Library Events & Programming

Family Zoom Night - Build Your Own Board Game!

Families will get to create a personalized board game, with their own pieces and rules. Register, then pick up your kit at your library and gather any additional art supplies you have to jazz up your game. A Zoom link will be sent on the morning of the program to registered families.

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 20
Registration Required 
972-205-2516

Kits will include:
Pre-made Cardboard game
Index card
1 die
4 Wooden Peg Doll pieces
1 set of basic crayons to use to decorate their board.
2 individual bags of trail mix snacks. There is a nut free substitute for this snack upon request.

Geocache Hunt

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt/scavenger hunt that promotes exploration, hiking, and walking around the community. Participants look for hidden “caches” and log their finds online. These caches can often be tiny, tricky to find, or disguised, which makes the finds more challenging.

View and print the Geocache log (PDF 502KB)

• Visit coordinates in the log using your GPS device or app.
• Find the micro cache and add your name (don't forget to bring a pen!)
• Re-hide the cache in the same place you found it.
• Check off the cache on this log.
• Once all caches are found, turn log in for a reward button!

There is no need to dig, climb, damage property, or even go inside. All caches are outdoors and above ground. If you need a hint, ask a librarian!

Summer Storytimes for Children

The Nicholson Memorial Library System announces Summer Storytimes for children and families.

Family Storytime 

Fridays, 10:30 a.m. in Facebook
Family Storytime will consist of stories, songs, rhymes and more!  

Outdoor Storytimes!

Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
Every Saturday beginning May 1 the Garland children's librarians will hold an outdoor storytime at neighborhood parks and the Urban Flea!

July 10: Urban Flea
July 17: Hollabaugh Park: Crab Grabber Lab
July 24: Holford Park
July 31: South Garland Branch: Summer Library Games!

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, please call 972-205-2516.

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

Programs and events geared to elementary school age children plus toddlers and babies.

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. 

Programs and events for junior high and high school age kids.  Regular events include gaming parties.

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., 2nd Wednesday of the month
Zoom meeting
972-205-2516

Please call and register to receive the Zoom invite.  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 2021:
July 14, 2021
August 11, 2021
September 8, 2021
October 14, 2021
November 10, 2021
December 8, 2021

Until the pandemic has ended this will be done over Zoom.

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

Geocache Hunt

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt/scavenger hunt that promotes exploration, hiking, and walking around the community. Participants look for hidden “caches” and log their finds online. These caches can often be tiny, tricky to find, or disguised, which makes the finds more challenging.

View and print the Geocache log (PDF 502KB)

• Visit coordinates in the log using your GPS device or app.
• Find the micro cache and add your name (don't forget to bring a pen!)
• Re-hide the cache in the same place you found it.
• Check off the cache on this log.
• Once all caches are found, turn log in for a reward button!

There is no need to dig, climb, damage property, or even go inside. All caches are outdoors and above ground. If you need a hint, ask a librarian!

Adult Book Club

Participate in the #GarlandLibrary’s book club by joining a live discussion online.

6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month

Be sure to register for this Zoom event in advance: http://ow.ly/c8Ad50ALJVm.

2021 Book List:
January Book: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett 
February: Theme (Love)
March Book: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
April: Theme (Speculative Fiction)
May Book: The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
June: Theme (Family)
July Book: The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett
August: Historical Fiction