Library Services
Mission Statement
The Nicholson Memorial Library System of Garland, Texas provides free materials, services, programs, facilities and personal assistance to meet the recreational, cultural, educational and informational needs of Garland citizens.
Garland Libraries:
Garland has four libraries to serve the community:
- Central Library (Central)
- North Garland Branch Library (North)
- South Garland Branch Library (South)
- Walnut Creek Branch Library (Walnut Creek)
Some resources and services are not available at all locations.
A current library card in good standing is required to use many library services, including:
- materials checkout
- public computers
- online resources
- borrowing an item through interlibrary loan
To obtain a library card, visit any Garland Library and present an unexpired Texas driver’s license or Texas State ID showing your current address. A parent or legal guardian may apply on behalf of a child under the age of 18. For more information, call 972-205-2500.
Garland Libraries offer:
• Professional librarians to assist you at all locations
• Tools to help you discover books and media, great authors, or subject areas that will interest you
• Audiobooks in CD or downloadable format
• Newspapers and magazines in print and online
• Dallas Morning News (1972- ); Garland Newspapers (1900-2000); and the New York Times (1854-2008) on microfilm (Central)
• Specialized print and microform materials in genealogy, business, & law at the Central Library as well as online
• Study guides for popular tests in print and online
• A variety of online resources to assist with homework, test prep, job search and resume tools, auto repair, genealogy and many more.
• A Virtual Reference Library giving patrons access to hundreds of reference books online
• Interlibrary Loan Services for Garland residents in case the library does not own the item you need (currently unavailable due to COVID-19)
• Foreign Language materials in Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese
• GISD textbooks for use in the library (Central)
• City Council documents including the Annual Operating Budget and Capital Improvements program (Central)
• Computers for public use with librarians to help you get started
• Early literacy touch-screen computers for young children, each with over 50 educational software programs
• Dedicated juvenile and teen computer areas
• JAWS screen reader and MAGic magnification software accessible on all public computers
• Librarians and Library Assistants trained to help you use our computers and online resources, including OverDrive and RBdigital
• Reserve a computer if they are all in use
• "GarlandPublic" Wireless Internet access 24/7, in libraries and in nearby parking areas
• Black & white photocopiers at all locations ($.15 per page)
• Black & white ($.15 per page) and color printers ($.50 per page) at all locations
• Public fax machine (South - $1.75 for the first page; $1.00 each additional page; service provided by https://faxscan24.com/)
• Scanner at all locations (free to scan to USB, to email, to Google Drive; printing B&W ($.15 per page) and color ($.50 per page))
• Microfilm reader/printers (Central)
All programming at the Garland Libraries is currently being done virtually either through Facebook Live or using prerecorded videos.
- Programs for children, teens, and adults
- Storytimes for children
- Senior Social Hour for adults 55 and over
- Computer classes for Internet and software applications (Central, South)
- Summer Reading Programs for adults, teens and children
Please visit the Programming and Events page for more information.
• Group study rooms for collaboration by up to four people (Central, North, South). Group Study Rooms at Central Library require a valid library card.
• Group study rooms for collaboration by up to eight people (South)
• Quiet study room (no collaboration or computer use allowed) (South)
• Study and research area on the lower level of the Central Library
• Individual study rooms on the lower level of the Central Library
• Children’s areas (children accompanied by parents and guardians)
• Teen areas (teens only or teens accompanied by parents and guardians) (Central, South)
• Computer use areas with Internet-enabled PCs (library card required for use)
• Vending areas with soda machines (Central, North, South). Please note covered drinks are fine in the libraries, but no food and no drinks without a lid
• Library program rooms that may be used by Garland-based organizations when not in use by the library
- Membership applications to become a Friend of the Library
- The Access Newsletter detailing Library and Friends events
- Friend’s magazine recycling table where patrons can make a small donation in exchange for popular magazines
- Book donation boxes for gently used books and media
Please visit the Friends of the Library page for more information.