The Ceres and Hughson library branches are hosting special events in October designed to foster interest in reading but also offer persons of all ages fun activities aimed at community connection.
Bilingual Story Times & Wee Play
At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, Bilingual Story Time features books, stories, songs, finger plays, rhymes, and more! Some material is presented in English, while other material is presented in Spanish, allowing for more natural transitions and exposing children to both languages in an inviting environment. 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.
Following will be Wee Move & Play at 11 a.m. — a half-hour of music, movement and unstructured play designed to let young children socialize and explore.
Thumbprint Ghosts craft
Join the Ceres Library on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. to participate in a craft to illustrate haunted mansions on black paper and populate them with ghosts made from thumbprints, making spooky art with a personal touch.
The event is sponsored by Friends of the Ceres Library.
Dungeons & Dragons for Adults
Are you seeking adventure? Want to slay a dragon or maybe save a town from a horde of goblins? Adults 18 and older are invited to come to the Ceres Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, to play Dungeons & Dragons. Players will learn team-building and problem-solving skills while engaging their imaginations in a safe, collaborative environment.
Participants need not bring anything but an open mind and an excitement for fun. No experience is necessary.
Magic Monday: Magic the Gathering
Teens are invited to the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5 to learn to play Magic: The Gathering. Already know and need a place to play? Join the library. No experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Ceres Library.
Ceres Story Times
On Tuesdays, Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 10:30 a.m. during October the Ceres Library will offer Story Time for children under 5 to participate with their caregivers. It features books, stories, songs, finger plays, rhymes, and more. Persons of all ages are welcome.
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ceres Wee Move & Play
Following at 11 a.m. on those Tuesdays are Ceres Wee Move & Play which is a half hour of music, movement and play. Children can enjoy unstructured play while socializing with their peers.
LEGO Day
The Ceres library will host Ceres LEGO Days at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8. 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, Oct. 10 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.
Composting Basics with the Master Gardeners
During this session at 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, discover how easy it is to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost. Learn the basics and get simple tips for building and maintaining a successful compost pile.
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, Oct. 12.
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.
Yarn-Spun Spider web craft
On Thursday, Oct. 15 at 4 p.m., children can get creative with Yarn-Spun Spider webs. Learn about the different kinds of spider webs during this craft, as we make notches in a plate and stretch yarn around it in a spider web pattern.
‘Boo-tastic’ Coasters
In keeping with a Halloween themed month of crafts, families can use acrylic paint to create ghosts on wooden coasters at this special event set for 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19.
Halloween Tote Bag Painting
A special activity intended for ages 18 and older and set for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Ceres Library will allow participants to paint a reusable tote bag and decorate it with a spooky and frightful flair. All materials will be provided courtesy of the Friends of the Ceres Library.
Register ahead of time by calling the library at 209-537-8938.
Beginning Gardening for Kids: Spice is Nice
Master Gardener Manjeet Dosanjh will tell about spices and their many benefits at a special event set for 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22.
Manga Book Club For Teens
Looking for a new way to explore manga? Join the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26 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 The Girl from the Other Side volume 1 by Nagabe. The library will have a limited number of copies available to borrow during October.
Summary: In a land far away, there were two kingdoms: the Outside, where twisted beasts roamed that could curse with a touch, and the Inside, where humans lived in safety and peace. The girl and the beast should never have met, but when they do, a quiet fairytale begins.
This is a story of two people — one human, one inhuman — who linger in the hazy twilight that separates night from day.
The event is sponsored by Friends of the Ceres Library.
Halloween Story Time and Party
A special Story Time will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27 to celebrate Halloween at the library with not-so-spooky tales, songs, and fun. After Story Time, kids are invited to stay for our Halloween party to enjoy a craft, games, and treats. Don’t forget to dress up and/or bring your Halloween spirit.
Make Invisible Ink with Turmeric
In this STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) experiment at the Ceres Library at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, participants will combine turmeric, baking soda and rubbing alcohol to create invisible ink which they can paint with. Then, they will use a decoder solution to reveal their paintings.
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
Hughson Hobby Hour
Adults and seniors are invited to the Hughson Library at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1 to create and connect at Hobby Hour. Stop by the Hughson Library and explore a variety of hands-on stations at your own pace. Try something new, revisit a favorite hobby or enjoy being in the company of others for book talks, coloring, yarn crafts, card making, games and more.
Call 209-883-2293 for more information.
‘Boo-tify’ the Library
At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, get into the Halloween spirit at the Hughson library by creating spooky, silly, and festive Halloween decorations and then help decorate the library for the season.
Story times
The Hughson Library will offer Story Times at 10 a.m. on all Wednesdays in October. 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.
Pumpkin and Sugar Skull Painting
Come celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos at the Hughson Library by painting your own festive creations at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Composting Basics with the Master Gardener
During this session at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, discover how easy it is to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost. Learn the basics and get simple tips for building and maintaining a successful compost pile.
The event is sponsored by UCCE Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County.
Garden Whimsy
Stick around after the Master Gardener’s presentation to make a whimsical creation for your garden using clay and trinkets at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Decorate a Treat Bag
Kids, get ready for Halloween by personalizing your own tote bag at the Hughson Library at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Haunted Party
Join the Hughson Library for a hauntingly good time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Come dressed in your Halloween costume to play games, enjoy crafts and enjoy treats. Persons of all ages are welcome.
Happy Little Spooky Paintings
Teens and adults may celebrate painter Bob Ross’ birthday with a spooky twist at the Hughson Library at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29. Paint a happy monster or creepy creature into a landscape picture. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Hughson Public Library. Bob Ross was born on Oct. 29, 1942 and he died on July 4, 1995 at the age of 52.
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).
