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Lots of fun, informative events taking place at local library in July
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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 July. 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.

Torn Paper Portrait

Turn mess into art at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 2. Participants will tear up colored construction paper and craft paper and use those torn pages to make a portrait.

Magic Monday: Magic: The Gathering

Teens, want to learn to play Magic: The Gathering? Already know and need a place to play? Join the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, July 6. No experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Ceres Library.

Friends of the Ceres

Library to meet

The Friends of the Ceres Library invite interested persons to attend their quarterly meeting on the second Wednesday of each quarter. Come by and support your local library at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8 at the Ceres Library.

LEGO Day

The library will host Ceres LEGO Days at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 9. 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, July 11 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.

Plant Propagation with the Master Gardeners

At 1 p.m. on Monday, July 13, turn one plant into many by learning simple ways to take cuttings, divide plants, and propagate favorites to grow and share. The event will be sponsored by UCCE Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County .

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, July 13.

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.

Tape Resist Art

Join the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 16

as we place tape on craft paper and then color on top of the paper. How will your artwork look when we remove the tape? The event is sponsored by Friends of the Ceres Library.

Ceres Money Smart Week

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, kids will learn basic financial literacy skills such as the value of money and budgeting, all while getting free Back-to-School supplies at the Ceres Library. Children and teens will receive pretend “play” money at the start of the program to purchase supplies such as backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and more, while supplies last.

Ceres Diggery Digger’s Dino Adventure

Diggery Digger’s Dino Adventure set for 4 p.m. on Monday, July 20, includes large interactive animated characters, dinosaur bones, a giant dinosaur egg, and beautiful puppets.

Combined with intriguing magic and rocking music, this is the Story Ship’s most memorable adventure. Audience members will interact with animated dinosaurs, help solve puzzles, and dance. They will help stop the dinosaur invasion.

Bean Art

At a special craft session set for 4 p.m. on Monday, July 20, participants may arrange and glue different colors and shapes of uncooked beans onto a canvas to make unique art.

Ceres Read, Grow, Explore with the Stanislaus Farm Bureau

Children may join the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, as the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau introduces youth to agriculture through engaging children’s books and hands-on activities that spark curiosity, inspire learning, and help participants connect with our vibrant agricultural community.

Beginning Gardening for Kids: Finding Helpful Weeds in Nature

Not all weeds are bad! Join the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on

Thursday, July 23 for a fun presentation that will change the way kids think about weeds. The program will be presented by Master Gardener Manjeet Dosanjh.

Ceres Game Day

Bring family and friends to play a wide assortment of games, including chess, Jenga, Sorry!, Connect Four, and much more at 4 p.m. on Monday, July 27. This event is intended for all ages.

Foil Painting

For a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math (STEAM) craft activity set for 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, participants will use foil is a craft, to explore how paint flows and dries on this slick surface. 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

Story times

The Hughson Library will offer Story Times at 10 a.m. on all Wednesdays in July. 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 Hughson library will host Hughson LEGO Day: Summer Edition at 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2. 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.

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 Hughson Library from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, July 9.

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.

Discover Ghana: Kente Cloth Weaving

At a special craft session set for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 at Hughson Library, families can create a paper Kente cloth while exploring color, pattern, and the meanings behind the traditional African designs.

Hughson Money Smart Week

At 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, kids will learn basic financial literacy skills such as the value of money and budgeting, all while getting free Back-to-School supplies at the Hughson Library. Children and teens will receive pretend “play” money at the start of the program to purchase supplies such as backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and more, while supplies last.

Plant Propagation

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, turn one plant into many by learning simple ways to take cuttings, divide plants, and propagate favorites to grow and share. The Hughson library event will be sponsored by UCCE Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County .

Diamond Painting

Show up at the Hughson Library at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 18 to join in the fun new hobby of “painting” by numbers with sparkly crystals.

Diggery Digger’s Dino Adventure

Hughson Diggery Digger’s Dino Adventure set for 4 p.m. on Monday, July 21, includes large interactive animated characters, dinosaur bones, a giant dinosaur egg, and beautiful puppets.

Combined with intriguing magic and rocking music, this is the Story Ship’s most memorable adventure. Audience members will interact with animated dinosaurs, help solve puzzles, and dance. They will help stop the dinosaur invasion. Sponsored by Stanislaus Library Foundation .

Pictionary & Charades

Bring the family to the Hughson Library for an afternoon of creativity and friendly competition at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 23.

Discover Peru: Yarn Llamas

The Hughson Library will offer a craft session at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28 to make furry llama out of yarn while learning about these furry creatures that inhabit the Andes mountains.

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 Saturday, July 4.