Library Events & Programming

Tricks and Treats at the Library

Join us for a fun and spooky family event at the South Garland Branch Library. There will be games, crafts, treats, and a children's costume parade and contest! 

Saturday, October 30·2:30 – 4:00pm
South Garland Branch Library
4845 Broadway Blvd., Garland 75043

*Pumpkin Decorating 
*Face Painting 
*Cake Walk 
*Duck Game 
*Life-size Jenga and Connect Four 
*Toss Game 
*Craft (kids): Ghost lollipops 
*Craft(adult): Spooky wreaths 
*Children's costume parade and contest (will be held at 3pm) 
*Scavenger Hunt inside the library 
*Popcorn stand and candy at each of the booths 

Something for everyone plus prizes!

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 weekly. 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 week’s 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 week 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 one week 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.

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

Zoom into Kindergarten

Learn, play, and grow with Miss Dorothy & Abner the Owl! Read, sing, and explore colors, letters, numbers and more every Wednesday to help your preschooler Zoom into Kindergarten! Ages 3-5 and their caregivers. 

10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through December 1

This event will take place via Zoom. Register online or call us and a link will be emailed to you prior to the date of this program.

Questions? Give us a call at 972-205-3934.

Literacy in Motion

Get moving with Miss Morgan!  Children ages 18 months – 3 years, along with their caregivers, are invited to dance, read, and rhyme while building the motor and early literacy skills needed to learn, play, and grow! 

10:30 a.m. Fridays through December 3

This event will take place via Zoom. Register online or call us and a link will be emailed to you prior to the date of this program. 

Questions? Give us a call at 972-205-3934. 

Tricks and Treats at the Library

Join us for a fun and spooky family event at the South Garland Branch Library. There will be games, crafts, treats, and a children's costume parade and contest! 

Saturday, October 30·2:30 – 4:00pm
South Garland Branch Library
4845 Broadway Blvd., Garland 75043

*Pumpkin Decorating 
*Face Painting 
*Cake Walk 
*Duck Game 
*Life-size Jenga and Connect Four 
*Toss Game 
*Craft (kids): Ghost lollipops 
*Craft(adult): Spooky wreaths 
*Children's costume parade and contest (will be held at 3pm) 
*Scavenger Hunt inside the library 
*Popcorn stand and candy at each of the booths 

Something for everyone plus prizes!

El Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Essay Competition

On the Day of the Dead (el Día de Los Muertos), loved ones who have passed on are remembered and honored with altars, music, food, and celebration. While the holiday's origins go back thousands of years, the tradition is still very much alive in both Mexico and the United States.

To celebrate this year, the City of Garland invites students to participate in a Day of the Dead writing contest by contributing short original essays on the theme "Why is el Día de Los Muertos/ Day of the Dead important to me today?" Entries can be in English or Spanish, and winners will be recognized on the Garland Arts website and have an opportunity to read their pieces as part of the El Dia de Los Muertos festival on Monday evening, November 1 in the Downtown Square.

ELIGIBILITY/CATEGORIES
The writing contest is open to students in grades 3-12 who live in the city of Garland or are enrolled in GISD. There are three grade-level categories:
Grades 3-5: maximum length 350 words
Grade 6-9: maximum length 400 words
Grades 10-12: maximum length 450 

JUDGING 
The entries will be evaluated on a point system, with the following criteria considered: creativity, clarity, originality, storytelling, and overall interpretation of the theme. 

Correct usage of basic grammar and writing skills will also be considered. We recommend utilizing the resources of GISD school libraries and the Garland Public Libraries. 

PRIZES/RECOGNITION
First, second, and third prize winners will receive certificates and have their works featured on the Garland Arts webpage. First prize winners in each age group will win a special Garland-themed prize pack, a gift card to a downtown business, and be invited to read their essays live at the Día De Los Muertos festival on November 1st.

All entries must be submitted to THIS LINK (ESSAY COMPETITION REGISTRATION) by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 11, 2021. 

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact David Fisher, Cultural Arts Director, at 972-205-2789, or email David Fisher.

This event is a collaboration between the City of Garland Cultural Arts, Library and Special Events Departments.

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. 

Middle Makers: Make a Minecraft Torch

Middle Grade students, 4th - 8th grade, will make a paper Minecraft torch that includes an electrical circuit to power an LED light to make it shine.

2:30 p.m.to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30
Walnut Creek Branch Library
3319 Edgewood Dr.
Registration Required

Register online or call 972-205-2585

El Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Essay Competition

On the Day of the Dead (el Día de Los Muertos), loved ones who have passed on are remembered and honored with altars, music, food, and celebration. While the holiday's origins go back thousands of years, the tradition is still very much alive in both Mexico and the United States.

To celebrate this year, the City of Garland invites students to participate in a Day of the Dead writing contest by contributing short original essays on the theme "Why is el Día de Los Muertos/ Day of the Dead important to me today?" Entries can be in English or Spanish, and winners will be recognized on the Garland Arts website and have an opportunity to read their pieces as part of the El Dia de Los Muertos festival on Monday evening, November 1 in the Downtown Square.

ELIGIBILITY/CATEGORIES
The writing contest is open to students in grades 3-12 who live in the city of Garland or are enrolled in GISD. There are three grade-level categories:
Grades 3-5: maximum length 350 words
Grade 6-9: maximum length 400 words
Grades 10-12: maximum length 450 

JUDGING 
The entries will be evaluated on a point system, with the following criteria considered: creativity, clarity, originality, storytelling, and overall interpretation of the theme. 

Correct usage of basic grammar and writing skills will also be considered. We recommend utilizing the resources of GISD school libraries and the Garland Public Libraries. 

PRIZES/RECOGNITION
First, second, and third prize winners will receive certificates and have their works featured on the Garland Arts webpage. First prize winners in each age group will win a special Garland-themed prize pack, a gift card to a downtown business, and be invited to read their essays live at the Día De Los Muertos festival on November 1st.

All entries must be submitted to THIS LINK (ESSAY COMPETITION REGISTRATION) by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 11, 2021. 

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact David Fisher, Cultural Arts Director, at 972-205-2789, or email David Fisher.

This event is a collaboration between the City of Garland Cultural Arts, Library and Special Events Departments.

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:
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

Eating Well Is A SNAP!

Learn how to eat well on a budget, stretch your dollars, and maximize your SNAP benefits! led by A North Texas Food Bank Senior Case Navigator via Zoom. 

12 p.m., Monday, Oct. 25 via Zoom

This event will take place via Zoom. Register online and a link will be emailed to you prior to the date of this program. 

Registration required to receive the Zoom link. Please register by October 22.

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
September: News of the World by Paulett Jiles
October: Theme is True Crime (suggestions will be provided)
November: There There by Tommy Orange
December: Holiday themed book (Suggestions will be provided)