Local branches of the Stanislaus County Library will host a number of fall-themed craft events, along with book clubs, a visit from the Great Valley Museum and a special escape room activity in the month of November.
Turlock
November events at the Turlock Library will start with a meeting of the Teens Talk Books group at 3 p.m. Saturday. This group allows teens to meet with fellow bibliophiles and discuss their most recent reads.
The next STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Works session will be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 6. After a reading of “Duck for President” by Doreen Cronin, participants will be encouraged to vote for their favorite literary book characters. Real time results will be calculated and graphed as they await the returns. STEAM Works is designed for children in kindergarten and older; children 4 and under must have direct supervision from parents or adult guardians.
The Turlock Library Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 7. This month’s selection is “Cry, the Beloved Country” by Alan Paton. “Cry, the Beloved Country” is a beautifully told and profoundly compassionate story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set in the troubled and changing South Africa of the 1940s. The book is written with such keen empathy and understanding that to read it is to share fully in the gravity of the characters' situations. It both touches your heart deeply and inspires a renewed faith in the dignity of mankind. A limited number of copies are available at the Turlock Library. For more information, call the library at 664-8100.
All are invited to attend the monthly board meeting of the Friends of the Turlock Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7.
The Mystery Lovers Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 9. This month’s selection is “The Mourning Hours” by Paula Treick DeBoard. Kirsten Hammarstrom hasn't been home to her tiny corner of rural Wisconsin since the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl rocked the town and shattered her family. Now, years later, a new tragedy forces Kirsten and her siblings to return home and confront the devastating event that shifted the trajectory of their lives.
Children are challenged to “escape” from the Three Bears’ House on Nov. 10. Goldilocks has locked you in the house of the Three Bears. Can you escape before the bears return? Children ages 8 to 12 are invited to find clues and solve puzzles in order to "escape" back to the library. Advance registration is required and space is limited. There will be three sessions to choose from: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Call 209-664-8100 to sign up.
The next session from the Great Valley Museum will be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 13. Participants will have an opportunity to dissect an owl pellet and identify the bones of an owl’s prey, as well as learn about owls and predator/prey relationships. Bone identification charts will be available to assist in the identification process. Designed for children in kindergarten and older. Children 4 and under must have direct supervision from parents or adult guardians.
The Turlock Teen Advisory Board will meet at 4 p.m. Nov. 14. 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.
The next Caregiver College session will be held at noon Nov. 15 and focus on palliative care. A free lunch will be provided. Advance registration is required, call 209-578-6300 for more information.
The Turlock Library will hold a Harry Potter Trivia event at 6 p.m. Nov. 19. Answer questions about the books and the movies. Show your skills and trivia knowledge with family and friends, or take on the challenge solo. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team. Teams are limited to one to four people each. Each team must have at least one player age 13 or older. The Library will be using the free Kahoot! app. All teams must have a smart phone or tablet capable of downloading the app — or have it pre-installed on the device.
An owls and turkeys craft event will be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 20. Participants can make owls and turkeys to celebrate the cool weather and fall season. All ages welcome. Children under 4 must have supervision from parents or adult guardians.
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. Nov. 27. LEGO play helps children develop fine motor skills. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct parental supervision.
The Turlock Library is located at 550 Minaret Ave. For more information on Turlock Library programs, call 209-664-8100.
Denair
November events at the Denair Library will start with a Thankful Leaf Wreath craft at 4 p.m. Thursday. Celebrate this fall season by making a paper leaf wreath with various autumn colors. All paper leaves, paper plate mount, and crafting supplies needed for this project will be provided.
A Crochet for Beginners class will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 3 and 17. Participants can learn basic techniques from a crochet instructor. Please bring your own crochet hooks. Yarn 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 November. LEGO play helps children develop fine motor skills. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct parental supervision.
Children can learn how to make paper bag puppets at 4 p.m. Nov. 8. All the markers, crayons and a wide selection of crafting supplies will be available for this project.
The Denair Library will celebrate its own Turkey Day at 4 p.m. Nov. 15. Turkeys have invaded the Denair Library. Find them for a chance to win a prize. Turkey coloring pages and paper turkey crafts will also be available.
The library will hold a crazy pencil craft day at 4 p.m. Nov. 29. Accessorize a pencil with various craft supplies to create a writing implement masterpiece. Pencils and accessories provided for this craft.
The Denair Library is located at 4801 Kersey Rd. For more information on Denair Library programs, call 209-634-1283.
Keyes
November events at the Keyes Library will begin with a Turkey Thankful Journal craft from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 13. Create a cute turkey journal using paper bags and recycled cereal boxes. Fill the pages with thankful thoughts and other fun activities.
A salt dough leaf painting activity will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 14. Participants can use the beautiful colors of autumn to paint a salt dough leaf keepsake.
Children can use candy and rice cereal treats to build adorable, edible turkeys from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 15. Craft available while supplies last.
The Denair Library will hold a coloring day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 16. Participants can enjoy a relaxing day of coloring Thanksgiving and fall themed activity sheets.
Visitors to the library can get a jump start on the holidays with a gift tag craft from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 30. Participants can create fun and festive gift tags by decorating and cutting out designs from colorful paint sample cards.
The Keyes Library is located at 4420 Maud Ave. in Keyes. For more information about programs at the Keyes Library, call 209-664-8006.
