The libraries of Ceres and Hughson are hosting special events in March designed to foster interest in reading but also offer persons of all ages fun activities aimed at community connection.

STEAM Paper Strip Twist Craft

At 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, the Ceres Library will offer a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) craft session. Children will engineer their own paper strip twist “toys” as they explore the physical properties of paper, such as how twisting changes the paper’s form and function.

Guided Acrylic Painting for Adults

Guided Acrylic Painting for Adults will be offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 7. Explore the world of acrylic painting and follow a prompt guided by a local artist. All materials will be supplied. Registration is required by calling 209-537-8938.

Spring Vegetable Gardening 

Master Gardeners will be at the Ceres Library at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 9 to educate participants on how to plant tomatoes, corn, squash and peppers and fruits like cantaloupe and watermelon. Free seed packets for attendees while supplies last. The session will be led by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County.

Magic Monday: Magic: The Gathering

Teens are invited to play “Magic: The Gathering” at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 9 at the Ceres Library.

No experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided.

Story times

The Ceres Library will offer Story Times at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, March 10, March 17, March 24 and March 31. 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 11 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 a Ceres LEGO Day at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. 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.

‘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, March 14 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, are you seeking adventure? Want to slay a dragon or maybe save a town from a horde of goblins? Come play Dungeons & Dragons at the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 16.

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. 

Crayon Shaving Art

The Friends of the Ceres Library will sponsor a Crayon Shaving Art session at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. Join in as old crayons are shaved down and used to create unique art. Create a design by placing shavings onto the provided art paper, and library staff will use a hot iron to melt the shavings into a final masterpiece.

Upcycled CD Art

An old scratched CD might be trash to some, but patrons will see how they can also be a canvas at this event set for 4 p.m. on Monday, March 23 at the Ceres Library. Participants will paint and decorate CDs to make upcycled art objects. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Ceres Library.

Beginning Gardening for Kids

The Ceres Garden Club will host a talk about bees and how they help in a garden. The talk is geared to kids and will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.

Ceres Game Day

Intended for all ages, Ceres Game Day comes to Ceres at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 30. Bring family and friends to play a wide assortment of games, including chess, Jenga, Sorry!, Connect Four and more.

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 ACTIVITIES

Story times

The Hughson Library will offer Story Times at 10 a.m. today (March 4) and at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays, March 11, March 18 and March. 25. 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 Story Time events will be the 10:30 a.m. “Wee Move & Play.” Join in for a big playdate at the library following Story Time, featuring toys, books, and music for ages 5 and under. Parental supervision is required. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

LEGO Day

The Hughson library will host a special Spring themed LEGO Day from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5. Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO creations using the library’s LEGO and Duplo blocks and will be encouraged to create a clover, flower garden, bunnies, or whatever creation one can imagine. 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.

Origami Workshop

Have you ever wanted to try your folding skills and create origami art? A workshop at the Hughson Library at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10 will allow you to make critters with Hughson Library staff.

Friends of the Hughson Library to meet

The Friends of the Hughson Library invite interested persons to attend their bimonthly meeting, held at the library on the second Thursday of each odd-numbered month. Come by and support your local library at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 12.

Sheep...with Hats!

Young library patrons can learn how to turn pom-pom balls into a sheep keychain at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17. Add a hat to your sheep to complete the look.

Spring Vegetable Gardening

Master Gardeners will be offering a class at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 at the Hughson Library to teach about the planting of tomatoes, corn, squash and peppers and fruits like cantaloupe and watermelon. Free seed packets for attendees while supplies last. The session will be led by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County.

Vegetable Garden Markers

Master Gardeners will offer a presentation on spring vegetable gardening at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 at the Hughson Library. Participants will have the opportunity to paint rocks to create unique garden markers which is a fun way to label plants as they grow.

Design an Apron

Get creative and paint a fun, unique apron to wear at home or show off at the next library craft at this event at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 at the Hughson Library. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

UNO Night

Join the Hughson Library community for a fun, fast-paced UNO night for teens and adults at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 26. Play, laugh, and enjoy some friendly competition at this game time.

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).

Virtual Book Club

”The Bletchley Riddle” authored by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin is the novel featured in the March Virtual Book Club for Adults. The virtual discussion is set to take place at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25. Registration is required. The library has a limited number of copies available for checkout so check with a local branch to reserve a copy.

The book takes place in the summer of 1940 and centers on siblings 19-year-old Jakob Novis and his quirky younger sister, Lizzie, who share a love of riddles and puzzles. Now they’re living inside of one. The quarrelsome siblings find themselves amid one of the greatest secrets of World War II — Britain’s eccentric codebreaking factory at Bletchley Park. As Jakob joins Bletchley’s top minds to crack the Nazi's Enigma cipher, 14-year-old Lizzie embarks on a mission to solve the mysterious disappearance of their mother. Could the riddles of Enigma and their mother's disappearance be connected