The Turlock Library will host a variety of events in the month of September aimed at encouraging literacy and expanding knowledge for all ages.

The library will kick off September events with a T(w)een Tuesday event on Fauvist animal paintings at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Fauvism featured bold, unnatural colors and simple shapes in its artwork to reflect emotion. Participants will explore this art form by painting colorful Fauvist-style animals. This program is designed for ages 9-18. Materials will be provided.

An ArtLab session on watercolor and salt will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Kids can create their own watercolor artworks with a scientific twist. After making their design, kids will practice finger dexterity by sprinkling salt onto their creations. This will let them see science in action as the salt absorbs the water and the color with it. This program is aimed at children 8 and younger, but all ages are welcome. Children under 4 must have direct supervision from parents or adult guardians.

The library will host a Pokémon Day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 2. Come and meet others who share your passion for Pokémon. Hang out and feel free to trade or battle on your Nintendo Switch, bring your trading cards for a friendly game, hunt for shinies in Pokémon GO, and more. All ages are welcome. Children under 4 must have direct supervision from parents or adult guardians.

The Friends of the Turlock Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2. All are welcome to join.

Learn more about Stanislaus County Library’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program and celebrate with the Modesto Children’s Museum at 11 a.m. Sept. 4. The event will celebrate the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program, and include fun, hands-on activities through the “Start with Art” program from our friends at the Modesto Children’s Museum. Kids will unleash their creativity with watercolors, cardboard construction materials, and real artist tools. MoChiMu’s “Start with Art” program is designed for ages 3-6. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.
For those still working on or about to embark on their 1000-book journey, staff will be on site to help parents with 1000 Books Before Kindergarten logging and registration. Have a graduate of the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program in your family? Stop by the information table to pick up a completion certificate. Registration is not required to visit the information table.

The Read to a Dog program will be held at 12 p.m. Sept. 5. Independent readers up to age 12 are invited to practice their reading skills and gain confidence by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Register by calling 209-664-8100.

A T(w)een Tuesday event will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 8. Participants can build LEGO creations using the library’s LEGO blocks and bring them to life with stop-motion film. What stories will your creations tell? This program is designed for ages 9 and older.

Younger children will have the opportunity to build LEGO creations using the library’s LEGO and Duplo blocks at 4 p.m. Sept. 8. This program helps young ones develop critical thinking skills and teaches basic engineering concepts. This program is aimed at children 8 and younger, but all ages are welcome. Children under 4 must have direct supervision from parents or adult guardians.

Adults can learn how to turn a simple mason jar into a decorative votive holder for tea lights at 2 p.m. Sept. 12. This event is for ages 18 and up. All materials will be provided.

The Mystery Lovers Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 14. This month, the club will discuss “Beyond Reasonable Doubt” by Robert Dugoni. When Jenna Bernstein, disgraced wunderkind CEO of a controversial biotech company, is accused of murdering her former partner and lover, she turns to Seattle attorney Keera Duggan to defend her. Keera is more than a master chess player who brings her intuitive moves into court--she's Jenna's childhood friend. But considering their history, Keera knows that where Jenna goes, trouble follows.

A T(w)een Tuesday event on constellations will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 15. Participants will create notebooks with glowing constellations on their covers using LED lights connected in paper circuits. This program is designed for ages 9-18. Materials will be provided.
A STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) event on constellations will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 15. Participants can create their own constellations with stickers and chalk. They can use their imagination to connect the stars and invent a one-of-a-kind night sky. This program is designed for children ages 8 and younger, but all ages are welcome. Children under 4 must have direct supervision from parents or adult guardians.

The Turlock Chess Club will meet from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 16. Whether you are an amateur, a master, or somewhere between, bring your board to meet and play against others for practice or friendly competition.

The library will host a Board Game Day from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 19. Community members are invited to join the Central Valley Game Lovers for a day of board gaming. Try a new game or bring your own.

A T(w)een Tuesday event on pin pixel art at 4 p.m. Sept. 22. Pixels, or picture elements, are the small, discrete elements that together make an image. Participants can create their own pixelated images using graph paper, safety pins, and seed beads, then use them to decorate backpacks and other accessories. This program is designed for ages 9-18. Materials will be provided.

The library will host a sticker mosaics craft event at 4 p.m. Sept. 22. Participants can create a colorful mosaic masterpiece using stickers. Kids will explore patterns and creativity in this fun, hands-on craft. This program is designed for ages 8 and younger, but all ages are welcome. Children under 4 must have direct supervision from parents or adult guardians.

The library will host a Video Game Day at 3 p.m. Sept. 23. Participants can join in the Maker Space for byte-sized video game fun on the Nintendo Switch. For ages 8 and up, however, please note that some games may have content suitable for ages 10 and up (rated E10+).

The Master Gardeners will host a lecture about planting bulbs at 6 p.m. Sept. 23. Fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs like tulips, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, ranunculus, and more. No garden space? Discover fun ways to grow bulbs in pots outdoors or even indoors. This event is sponsored by UCCE Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County.

A T(w)een Tuesday tinker event will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 29. Participants can create stop-motion movies, try the button maker, learn to use the toybox printer and 3D pens, or build something with the Make-do tools and cardboard in the library’s Maker Space. This program is designed for ages 9 -18.

The library will host a kids coloring event at 4 p.m. Sept. 29. This program is aimed at children ages 8 and younger, but all ages are welcome. Children under 4 must have direct supervision from parents or adult guardians.

Join the League of Women Voters of Stanislaus County for a nonpartisan, unbiased and educational presentation on upcoming ballot initiatives from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 30.

The Turlock Library is located at 550 Minaret Ave. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit https://www.stanislauslibrary.org/ or call (209) 664-8100.