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Hogwarts event, LEGO builds and button making at local libraries
Hogwarts
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will offer Hogwarts Winter Break, a special after-hours event scheduled for Friday at the Modesto Library (Photo contributed).

Local branches of the Stanislaus County Library will offer events for families over the winter school break.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will offer Hogwarts Winter Break, a special after-hours event scheduled for Friday at the Modesto Library. The ticketed Harry Potter-themed event will feature crafts and activities for kids and families.

 “We’re setting the stage for a magical evening for families who would like to walk through the pages of a Harry Potter book,” said Amber O’Brien-Verhulst, library assistant in the Modesto Library Children and Teen Department.

 Guest professors, who are UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners in real life, will present a class in herbology. Participants will learn how to propagate baby spider plants. They’ll be able to take the plants home to continue caring for them and watching them grow.

 Guests are invited to come dressed as a favorite character or show off their house pride, but costumes are not required. Ticket-holders who are traveling incognito as muggles (non-magic people) will also be welcomed to Hogwarts Winter Break.

 Registration is open now at the Modesto Library children’s desk. One ticket will be issued for each family group, while space is available. Advance registration is required for this after-hours program, and families will need to present their ticket for entry at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Modesto Library.

 This event is sponsored by Friends of the Modesto Library and the UCCE Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County. For more information or to sign up for Hogwarts Winter Break, please visit or call the Modesto Library Children and Teen Department at 209-558-7810.

Families will have the opportunity to build LEGO creations using the Turlock Library’s collection of LEGO and Duplo blocks from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Each family group will receive a small bag of LEGO bricks to create their own sculpture within a 30-minute timeframe. Due to capacity limits, each person must to register individually. Participants are limited to five per table. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct parental supervision.

The Denair Library will host a Build It event at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. Children will have the opportunity to build creations with LEGOs, K'NEX, Magnetic Building Tiles, DUPLO and more  that will then be displayed in the library. The library will also offer Build It! challenge cards during the program. 

The Hughson Library will host its LEGO build event from noon to 6 p.m. on Dec. 22.

Teens and tweens are invited to stop by the Turlock Library between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 29 for a button making session. Two button makers of different size will be available in the library’s makerspace. This event is for ages 11 to 18.

For a complete list of library events, visit stanislauslibrary.org.

The Turlock Library is located at 550 N. Minaret Ave. Its 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.

The Denair Library is located at 4801 Kersey Rd. Its hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The Hughson Library is located at 2412 A Third St. Its hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Modesto Library is located at 1500 I St. Its hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.