The Ceres and Hughson library branches are hosting special events designed to foster interest in reading but also offer persons of all ages fun activities aimed at community connection.
Beginning Gardening for Kids: Rock Painting
Bring a friend to the Ceres Library to paint rocks, a wonderful way to add color to a yard or garden. The program will be presented by Master Gardener Manjeet Dosanjh at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Manga Book Club For Teens
Looking for a new way to explore manga? Join the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31 for its Manga Book Club for Teens. Manga are comic books and graphic novels that originate from Japan. Whether you’re a seasoned manga reader or want to try something new, this is a chill, welcoming space to share your thoughts and favorite moments from the manga, make friends, and enjoy snacks.
This month the discussion will focus on Delicious in Dungeon vol. 1 by Ryoko Kui. The library will have a limited number of copies available to borrow during August.
Summary: When young adventurer Laios and his company are attacked and soundly thrashed by a dragon deep in a dungeon, the party loses all its money and provisions...and a member! They’re eager to go back and save her, but there is just one problem: If they set out with no food or coin to speak of, they’re sure to starve on the way. But Laios comes up with a brilliant idea: “Let’s eat the monsters!” Slimes, basilisks, and even dragons...none are safe from the appetites of these dungeon-crawling gourmands!
The event is sponsored by Friends of the Ceres Library.
Story Times & Wee Play
The month of September begins with the Ceres library’s regular Ceres Story Time on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Story Time is geared toward children under five and their caregivers, featuring books, songs, finger plays and rhymes. Following Story Time, children can participate in Wee Move & Play at 11 a.m.— a half-hour of music, movement and unstructured play designed to let young children socialize and explore. These programs are scheduled Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.
Paper Car Creations
For children who enjoy making things, September offers several hands-on activities. On Thursday, Sept. 3 at 4 p.m., Paper Car Creations invites children to trace, decorate and assemble their own paper cars.
LEGO Day
The Ceres library will host Ceres LEGO Days at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10. Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO creations using the library’s LEGO and Duplo blocks. This program helps young ones develop critical thinking skills, and teaches basic engineering concepts. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct parental supervision.
Friends of Library to meet
On Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m., the Friends of the Ceres Library will hold its monthly meeting. The Friends welcome new members who would like to learn about supporting the local library and its programs.
‘Read to a Dog’
Independent readers up to age 12 are invited to practice their reading skills with the “Read to a Dog” program at 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Ceres Library. This program is designed to help children gain confidence in their reading skills by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Register in-person at the Ceres Library or call 209-537-8938 as space is limited.
Dungeons & Dragons for Teens
Teens seeking adventure may want to slay a dragon or maybe save a town from a horde of goblins when they play Dungeons & Dragons at the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14.
Players will learn team-building and problem-solving skills while engaging their imaginations in a safe, collaborative environment. Participants aged 13 to 18 need not provide anything but an open mind and a quest for fun.
Beautiful Bulbs
A special gardening program, Beautiful Bulbs is scheduled at Ceres Library at 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, presented by the UC Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County. It focuses on bulbs such as tulips, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and ranunculus, including ways to grow them in containers.
Relief Printmaking for Adults
Registration is required for the Relief Printmaking for Adults activity set for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at the Ceres Library. Join in to create a one-of-a-kind art print using traditional carving methods on a linoleum rubber block. Paper, ink, and basic tools will be provided.
Yarn-Wrapped Cardboard Art
On Thursday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m., children can get creative with Yarn-Wrapped Cardboard Art, turning pieces of cardboard into pet shapes and wrapping them in colorful yarn.
Sticky Yarn Painting
Participants may show up at the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21 to create art by placing various lengths of colored yarn on clear adhesive paper.
Grape Vine Wreaths
Gardening gets a turn on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. with Beginning Gardening for Kids: Grape Vine Wreaths. Children will make and decorate wreaths from grape vines, with the program presented by Master Gardener Manjeet Dosanjh. Materials are available while supplies last.
Manga Book Club For Teens
Looking for a new way to explore manga? Join the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28 for the Manga Book Club for Teens. Whether you’re a seasoned manga reader or want to try something new, this is a chill, welcoming space to share your thoughts and favorite moments from the manga, make friends, and enjoy snacks.
This month, the discussion will focus on Fullmetal Alchemist vol. 1 by Hiromu Arakawa. The library will have a limited number of copies available to borrow during September.
Summary: Alchemy: the mystical power to alter the natural world; something between magic, art, and science. When two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, dabbled in this power to grant their dearest wish, one of them lost an arm and a leg and the other became nothing but a soul locked into a body of living steel. Now Edward is an agent of the government, a slave of the military-alchemical complex, using his unique powers to obey orders...even to kill. Except his powers aren’t unique. The world has been ravaged by the abuse of alchemy. And in the pursuit of the ultimate alchemical treasure, the Philosopher’s Stone, their enemies are even more ruthless than they are.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten Celebration
Finally, September closes with a special early-literacy celebration. On Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 11 a.m., Ceres Library hosts 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Celebration in partnership with the Modesto Children’s Museum. The event celebrates the library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program and includes hands-on activities through the museum’s “Start with Art” program. Registration is required and begins August 31.
The Ceres Library is located at 2250 Magnolia Street. Hours are 12 noon to 8 p.m. Mondays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and closed Fridays and Sundays. For more information, visit https://www.stanislauslibrary.org/ or call 209-537-8938.
HUGHSON LIBRARY
Story times
The Hughson Library will offer Story Times at 10 a.m. on all Wednesdays in September. Story Time features books, stories, songs, finger plays, rhymes, and more. It is designed for children under 5 to participate with their caregivers, but all ages are welcome. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Immediately following the four events will be the 10:30 a.m. Wee Move & Play for a half hour of music, movement, and play. Children can enjoy unstructured play while socializing.
LEGO Day
The library will host Hughson LEGO Day: Summer Edition at 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3. Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO design spaceships, droids, rockets, or whatever creation imagined. This program helps young ones develop critical thinking skills, and teaches basic engineering concepts. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct parental supervision.
Hobby Hour
Also on Sept. 3, this time at 11 a.m. the Hughson Library will host Hughson Hobby Hour at 11 a.m. Stop by and explore a variety of hands-on stations at your own pace. Try something new, revisit a favorite hobby, or simply enjoy being in the company of others to enjoy book talks, coloring, yarn crafts, card making, games, and more. This program is designed for adults and seniors. Call 209-883-2293 for more information.
Paint a Tote
Participants are invited to the Hughson Library at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to paint a book bag to celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
On Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m., the Hughson Library hosts 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Celebration in partnership with the Modesto Children’s Museum. Learn more about Stanislaus County Library’s “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program and celebrate with the Modesto Children’s Museum. The event will include fun hands-on activities through the “Start with Art” program from our friends at the Modesto Children’s Museum. Kids will unleash their creativity with watercolors, cardboard construction materials and artist tools. MoChiMu’s “Start with Art” program is designed for ages 3-6. Space is limited and advance registration is required.
For those still working on or about to embark on their 1000-book journey, staff will be on site to help parents with logging and registration. Have a graduate of the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program in your family? Stop by the information table to pick up a completion certificate. Registration is not required to visit the information table.
Beautiful Bulbs
A special gardening program on Beautiful Bulbs is scheduled for the Hughson Library at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. Presented by the UC Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County, it focuses on bulbs such as tulips, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and ranunculus, including ways to grow them in containers.
Stick around after the Master Gardener’s presentation to create beautiful floral artwork with acrylic paint at 3 p.m.
Paper Airplanes
At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, the Hughson Library will host a fun activity of folding, decorating and racing paper airplanes around the library.
Lotería
The Hughson Library will host an afternoon of family fun and friendly Loteria game competition at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24.
Dungeons & Dragons for Teens
Teens in Hughson seeking adventure may want to slay a dragon or maybe save a town from a horde of goblins when they play Dungeons & Dragons at the Hughson Library at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Players will learn team-building and problem-solving skills while engaging their imaginations in a safe, collaborative environment. Participants aged 13 to 18 need not provide anything but an open mind and a quest for fun.
The Hughson library branch is located at 2412-A Third Street in Hughson and is open Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays and Sundays).
All county libraries will close on Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day.
