Virtual Programming
Facebook Live Storytimes for Children 
The Nicholson Memorial Library System announces virtual Storytimes for children and families in August. Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and more from home! Tune in with your kids and help maintain their early literacy skills.
Family Storytime Fridays, 10:30 a.m.
Connect with your Garland Library and like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GarlandLibraryTX.
Storytime videos stay in Facebook for 24 hours.
Teen Program - Geeky Terrariums
Teens will get to create a geeky terrarium from a mason jar and any geeky figurines and accessories they have at home. Library staff will show teens how to create a scene in their terrarium with the materials they have at home – fishing wire, paper, hot glue, sand, rocks, etc. Teens can then create their own terrariums.
Supplies needed:
Laptop
Internet
Table
Chair
Fishing wire
Paper
Hot glue/hot glue gun
Sand/rocks
Markers/crayons
Scissors
Pen/pencil
Mason Jars
Adult Informational Program: Resume Basics
Get some tips on how to create a #resume, find templates, and avoid common mistakes from Jenna, one of our Adult Services Librarians.
Creative Kids - Could You Be a Knight
Children will get to create their own shields and learn to joust with a pool noodle. Children can register and then pick-up the knight shield at the Central Library (in-person or curbside pickup). Children can use a pool noodle they already have or some other flexible implement their parents allow them to joust with. Children will learn about historical knights and we will give parents some ideas of other knight themed activities to do at home.
Supplies needed:
Markers
Precut Knight Shield
Pool Noodle
Target
The knight shield for Creative Kids will be offered to the first 24 participants to request them. Call the Central Library at 972-205-2516 to register. Curbside pickup is available.
Creative Kids (Ages 6-12) Kaleidoscope Fun
Come have some kaleidoscope fun! Learn how kaleidoscopes work, while creating their own unique design using recycled materials, straws, and mirrored paper.
Supplies needed:
Recycled toilet paper tubes
Straws
Mirror board
Cardstock
Drawing tool (pencil, pen, marker, etc.)
Coloring tools (markers, crayons, etc.)
“All in the Family” Preserving Family Stories Using Technology
Patrons can learn the basics on how to digitally preserve family stories using digital apps and recording equipment. We will demonstrate how to use a few of the apps for recording audio and video as well as provide resources on how to conduct interviews with family members to help preserve family history.
Adult Craft Workshop - Book Binding
Patrons will learn about the Japanese style of book binding. This method involves using a blunt needle to sew pages together, eliminating the need for glue or other binding equipment.
Supplies needed:
Assorted paper
Bookbinding needles (or a blunt needle)
Awl (or a hammer and nail, drill, sharp tweezers, thumbtacks, pins)
Waxed linen thread (or any thread waxed with beeswax)
Binder clips (or clothespins, paper clips)
Pencil/pen
Scissors
Rulers
Art Explorers: Magical Agamograph
Art Explorers will create an Agamograph. Agamographs are 3-D art made with two to three images. The participants will create two separate images of fantastical landscapes to make their own Magical Agamograph.
Supplies needed:
4- 8.5 x 11 sheets of cardstock
crayons
markers
scissors
glue
Creative Kids (Ages 6-12) - Creative Creatures
The Children will participate in STEAM activities that involve fairy tale creatures and creatures of their own design.
Flying dragon: Using paper tubes, and their own decoration, the children will create a dragon which will then be placed on two strings. The strings will be used as a lever to help the dragon “fly” up the string.
Pool noodle monsters: children can use their creative side to make a monster of their choosing.
Supplies needed:
Toilet paper rolls
Construction paper
String
Googly Eyes
Pom poms
Pipe cleaners
Scissors
Tween Scene (Ages 10-13) - Origami Dragon Eyes
Tween will learn how to fold a square sheet of paper into a blinking dragon eye. While folding, the participants will also begin to draw and color the dragon’s eye and the scales. The tweens may be able to complete more than one eye if they are quick artists.
Supplies needed:
Drawing tool (pencil, pen, marker, etc.)
Paper (copy paper or whatever paper)
Scissors
Coloring tools (crayons, colored pencils, markers, etc.)
Adulting 101: Laundry
Teens will learn how to do laundry. From sorting colors, choosing which cycle on the machine to use and what all those strange symbols on clothing tags mean, this program will make sure that teens will not have problems doing their own laundry.
Creative Kids (Ages 6-12) - Kawaii Fantasy Creature Comics
Participants will create their own comic strips, and draw fantasy kawaii creatures to go with their comics, using numbers and letters. Comic strip panels will be printed prior to the program.
Supplies needed:
Drawing tool (pencil, pen, marker, etc.)
Paper (copy paper or whatever paper)
Images of the creatures being drawn (PDF)
Comic strip panel template (PDF)
Adult Informational Program: Genealogy
Library staff will provide an introduction to getting started with family research. Library resources to start that process will be highlighted, focusing primarily on easily accessible online resources like Heritage Quest and FamilySearch. Staff will also discuss area libraries with more extensive print collections like Dallas Public Library and McKinney Public Library.
Adult Craft Workshop - Patriotic Flowerpot
Watch one of our librarians show you how to use painter’s tape to decorate a terra cotta pot in the style of an American flag. Star decals can be created by placing painters tape on top of a sheet of wax paper, drawing star shapes, cutting them out, then sticking them on the pot. While we will not show the use of an acrylic sealer, it will be suggested that crafters use it if they plan on placing the painted pot outside.
Supplies needed:
Terra Cotta flowerpot
Painter’s tape
Wax paper
Sanding sponge (or fine/medium grit sandpaper)
Paint (red, white, and blue acrylic)
Brushes
Creative Kids (Ages 6-12) - STEAM Like a Royal
The Little Mermaid wants to look beautiful for her prince. Decorate her tin foil tail with sharpies to make her ready for anything!
Rapunzel has been trapped in her tower all her life! Help her explore the outside world by building her an escape route from her tower!
Snow White is hiding from the Evil Queen at the home of the Seven Dwarves. Create a dwarf beard for Snow White to wear as a disguise!
Supplies needed:
Construction Paper
Popsicle sticks
Index cards
Yarn
Pipe cleaners
Tooth picks
Tin foil
Cotton balls
Tape
Scissors
Glue
Sharpies
Adult Craft Workshop - Wine Cork Pendant
Patrons will learn how to turn slices of wine corks into personalized pendant necklaces using paint, stamps, and other supplies.
Supplies:
Wine Corks-to cut into slices
Acrylic Paints
Stamps or stencils
Cording
Pendant Bails
Hot glue or super glue
Optional:
Sandpaper
Creative Kids (Ages 6-12) - Dragon Paper Plate Gliders
Participants will create dragon gliders using paper plates to make the wings and the body. They will then paint their dragons with a combination of watercolor paints and sharpies.
Supplies needed:
Paper Plates
Dragon template for tracing (PDF)
Drawing/coloring tool (pencil, pen, marker, watercolor paint etc.)
Stapler
Scissors
Memoir Writing
Learn about the basics of writing your memoir. From structuring your memoir and gathering up your information to the purpose of memoirs, and some resources to help you get started.
Adult Craft Workshop - Newspaper Bowl
Learn how to make a multipurpose bowl! Watch one of our librarians demonstrate how to make a multipurpose bowl using old newspapers or magazines.
Supplies:
Old newspapers or magazines
Craft glue
Scissors
Paint brush
Bamboo skewer or knitting needle (The length should be at least 12 inches)
Optional:
Acrylic paint
Art Explorers (Ages 6-12) - Mythical Creature Mosaics
Draw inspiration from Fairy Tales, Mythology, and Fantasy to make mosaic art using colorful stickers. Create mythical animals like Unicorns, Dragons, Phoenix, Fairies and more.
Craft Kits will include:
6 x 9 in. mixed media paper with a mythical creature pre-drawn.
1 Sheet of 144 florescent stickers (each sticker - size 0.5 x 0.75 Inches)
1 Instruction Sheet
Creative Kids (Ages 6-12) - Fizz! Boom! STEAM: Science of Magic
Use science to learn Magic tricks! Kids can learn some scientific magic tricks like the floating feather trick and the static can trick. Attendees may then race their cans without touching them, using balloons and the magic of static electricity.
Supplies needed:
Feathers
Paper clips
Magnets
Jumbo Craft Sticks (2)
Electrical tape or other tape that is nicely colored
Aluminum can
Balloon
Scissors
Fishing line
Adult Craft Workshop - Zentangle Postcards
Watch a tutorial video and learn how to create a personalized Zentangle from a photo. Zentangle can be both a method of stress relief and a cool piece of art!
Tween Scene (Ages 10-13) - Catapults
Tween will learn how to construct a mini catapult by wrapping popsicle sticks with rubber bands. Once the catapults have been constructed, the participants will then test their catapult’s throwing power by launching various objects of different shapes, sizes, and weights toward a bullseye placed one foot away. A premade chart to record your results is available to illustrate your catapults power.
Supplies needed:
10 craft sticks
rubber bands
a plastic spoon
two pom poms
a paper bullseye (PDF)
a sheet to record their results (PDF)
Adulting 101: Car Maintenance
Teens will learn how to do some basic car maintenance: checking their oil, adding windshield wiper fluid, checking tire pressure, how to adjust tire pressure and how to change a flat tire!
Creative Kids (Ages 6-12) - Ancient Greek Vases
Kids ages 6 through 12 can learn some Greek history with a game of Roll and Draw to create an Ancient Greek vase of their own design! Participants will roll a dice to indicate what to draw, and where, on a shape of an ancient Greek vase. They will also learn some of the history behind the vases and mythology, and the symbols being drawn on them.
Supplies needed:
Paper, any kind will do
Drawing tools (e.g. pencil or markers)
Coloring tools (e.g. crayons or markers)
Dice or a dice alternative (e.g. pieces of paper numbered 1 - 6)
Roll-the-dice template (PDF)
If you don’t have a printer at home, contact the Library about Mobile Printing that you can pickup curbside!
Be creative! Try making your vase with paint instead of pencils, markers, crayons!
STEAM Activities at Home: Drawing Animals with Numbers
Need an activity to keep the kids busy while at home? Join Miss Dorothy to learn how to draw animals with numbers!
How We Used To: Sewing Basics
Learn how to thread a needle and then do basic knots and stitches
Materials You'll Need:
Thread
Sewing Needle
Fabric
Scissors
Needle Threader (optional)
Thimble (optional)
Fabric Pencil/Marker (Optional)
How We Used To: Seed Starting Indoors
Learn how to start seeds inside so they will be ready to plant after the lest frost.
Materials You'll Need:
Seed Packets
Cardboard Egg Cartons
Scissors/Sharp Knife
Seed Starting Potting Mix
Water/Spray Bottle
Plastic Wrap/Container
How to Crochet
In this tutorial, you’ll learn the basics of crochet--the slip knot, chain stitch, and single crochet stitch--and then we’ll put it all together to make a crochet washcloth.
Pom Pom Bookmark
In this tutorial, we will show you how to make a Pom Pom bookmark using yarn, scissors, tape, and your fingers.
STEAM Activities at Home: Scratch Art Paper
Need an activity to keep the kids busy while at home? Join Miss Dorothy to learn how to make your very own scratch art paper!
Adult Craft Workshop: Paint Pouring Vase
In this tutorial, we will be showing you how to decorate a mason jar with acrylic paint and paint pouring medium.
Stomp Rockets
In this tutorial, we will be showing you how to make a rocket and rocket launcher from paper, craft supplies, PVC pipe, and a 2-liter soda bottle that you can take outside and launch.
STEAM Activities at Home: Paper Airplanes
Need an activity to keep the kids busy while at home? Join Miss Dorothy to learn how to build three different types of paper airplanes or gliders before measuring how far they fly!
Origami Fukuyama Rose and Kusudama Flowers
Instructions (PDF)