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.

Creativity Night / Noche de Creatividad

6 p.m., Tuesdays, January 10 - March 28
Central Library

Let's get creative! Join us every Tuesday night for an hour of crafting the whole family can enjoy. Drop in between 6-7pm! 

¡Seamos creativos! Acompáñenos todos los Martes por la noche para una hora de manualidades que puede disfrutar toda la familia. ¡Pase entre 6-7pm!   

Big Art Day: CommUNITY Art

1 p.m., Saturday, April 1
Walnut Creek Branch Library

Stop by the Walnut Creek Library and make a piece of art using the outline of your hand for our CommUNITY Art display. The display will celebrate kindness, friendship, and unity as a part of our upcoming Summer Reading Program: All Together Now.

Big Art Day

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 1
North Garland Branch Library

Stop by the North Garland Branch Library and paint feathers with watercolors. The painted feathers will be mounted on foam board and included in a sculpture designed to look like wings.

Little Art Explorers

2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 1
South Garland Branch Library

Let's get messy, create, and grow together! This art program encourages little ones to explore, be creative, and use their imaginations through different activities. We focus on the process of making art instead of the product, and work on strengthening early literacy skills. 

In April we're celebrating Big Art Day with paint and creating a community mural! Children are encouraged to wear clothes that are paint friendly! Art supplies are while supplies last.

Tiny Tot Prom

12:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 4
South Garland Branch Library

We would BEE very HOPPY if you would join us for our springtime Tiny Tot Prom! Dress up in your best for a fun time groovin' to music, crafts, photos, and snacks! RSVP opens March 21. Call 972-205-3934 for details.

Gardening for Kids

2:30 p.m., Monday, April 10
Central Library

Join us for an afternoon outside as we teach you how to plant your own vegetable with this fun and simple introductory class. Open to children ages 5-9. Registration required. Call 972-205-2516 for details.

Spring Carnival

2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 15
Walnut Creek Branch Library

Celebrate our local community by providing a fun afternoon filled with engaging activities fit for the whole family. Call 972-205-2585 for more details.

Steam Lab Saturday

10 a.m., Saturday April 15
North Garland Branch Library

Participants will explore science and engineering concepts while completing hands-on STEAM projects.

• March - Rubber Band Racers
• April - Stomp Rockets

Registration is required and begins two weeks before the event dates. Call 972-205-2804 for more details.

Bookworm Book Club

1 p.m., Tuesday April 18
South Garland Branch Library

Are you and your preschooler looking for a new way to enjoy reading? Join our new Bookworm Book Club at the South Garland Branch Library! Read a book based on this month's theme, bring it to the program to share, and enjoy doing fun crafts and more! No registration is required. Call 972-205-3934 for more details.

Family Place Playtime

12:15 p.m., Thursdays, March 23 - April 20
South Garland Branch Library

Join us for a special 5-week playtime series for families with children ages 1-3 years old. Family Place Playtime will feature toys & playtime, books & singing, and an art activities. Child development specialists and community resources will be available. 

THE FAMILY PLACE WORKSHOPS ARE FULL

 https://nmls.beanstack.org/reader365 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.

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.

Keep Calm Kits

2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 8
Walnut Creek Branch Library

Create your own Keep Calm Kit. This program is designed to introduce students to calming techniques that can be used during stressful times like year-end testing. Students will personalize their own kit and learn techniques to help them Keep Calm and Carry On through the end of the school year.

Middle Grade Makers: Kirigami Sculptures

2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 29
Walnut Creek Branch Library

Students in 4th - 8th grade will celebrate Asian Pacific Island Month by making paper art piece called Kirigami. Kirigami is similar art form to origami but it incorporates both folding and cutting paper.

Teen After Hours: Domino Challenge

6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 29
South Garland Branch Library

Hey Teens! Build the ultimate domino run after the South Garland Branch Library CLOSES! Topple when you are ready or rally with a buddy. Registration is required to attend this event. Call 972-205-3934 for details.

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 2023:

• April 13
• May 11
• June 8

Computer Classes for Beginners

2 p.m. Tuesday March 28

The Garland Libraries will host a computer class every other week at Central Library. Open to Garland Residents. Registration opens two weeks before the class date. 

• March 28 - Intro to Excel

Central Library 972-205-2533

Punny Planters

2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 8

Give your favorite plant a little extra personality at our Punny Planters program! Create your own punny planters using paint, pre-made phrase stencils, and terra cotta pots. Harness the power of puns to make your plants grow by adding funny phrases like "You Grow, Girl" and "I Wet My Plants."

South Garland Branch Library 
972-205-3931

Get Your Game On!

2 p.m., Wednesday April 12

Join us for an afternoon of gaming! We will provide an assortment of board games that adults to play together such as scrabble, playing cards, dominoes, checkers, backgammon. 

Walnut Creek Branch Library 
972-205-2587

Building Your Crochet Basics

6:30 p.m., Thursday April 13

Come learn to crochet with us as we present a monthly, four-part series on the basics of crochet. You’ll go from learning how to get started with a slip knot and chain stitch to learning more complex skills like double crochet, increasing and decreasing, and how to make a granny square.

South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3931

Garden Decor: Book Bricks

5 p.m., Thursday, April 20

Celebrate springtime at the North Garland Branch Library by making Book Bricks! You will paint bricks to look like your favorite books for your garden. All supplies included. Registration required and starts 4/6/23.

North Garland Branch Library 
972-205-2803

Earth Day Container Gardening Class

2 p.m., Saturday, April 22

The Central Library will host a container gardening class on Sat. Apr. 22, from 2-4 pm. Supplies for the container plant will be provided by the Library. Space is limited and registration is required.

Central Library 
972-205-2533

book clubs

Adult Book Club
6:30 p.m., Thursday April 20

• April 20: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Interested in reading and discussing books with other library patrons? Join us for the book club at the South Garland Branch Library as we discuss a different book each month and enjoy light refreshments.

South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3931

Mystery Book Club
6 p.m., Thursdays, March 23, and April 27

Adult book club for lovers of mysteries and thrillers. This club meets once a month @ 6:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month. No registration required. 

March 23: Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke
April 27: The Dry by Jane Harper

Central Library 972-205-2501

Get Bready to Crumble: Baking Book Club
2:30 p.m., Saturday April 22

Prove you've got what it bakes! Choose a recipe from our selected book or bring your favorite recipe that fits each month's theme. When all is said and bun, you can enjoy a taste of all the baked goods prepared for the program while discussing the selected book, the month's theme, or baking in general. Be a part of history in the baking at this new library program!

April Theme: After All Is Said and Bun - Eid-al-Fitr Bakes (Middle Eastern Baking) 
Register by calling 972-205-3931.

South Garland Branch Library 972-205-3931

English Conversation Class

6:30 p.m., Mondays beginning January 9
Central Library

6:30 p.m., Tuesdays beginning January 3
South Garland Branch Library

Meeting once a week, these interactive conversation groups for English learners are geared toward improving every day skills in a casual setting. These classes will allow participants to improve their conversational skills in a friendly environment as well as build vocabulary and confidence.

For more information, please call 972-205-2501.

Every Body Yoga

2 p.m. Fridays, January 13 through April 28

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 abilities and fitness levels.

South Garland Branch Library
972-205-3931