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

CERES LIBRARY

Story times

The Ceres Library will offer Story Times at 10:30 a.m. on all Tuesdays in August. 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 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.

Paper Clip Flower Sculptures

Come to the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, to use paint, craft supplies, and imaginations to turn paper clips into flower petals.

‘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, August 8 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.

Fall Vegetable Gardening

A Master Gardener will teach how to plant a cool-season garden with leafy greens, root vegetables, peas, and broccoli at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10 so you can enjoy fresh produce through fall and winter. Free seed packets for attendees while supplies last.

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, August 10.

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.

Zine Making

Join the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11 to make a zine, a self-published booklet made from one or two pieces of paper that can include text, images, artwork, found objects, or any other creative material that best helps convey your ideas. Those ideas can include anything from sharing information about something you’re passionate about to personal musings, comics, song lyrics, etc. This program is intended for ages 18 and up.

The event is sponsored by Friends of the Ceres Library.

LEGO Day

The Ceres library will host Ceres LEGO Days at 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 13. 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.

Mini Clay Sculptures

At 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17 at the Ceres Library, participants will make mini sculptures using air-dry clay. What will you make? This event is sponsored by Friends of the Ceres Library.

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.

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

LEGO Animal Edition

The Hughson library will host Hughson LEGO Day: Summer Edition at 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 6. Children will have the opportunity to build a habitat for an animal. You can make habitats for animals that live in the ocean, desert, rainforest, grassland, or wherever you 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.

Torn Paper Landscape

Come down to the Hughson Library at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11 to experiment with paper textures and combine them into a unique piece of art.

Hughson Money Smart Week

At 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, kids will learn how to count coins, earn money, and set financial goals with a representative from the local Hughson BMO Bank.

Fall Vegetable Gardening

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 15 the Hughson Library will bring in a master gardener to teach how to plant a cool-season garden with leafy greens, root vegetables, peas, and broccoli so you can enjoy fresh produce through fall and winter. Free seed packets for attendees while supplies last.

Bookmark Embroidery

Stick around after the Master Gardener’s presentation to learn how to embroider your own bookmark at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 15.

Back-to-School Button Making

Students are invited to the Hughson Library at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18 to decorate a backpack with a button or keychain.

Illuminating Jellyfish

Adults and teens are invited to come to the Hughson Library at 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 20 to design glowing jellyfish lanterns.

Trivia Night

Hughson Library will host Trivia Night at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25 so team up for the ultimate trivia test.

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).