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

The library will kick off August events with the Read to a Dog program at 12 p.m. Saturday. 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.

An ArtLab event will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 4. In this basic introduction to relief printmaking, children will make stamps out of foam sheets, then use paint to make their prints. Materials will be provided while they last. 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.

A T(w)een Tuesday event on Gyotaku prints will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 4. Gyotaku is the traditional Japanese art of fish printing. Before the invention of cameras, Japanese fisherman kept records of the species and size of their prize catches by covering the fish with a thin layer of paint or ink and pressing the fish against paper. Participants will create their own Gyotaku prints using ink and rubber fish. This program is designed for ages 9-18. Materials will be provided.

The library will host a Pokémon Day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5. 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. Aug. 5. All are welcome to join.

The Mystery Lovers Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 10. This month’s book is “The Mountain King” by Anders De La Motte. Description: After a high-profile kidnapping case goes wrong, criminal inspector Leonore Asker is relegated to the so-called Department of Lost Souls where she, drawn into a peculiar case, one possibly linked to the kidnapping, is led to the darkest recesses of the city where an unusual kind of evil lurks in the shadows.

A T(w)een Tuesday event will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 11. 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. Aug. 11. 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.

The UCCE Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County will hold a session on potting succulents at 11 a.m. Aug. 15. Learn about this plant that grows all over the world, then paint a pot and choose a succulent to plant. Your finished creation can be given as a gift or kept for personal enjoyment. Materials will be provided. This program is designed for ages 18 and up. Pre-registration is required by calling 209-664-8100.

A T(w)een Tuesday event on bugs will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 18. Being a tween means BIG changes — and bugs go through them too. Many backyard bugs have a “tween phase” called metamorphosis, where they eat nonstop, grow super-fast, and transform into their adult form — sometimes even growing wings. The coolest part? You’re both in the middle of an amazing transformation. Get ready to meet the tween bug titans in your backyard and find out how you can help them grow into something extraordinary.

A STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) session on kaleidoscopes will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 18. Kids will have the opportunity to make their own kaleidoscopes and learn about light reflection as they design colorful patterns. 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. Aug. 19. Whether you are an amateur, a master, or somewhere between, bring your board to meet and play against others for practice or friendly competition.

A T(w)een Tuesday event on no-sew pencil cases will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 25. Come join in the Turlock Library Maker Space and make a zippered pencil case. No sewing required. This program is designed for ages 9-18. Materials will be provided.

Children are invited to try dot painting at 4 p.m. Aug. 25. Participants can create unique paintings using cotton balls, cotton swabs, and washable paints. Children will have an opportunity to explore and experiment with a variety of colors with this activity. Dress to make a mess. 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 Video Game Day at 3 p.m. Aug. 26. Participants can join in the Maker Space for byte-sized video game fun on the Nintendo Switch. This activity is for ages 8 and up, however, please note that some games may have content suitable for ages 10 and up (rated E10+).

The UCCE Master Gardeners will lead a discussion on vegetable gardening at 6 p.m. Aug. 26. Learn how to plant a cool-season garden with leafy greens, root vegetables, peas, and broccoli so you can enjoy fresh produce through fall and winter. Free seed packets for attendees while supplies last.

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.