FALL 2025
Little Ones (0-3
Years)
weekly programs
BABY & ME (0-10 Months)
Encourage early literacy and motor skills with simple books, rhymes, bounces, tickles, and movement games.
JJGL Mondays; 10:30 a.m.
JJGL Wednesdays; 10:30 a.m.
WOBBLERS & WALKERS (10-20 Months)
If your little one is already walking or starting to walk, this program is for you! Join us for short rhymes and songs for the more mobile babies to enjoy.
JJGL Tuesdays; 10:30 a.m.
TODDLER TIME (16 Months-3 Years)
Spark your toddler’s imagination and encourage early literacy and social development with storytime, songs, and rhymes.
JJGL Thursdays; 10:30 a.m.
JJGL Fridays; 10:30 a.m.
JJGL John & Judy Gay Library
Pre-K (3-5 Years) & All Ages
& monthly programs
CULTURAL STORYTIME (3-5 Years)
Celebrate different cultures and support your child’s literacy skills as they explore the world through stories, songs, and rhymes.
JJGL Monday; Oct. 6, Nov. 3; 11:30 a.m.
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MUSIC & MOVEMENT STORYTIME (3-5 Years)
Enjoy a lively and interactive storytime that brings stories to life through books, music, and movement. This fun-filled program encourages imagination, creative expression, and confidence while supporting language development, memory, and social skills.
JJGL Tuesdays; 11:30 a.m.
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BILINGUAL STORYTIME (3-5 Years)
Enhance your child’s vocabulary and language skills in this engaging bilingual storytime where books and songs are in English and Spanish.
JJGL Wednesday; Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5; 11:30 a.m.
LITTLE EXPLORERS (3-5 Years)
Explore the world around us with a STEAM storytime. Children will increase their understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through stories, songs, and hands-on elements.
JJGL Thursdays; 11:30 a.m.
FAMILY STORYTIME (All Ages)
Kick off the weekend with a Library storytime at Old Settler’s Recreation Center! Enjoy enchanting tales, interactive adventures, and shared moments that inspire a love of storytelling.
OSRC Saturdays; 10:30 a.m.
SATURDAY CHESS MEETUP (All Ages)
Practice chess with new friends in a fun environment. All skill levels welcome. This is not an instructional program.
JJGL Saturdays; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
FARMERS MARKET STORYTIME (All Ages)
Stop by the McKinney’s Farmers Market and pop into the old schoolhouse for an old-school storytime.
CS Saturday; Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8; 9 a.m. & 10 a.m.
School Age (K-5th Grade)
weekly programs
MAD SCIENCE
Dive into the worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, where children will explore fascinating topics that encourage curiosity and problem solving.
JJGL Tuesdays; 4:30 p.m.
KIDS ART STUDIO
Explore your creativity with a new art project every week. Participants will use different art materials to build skills and express themselves through drawing, painting, or crafts. No prior experience needed.
JJGL Wednesdays; 4:30 p.m.
AFTERNOON HANGOUT
Meet up with friends and make new ones in this afternoon hangout where activities such as LEGO play, board games, coloring, and more will be provided.
JJGL Thursdays; 2 p.m.
Teens (6th-12th
Grade)
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ART CHALLENGE
Explore endless creativity with no limits. Each month’s challenge lets you unleash your artistic skills and take home something fresh.
JJGL Thursday; Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6; 4:30 p.m.
CROCHET CLUB
Get hooked on a new hobby and learn to crochet. All skill levels welcomed. Crochet materials provided.
JJGL Thursday; Sept. 11, Oct. 9; Nov. 13; 4:30 p.m.
ANIME & ART
Hang out with other anime fans and explore your artistic side with anime-inspired arts and crafts.
JJGL Thursday; Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20; 4:30 p.m.
NERF ATTCK
Grab your blaster and get ready to zoom, swoop, and duck in a wild NERF showdown! It’s a high-energy battle of bouncing darts, sneaky moves, and nonstop fun—are you ready to claim victory?
JJGL Friday, Sept. 26; 6:30 p.m.
TEEN SPOOKTAKULAR
Creep it real at our Teen Spooktacular! Come hang out for a night of spooky crafts, eerie-sistible fun, and Halloween vibes made just for teens.
JJGL Friday, Oct. 24; 6:30 p.m.
ESCAPE ROOM
Step into a wacky time machine adventure. Solve tricky puzzles, crack secret codes, and team up with fellow time travelers to make it back to the present—before you’re stuck in the past forever!
JJGL Friday, Nov. 21; 6:30 p.m.
Adults & Events
Book Clubs & Author Talks
ADULT BOOK CLUB
Join a community of book lovers for conversations about our latest read, book recommendations, and more.
JJGL Wednesday; Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5; 12 p.m.
TRUE CRIME BOOK CLUB
Join us for a thoughtful discussion on thrilling true crime books.
JJGL Wednesday; Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12; 7 p.m.
CLASSICS BOOK CLUB
Enjoy discussion with fellow book lovers as we read a timeless book each month.
JJGL Sunday; Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16; 2 p.m.
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David Huntley SA
SURVIVING WORLD WAR II
Join us for a compelling journey through World War II as local author David Huntley recounts his firsthand experience of surviving The Blitz and witnessing a US B-17 bomber crash. Huntley will also delve into the narrative of his late wife’s life under Nazi occupation in France.
JJGL Thursday, Nov. 6; 7 p.m.
David Nos
LOCAL LIT: DAVID NOS
Join local author David Nos for a presentation on what it takes to be an author, insights on self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and how to market your book. David will also read a selection from his Kordan The Wizard series and sign books.
JJGL Saturday, Sept. 6; 11 a.m.
Arts & Culture
CREATIVE ARTS STUDIO (Ages 13 +)
Explore new art techniques, gain confidence in your artistic abilities, and gain insight into the historical, cultural, and contemporary significance of various art forms.
JJGL Tuesday; Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11; 7 p.m.
CREATIVE WRITERS WORKSHOP
Serious writers of all abilities are welcome in this community-driven group. Whether you’re a blogger, fiction writer, playwright, or poet, you’ll find support and collaboration in every stage of your writing journey.
JJGL Wednesday; Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12; 1-2:30 p.m.
Business & Online Learning
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SMALL BUSINESS MASTERCLASS
Get advice about starting and growing your own business and see how small business owners can empower and improve their communities. Presented by SCORE.
JJGL Tuesday; Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4; 7 p.m.
With a library card you have access to Udemy, one of the best on-demand training platforms for critical workplace skills and technical training. Training is self-paced and available on your own personal device! Visit McKinneyPublicLibrary.org/Udemy to get started.
Learn in-demand skills with over 16,000+ online business, creative, and tech courses taught by real-world professionals who are passionate about teaching.
Visit McKinneyPublicLibrary.org/LinkedIn to get started.
Genealogy & Local History
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GENEALOGY OFFICE HOURS
Get individualized support for your genealogy needs from our partners at the North Collin County Genealogical Society.
JJGL Sunday; Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2; 1-3 p.m.
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GENEALOGY RESEARCH DAY
Meet and learn with other local history and genealogy enthusiasts through in-person discussions, and genealogy webinars. Hosted in partnership with the North Collin County Genealogical Society and Genealogy Network of Texas. Check our website for more details.
JJGL Friday, Oct. 17; 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
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COMMUNITY PLANNING B.C.: BEFORE CARS
Explore the fascinating history of urban development in this engaging one-hour presentation by McKinney’s Planning Team. Learn how human settlements were thoughtfully designed through various eras—long before cars reshaped the way we build our cities.
JJGL Thursday, Oct. 16; 7 p.m.
GROW: Gardening, Resilience, Outdoors, & Wildlife
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GARDENING IN SMALL SPACES
Interested in gardening but don’t have a yard?
There are plants for that! Presented by the Office of Environmental Sustainability, learn how to grow plants that can thrive on patios or balconies, including plant and container selection, soil selection, and how to treat common container plant pests and bring a little garden to life!
MPAC Thursday; Sept. 4; 7 p.m.
JJGL Sunday; Sept. 21; 11 a.m.
BREATHE EASY MCKINNEY: CLEAN AIR & COMMUTING
Explore how vehicle emissions impact air quality and public health in North Texas and learn what you can do to make a difference. This program will cover major pollution sources, smart commuting choices, air quality tracking tools, and local initiatives like Ozone Action Days and No Idling Zones.
JJGL Saturday, Sept. 13; 2 p.m.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
September is National Preparedness Month, so get ready with us as we learn about different hazards, how to create an emergency plan, and how to create an emergency supply kit.
JJGL Tuesday, Sept. 23; 7 p.m.
BEGINNING BIRDING
Curious about birding and don’t know where to start? Come learn the basics of bird identification and birding in your backyard. Discover the best birding locations, what to wear, and how to attract birds to your own yard and have fun! Presented by the Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society.
JJGL Saturday, Sept. 27; 11:30 a.m.
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
Learn the basics of bird photography in this presentation by the Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society.
JJGL Saturday, Oct. 18; 11:30 a.m.
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STARTING NATIVE PLANTS FROM SEED
Join us for a hands-on program where you’ll learn to identify Texas native plants ideal for home propagation and discover step-by-step techniques for starting seeds indoors or out. We’ll also explore how planting Texas native plants at home supports local ecosystems and promotes biodiversity.
JJGL Wednesday, Oct. 1; 7 p.m.
OSRC Wednesday, Oct. 22; 7 p.m.
MONARCHS IN MCKINNEY
Texas is an important flyway for monarch butterflies in both spring and fall. This program will cover the migration path and lifecycle of monarchs, threats to monarch populations, and ways you can support monarchs through gardening and advocacy.
MPAC Thursday, Oct. 9; 7 p.m.
BRANCHING OUT: MCKINNEY TREES
Discover the vital role trees play in our suburban environment as you learn to identify native and adaptive species suited to North Texas. This library program will cover tips on planting, pruning, and maintenance, while exploring the environmental and economic benefits trees bring to our communities.
MPAC Saturday, Nov. 1; 11 a.m.
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LIGHTS OUT, BIRDS IN
Millions of birds migrate through Texas each spring and fall, many at night, and artificial light can negatively impact these birds. Find out about the Lights Out initiative and actions you can take to help these birds migrate more safely.
JJGL Sunday, Nov. 2; 11 a.m.
City Hall Tuesday, Nov. 18; 7 p.m.
DEMYSTIFYING WASTE & RECYCLING RIGHT
Join us to explore what happens to the materials we throw away and learn how to recycle properly, reduce waste, and take meaningful action for a cleaner environment. This program will also highlight City services for waste management and offer tips for residents in multifamily buildings to advocate for better recycling access.
JJGL Thursday, Nov. 13; 7 p.m.
City Hall Saturday, Nov. 15; 11 a.m.
Special Events
FIRE SAFETY DAY
Enjoy fun and educational activities with the McKinney Fire Department. Explore a fire truck or ambulance, learn fire safety tips from your local firefighters, and more!
JJGL Saturday, Oct. 4; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
HALLOWEEN HAUNT
Grab your costumes and join us for a ghoulish good time! Hang out with the library’s friendly ghosts, play pumpkin games, enjoy witchy activities, and more not-so-scary Halloween fun at this family-friendly event.
JJGL Saturday, Oct. 25; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
THANKS & GIVING
Celebrate Thanksgiving at the library as we craft silly turkeys, design greeting cards for friends and family, and share thanks with one another.
JJGL Tuesday, Nov. 25; 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Food Drive: Nov. 1-30
Check out eBooks and eAudiobooks with cloudLibrary
Check out ebooks and eAudiobooks with cloudLibrary
Download the app
Download the app
From the Apple App Store, Google Play or install the cloudLibrary App for Windows PC or Mac OS X.
From the Apple App Store, Google Play or install cloudLibrary App for Windows PC or Mac OS
Log into your library
The first time using the app, select McKinney Public Library System and log in with your 14 digit library card number and your PIN/password.
Log into your library
Browse and Borrow
Please contact the library for assistance or check McKinneyPublicLibrary.org/eBooks. Check out eBooks and eAudiobooks with cloudLibrary
The first time using the app, select McKinney Public Library System and log in with your 14 digit library number and your PIN/password.
Browse and Borrow
Please contact the library for assistance or check McKinneyPublicLibrary.org/eBooks.
JJGL John & Judy Gay Library
The McKinney Public Library’s programs and events are free, but space is limited. For groups larger than ten, please call 972-547-7323.
» In the event of a waitlist, ticket holders who arrive more than five minutes late will lose their tickets. The tickets will then go to the next patron on the waitlist.
» Depending upon the program presenter, entry into programs past the start time may not be allowed.
To register, visit McKinneyPublicLibrary.org/Register.
