Allen Public Library

Rain or shine, the Collin County Master Gardeners are hard at work maintaining the gardens in the Library Courtyard!

You may have noticed the Master Gardeners tending to our beautiful flowers every now and then! They have made so much progress since we reopened last fall and we're so grateful for their help! Whether they are mulching or planting new blooms, the Gardeners are always working diligently to liven up the Courtyard.

Many thanks to the Collin County Master Gardeners!

Read a story and enjoy a walk with your family! The Storybook Trail is a self-led activity in which pages of a children’s storybook are placed in kiosks along the trail located outside the Terrell Recreation Center at 1680 W. Exchange Parkway.
To participate in the Storybook Trail, begin at the first kiosk and follow the numbered signs as you read along.
We are featuring Tell Me About Juneteenth by Kortney Nash.
The Storybook Trail was made in collaboration with the Allen Parks and Recreation Department and the Allen Parks Foundation.

We had some talented artists recently at our adult program, Art With Christa: Matisse Style Watercolor!

With the help of Christa Diepenbrock, patrons were able to achieve the same style used by Henri Matisse.

Matisse use a technique called reserve lines where he would paint the entire canvas with a light color, then paint over the canvas with a contrasting color right up to the border of the objects in the painting. By intentionally leaving some of the underlying paint visible, Matisse created a glowing outline effect.

Christa will be back for an art and archeology inspired workshop on Thursday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. in Meeting Rooms A & B.

You can find her ceramic work at several art galleries and specialty shops throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Find out more at Turningart.com/artist/Christa-Diepenbrock.

Unearth a cinematic story every Tuesday at Summer Movies!

Every week, we offer a different dinosaur themed movie for free, no ticket or registration required. Go to https://events.allentx.gov/alltx?filter=Allen+Public+Library to uncover the next dino-film!

Every Tuesday, starting June 2 at 2:30 p.m. in the Civic Auditorium. For ages 5+. No ticket or registration is required.

Summer Reading has started at the Allen Public Library! Join us for our first week of events!

We offer a variety of fun programs and events for everyone. Check out what we have lined up for children in the coming week! To see more Library events, go to AllenTX.gov/Events

Dinosaur Party
• Monday, June 1 at 3 p.m.
• Children's Program Rooms A & B
• Recommended for ages 5+

Monday Night Open Chess
• Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m.
• Meeting Room B
• Recommended for ages 5+

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Trivia
• Tuesday, June 2 at 3 p.m.
• Children's Program Rooms A & B
• Grades 4-6
• Ticket required

All About Animals Live!
• Wednesday, June 3 at 2:30 & 3:45 p.m.
• Civic Auditorium
• Recommended for ages 5+
• Ticket required

DIY Fantasy Mapmaking
• Thursday, June 4 at 3 p.m.
• Children's Program Rooms A & B
• Grades 7-12
• Ticket required

Summer Reading has started at the Allen Public Library! Join us for our first week of events!

We offer a variety of fun programs and events for everyone. Check out what we have lined up for adults in the coming week! To see more Library events, go to AllenTX.gov/Events

Books & Brews
• Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m.
• Brass Tap Beer Bar, Allen (2540 N. Watters Road, #180)
• Ages 21+

Monday Night Open Chess
• Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m.
• Meeting Room B
• Recommended for ages 5+

Write Here Write Now
• Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m.
• Program Room C
• Ages 18+

Hobby Hop: Rolled Beeswax Candles
• Saturday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m.
• Meeting Rooms A & B
• Ages 18+

Hammer Dyeing with Flowers
• Sunday, June 7 at 3 p.m.
• Meeting Rooms A & B
• Ages 18+

Our Summer Story Time session will begin Monday, June 1! Come join us for a roaring good time every week in Children’s Program Room A!

Pajama Story Time:
Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Ages 3+

Baby and Me:
Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m.
Ages 0-12 months

Together Time Story Time:
Wednesdays at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Ages 3-5

Fun Ones and Twos:
Thursdays at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Ages 1-2

Free ticket required. Tickets will be available 30 minutes before the program starts at the Children’s Desk.

Caregiver must stay with their child and strollers must be parked outside of Program Room A. For more information, visit AllenLibrary.org/StoryTime.

Say cheers at our newest book club, Books & Brews, this Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. 🍻

Every first Monday of the month, we will meet at The Brass Tap Craft Beer Bar in Allen to discuss books while enjoying a glass of craft beer.

This month, we will be discussing “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton. You can email Kate at [email protected] for more information.

For ages 21+, no registration required.
Located at the Brass Tap Beer Bar, 2540 N. Watters Road, Allen, TX 75013.

Fun things are stomping into the Library this Summer! To help keep the Library safe and exciting for everyone, we’d like to share a few important reminders about visiting the Library.

Children and Families:
• Children under 10 must be supervised by a guardian age 16 or older.
• Leave strollers outside the program rooms and Preschool Playroom to ensure enough space for everyone.
• Each play area is made with a specific age in mind. Please have children play in the age-appropriate areas (Preschool Playroom: ages Birth-5; Elementary Play Space: grades K-6; Teen Rooms A & B: grades 7-12).

For all patrons:
• Checking out a study room or laptop requires a library card.
• Food can be eaten in the Library Living Room. Small snacks and drinks with lids are allowed in the rest of the Library.
• Some programs require free tickets or registration to attend. Check AllenTX.gov/Events in advance for information.

Need more information? Contact us at AllenLibrary.org/AskAPL or call us at 214.509.4900.

The Allen Public Library welcomes all patrons, including those who are neurodivergent! Summer Reading is an exciting time, and we want every visitor to feel safe, supported, and comfortable. Here’s what you can expect during your visit this summer.

You may notice:
• Large crowds, especially during events.
• Programs with speakers, crafts, music, movies, live animals, and more.
• Higher noise levels, especially during the daytime.
• A variety of seating options throughout the library.
• Interactive toys and technology in the Children’s Library.

Feel free to:
• Book a study room for a quieter space. (A library card is required for reservations).
• Use the comfort room in the Children’s Library. Parents with children who need a quiet space are welcome to use the room.
• Bring accommodations such as headphones and sensory tools.
• Check our online calendar at https://events.allentx.gov/alltx?filter=Allen+Public+Library to prepare for your visit.

We are here to help! If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach out to the Library by calling 214.509.4900 or by filling out the Ask APL form at AllenLibrary.org/AskAPL. You can also visit a reference desk and talk to one of our Librarians. We are happy to help with any concerns you may have!

We hope this summer is a fun one for all of our patrons!

Unlock your creativity this summer with our annual Summer Writing Competition! 🖋️

Write a short story between 750-1000 words in any genre or style! This year’s theme is Unearth Your Story and the writing competition is open to anyone ages 10+ (yes, adults too!) The winner of each age group will receive a gift card to a local business.

How to submit a story:

• Please include your name, age, and city in your submission.
• Email your story to [email protected] and [email protected].
• Make sure to submit your story by Tuesday, July 21!

We can’t wait to Unearth your Stories! 🦖

For ages 10+, May 26-July 21. Unlock your creativity this summer with our annual Summer Writing Competition. The theme is Unearth Your Story – choose your own genre and style. Story entries must be within 750-1000 words.
Please include your name, age, and city in your story. Submit stories to [email protected] and [email protected]

The Library will be closed Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

No materials will be due while the Library is closed. Please keep your checked out materials until we reopen to the public on Tuesday, May 26. Our exterior book drop will not be available while we are closed for the holiday.

Our Digital Library is available 24/7 with eBooks, Audiobooks, graphic novels, newspapers, and language learning at your fingertips.

Tales & Textiles for Wednesday, May 13 has been canceled.

Our next Tales & Textiles program will be Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit AllenTX.gov/Events

Thank you for your understanding.

Our youngest patrons were turning heads at our fifth annual Baby Prom! 🪩

This year’s theme was Rock n’ Roll and the babies knew how to party with bubbles, bubble wrap, and rockin’ dance moves!

Special thanks to Diana Health for sponsoring this event and providing the lovely goody bags.

April’s poetry board was a success!

Since April was National Poetry Month, patrons could make poems using magnetic word tiles or by blacking out words on a page. There were so many great entries this year and we wanted to share a few of our favorites.

Thank you to everyone who contributed with your poems! We hope you had fun!

POV: You went to Audio Adventures with the Allen Public Library 😌

If you like walking through a beautiful trail while listening to audiobooks or music, then join us for our walking club!

We’ll explore Cottonwood Creek Trail and other historical landmarks in Allen while listening to our personal devices. We’ll also discuss our selections and share reflections.

Our next meeting is Saturday, May 9 at 9 a.m. Meet at the Library Courtyard equipped with headphones and walking shoes!

Attention! Celebrate Mother’s Day with us at our last Dual Language Story Time of the season!

Don’t miss out Friday, May 8 at 10:30 a.m. in Children’s Program Room A. Dual Language Story Times will continue in the Fall.

¡Atención! ¡Celebra el Día de la Madre con nosotros en nuestra última Hora de Cuentos bilingüe de la temporada!

¡No te la pierdas el viernes 8 de mayo a las 10:30 en la Sala de Programas Infantiles A! Las Horas de Cuentos bilingües continuarán en el otoño.

Curious about how we restock the APL Seed Library?

Come see for yourself at our drop-in Seed Packing Party! We'll pack seeds together while enjoying light refreshments and good company.

Help grow the Seed Library Wednesday, May 6 at 3 p.m. in Meeting Rooms A & B. For ages 18+. Come and go as needed.

The north parking lot will be closed for restriping Monday, May 4 at 6 a.m. Painting is scheduled to be finished by noon.

During this time, please park at the northeast and southeast parking lot. Updates will be posted.

We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause.

Here are the trivia answers from Allen 150 Fest! How many did you get right?

Thank you to everyone who participated!

The winners of the H-E-B $25 gift cards have been contacted and will need to pick up their prizes by Sunday, May 3.

Allen 150 Fest was a blast!

We had so much fun hosting a bunch of activities from crafts to trivia to balloon animals. Thank you to those who dropped by and said hello!

Did you make a flower pot or a sand heart necklace? How well did you do in the Allen trivia? We hope everyone had as much fun as we did!

Trivia answers will be posted in a separate post, and the winner of the $25 H-E-B gift card has been contacted directly.

City of Allen City Hall

The Allen Public Library presents PressReader— get instant access to a world of news, stories, and ideas from the sources you trust.

PressReader brings the largest selection of global publications from trusted sources to libraries, all on a single digital platform. PressReader delivers full issues of premium newspapers and magazines the moment they hit newsstands from 7,000+ sources. All included in your library card!

Don’t forget the variety of puzzles with interactive features such as timers and hints, allowing an even more enriching experience.

To learn more or to download the mobile app, visit AllenLibrary.org/Digital_Library.

Prepare for your next babysitting gig this summer with the Library!

At Babysitting Boot Camp, we will teach teens how to keep the little clients busy with crafts, songs, and activities! Take a seat this Saturday, May 2 at 1 p.m. in Children’s Program Rooms A & B. For grades 6 to 12.

Babysitters will go through six stations each centered around the babysitter’s essentials. Learn about different games and activities, handy crafts for all ages, and safety basics to keep you equipped and ready!

Each participant will create a babysitting kit to take home. Free ticket required. Tickets will be available at the Children's Desk 30 minutes before the program starts.