September events at the Turlock Library will start with a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Works session on kaleidoscopes at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Following a reading of “City Shapes” by Diana Murray, children will have an opportunity to make a homemade kaleidoscope using paper rolls and colored markers. STEAM Works is designed for children in kindergarten and older; children 4 and under must be supervised by an adult. 

The next meeting of Turlock Library Book Club will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 4. This month's selection is “The Lost Wife,” by Alyson Richman. During the last moments of calm in prewar Prague, Lenka, a young art student, and Josef, who is studying medicine, fall in love. With the promise of a better future, they marry – only to have their dreams shattered by the imminent Nazi invasion. Like so many others, they are torn apart by the currents of war. A limited number of copies are available at the Turlock Library. For further information, call the library at 209-664-8100.

The library will host creative lessons each Wednesday in September for adults. The first will be held Sept. 4 and feature cotton swab art. At 1 p.m. Sept. 11, adults can learn glass staining. Colorful window art will be the craft for Sept. 18 and rock painting will be on Sept 25. All of the adult art classes will be held at 1 p.m.

All are invited to attend the monthly board meeting of the Friends of the Turlock Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month in the library.

The Turlock Teens Talk Books club will meet at 3 p.m. Sept. 7. Join fellow bibliophiles for discussions on their most recent reads.

All are invited to learn how to create their own ocean in a bottle at 4 p.m. Sept. 10. Supplies are included while they last. Children 4 and under must have direct adult supervision.

The Turlock Teen Advisory Board will meet at 4 p.m. Sept. 11. The board provides input on what kinds of programs and activities teens would like the library to provide.  During the hour-long meeting, participants brainstorm and discuss ideas for library activities and services for teens in Turlock. Community service hours are earned by attending meetings and helping with projects. 

Community Connections, presented by Community Hospice, will be held at noon Sept. 12. This class offers a wide variety of practical information for those who are looking to the future, or are caring for a loved one. This month's topic is “Finding Alternative Help: What to do when Caregiving becomes too difficult."  A free lunch will be provided. Advance registration is required; call 209-578-6300 for more information. 

The Mystery Lovers Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 13. This month's selection is “The Cuckoo's Calling,” by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling.). After an injury in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. But then opportunity walks through the door – and he must investigate a supermodel's suicide.

Children can create a watercolor painting in perspective using a horizon line to distinguish the sea from the sky, adding a silhouette of a ship to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day at 4 p.m. Sept. 17.  All ages welcome; children 4 and under must have direct adult supervision.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO displays for the library using the library’s LEGO and LEGO DUPLO blocks at 4 p.m. Sept. 24. LEGO play helps children develop fine motor skills. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct parental supervision.

Visitors to the library on Sept. 25 can read a story to a four-legged friend. From 3 to 4:30 p.m. children can read to a certified therapy dog for 15 minutes. No sign ups necessary. First come, first served. This program gives children a relaxed, non-judgmental atmosphere in which to practice reading aloud. Call 209-664-8100 for more information. For readers up to age 12.  Sponsored by Friends of the Turlock Public Library.

The Turlock Library is located at 550 Minaret Ave. For more information on Turlock Library programs, call 209-664-8100.

Denair

The Denair Library will launch its September events with a manga art drawing class. The library will hold two manga art classes this month from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 3 and Sept. 17. Manga is an art form originated in Japanese graphic novels or comics. All materials will be provided.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO displays for the library using the library’s LEGO and LEGO DUPLO blocks from noon to 6 p.m. every Wednesday in September, starting on Sept. 4. LEGO play helps children develop fine motor skills. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct parental supervision.

The Denair Library will host its Chess Club from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11 and Sept. 25. Participants should bring their own chess boards and pieces for a nice, friendly game of chess. Chess puzzles will also be available to solve. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, all are welcome. These will be unranked, fun games of chess. Come by and meet fellow players, and maybe even make a new friend.

The library will host craft sessions at 4 p.m. every Thursday in September. Children can make a cute kitty puppet out of a paper bag, color paper, and other craft supplies on Sept. 5. Leafy owls will be the project on Sept. 12. Participants will make a wormy apple in honor of the new school year on Sept. 19 and an all-seasons tree will be the project on Sept. 26. All materials will be provided.

The Denair Library is located at 4801 Kersey Rd. For more information on Denair Library programs, call 209-634-1283.

Keyes

The Keyes Library will host three special events in September.

Kids will be able to color and cut their very own animal mask from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 12. There will be several mask templates to choose from.

Families can come to the library from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20 to paint and decorate their own seashell to remind them of the waves and the water. Supplies will be available while they last.

Kids can color a stained-glass themed autumn leaf from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 26. Participants can also color one to be used for the library's autumn season decorations.

The Keyes Library is located at 4420 Maud Ave. in Keyes. For more information about programs at the Keyes Library, call 209-664-8000.