoy juggling and magic from Guinness World Record holder David Slick. Slick's routines often include juggling of machetes, knives, eggs, beanbags, rings, and even a real bowling ball. He frequently incorporates comedy, magic, unicycling, card tricks, and balance stunts into his performances.

2 p.m., Thursday, July 21
Central Library

Sea Shell Shadow Boxes

Adults will make an ocean themed shadow box using sea shells. The shadow box will be painted in blues and whites to mimic a beach. We will add some sand at the bottom for more depth and interest. 

2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 23
South Garland Branch Library

Adult Book Clubs

Cook the Book
2 p.m., Saturday, July 2
Central Library

Adults can learn new recipes and share their talents will fellow foodies. Prepare the recipe at home and bring it to be enjoyed in a buffet-style meal at the library on the event date. The selected cookbook will be available at the Reference desk and participants will choose a recipe to prepare.

July's cook book is Katie Chin's Global Family Cookbook.

 Registration is required and begins 2 weeks before the event. Call 972-205-2533.

Romancing the Book Club
6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 7
South Garland Branch Library

This month's selection is Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

Adults can join a new romance book club. The Romance Book Club will meet on the second Tuesday of each month.
Join our E-MAIL LIST for information about upcoming Romancing the Book Club meetings.

Adult Book Club
6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 21
South Garland Branch Library

This month's selection is The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

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
Central Library

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

For more information please call 972-205-2501.

Computer Classes for Beginners

Participation in Library computer classes is free and open to adult Garland residents. Registration is required and begins two weeks before each class.

2 p.m., Wednesday, June 29
Central Library
972-205-2502

June 29 - Intro to Microsoft Word

June 29 - Intro to Microsoft Word is currently full. Join the waitlist.

Participation in Library computer classes is free and open to adult Garland residents. Registration is required and begins 2 weeks before the class. Call 972-205-2501 with any questions.

Free Typing Class

Patrons are invited to hone their typing skills at Central Library! We will make use of an online typing practice program, TypingClub. This will allow participants to practice exercises. We will provide laptops and proper keyboards to connect to the laptops.

6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, June 22, July 6 & 20.
Central Library
972-205-2502

Participation in Library computer classes is free and open to adult Garland residents. No registration is required.

Yoga on the Portico

Adults can learn the basics of yoga from a professional yoga instructor. Attendees must provide their own blanket, towel, or yoga mat and are encouraged to exercise within limits of their ability and fitness levels.

10 a.m., Fridays, June 10 - July 29
Central Library
972-205-2501