Top 5 Free Things to do at your Plano Public Library this January

From preschool to professional, Plano Public Library (PPL) has something for everyone. Not interested in reading? No biggie – PPL is #morethanbooks! Check out some of their upcoming events – in-person and virtual – for all your educating and entertaining needs:

1. Have a playdate at the library
Ages 1-3 with parent/caregiver

Spend time together with your child, make new friends and talk one-on-one with child development specialists at our upcoming Family Place Playgroup. Raising children can spark lots of questions. What should you expect? Is that normal? Who can help? The Family Place Playgroup offers caregivers the chance to ask important questions from child development experts in our community one-on-one.

Registration at Schimelpfenig Library beginning January 10. The next playgroup session runs from January 26 to February 23 at Schimelpfenig Library, meeting on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 am. It is open to any caregiver with a young toddler, and older or younger siblings may also attend.

2. Get environmentally friendly through art and plants
Various ages, ticketed

If any of your resolutions are to make more art (or learn how) or add plants into your life, the library has the perfect events to get you started.

• • Sustainability and Environmental Education Division is collaborating with PPL for Grow Fresh Air, an adults-only workshop on Thursday, January 20 at 6:30 pm at Haggard Library. Did you know that you can improve your indoor air quality just using plants? This hands-on class will explore some of SEED’s favorite indoor plants for freshening up your space. Space is limited, so show up by 6 pm to get a ticket.

• Explore your artistic talents and use recycled materials to customize a self-portrait at the Recycled Portraits workshop. By creating a self-portrait, young children can begin documenting how they see themselves, and how they want others to perceive them. Meeting on Saturday, January 22 at 3 pm at Haggard Library, this class is for all ages. Supplies are limited, so show up by 2:30 pm to get a ticket.

3. Build connections and skills with entrepreneurs
Adults, registration required

A new program offered by SCORE and PPL, Team Up for Entrepreneurial Success (TUES), meets monthly on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm at Haggard Library. These meetings offer opportunities for networking, problem-solving, access to resources and coaching with SCORE Mentors, subject matter experts and Plano Library staff. Group discussion follows a brief business-focused presentation. Bring your challenges to the group for input, resources and solutions. On January 25, attendees will learn about the Start-Up Roadmap.

Listen to SCORE Mentor Don Walter talk about this new program on the Plano Library Speak podcast, episode 4, on the Plano Library Learns blog.

4. Create and edit video in the Digital Creation Spaces
Ages 13+, ticketed

On Tuesday, January 25 at 6:30 pm at Parr Library, you will learn the basics of editing video with Adobe Premiere Pro in the Premiere: Basics workshop. This class will take you through creating your project and importing your media, commonly used editing tools and the final export process.

This class meets in the Digital Creation Space at Parr Library, which is open for the community to use to create, edit, and complete digital projects like podcasts, photography, videos and more. This space is limited, so come to Parr Library by 6 pm to get a ticket for this class.

5. Make bill managing easier
Adults, registration required

Financial literacy is a focus area for PPL, so you will see new workshops popping up monthly for a variety of ages to learn money basics, navigating career options, refinancing, estate planning and more. This January, in partnership with Bank of America, you can attend How to Manage Your Bills: A Step-by-Step Guide to learn simple ways to get organized so you can stay on top of your expenses. This class is virtual, so registration is required, and meets on Thursday, January 27 at 6:30 pm.

If you do not already have a Plano Public Library card, be sure to register online here. All Plano Public Library locations are open to use computers, browse the collection, and attend in-person programs. Porch side pickup for holds is available, and you can always access eLibrary content online.