It has been more than 20 years since the name Harry Potter was introduced to the worldwide lexicon, but it still remains one of the most popular book series among readers of all ages.

Wednesday marks the fictional birthday for the boy who lived. The Turlock Library will be marking the occasion on Tuesday with a Harry Potter Party that will bring the wizarding world alive with magical studies and fun crafts from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The library will host classes in Herbology, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures.  Before and after classes, participants can obtain wands and visit the children's area for activities such as a photo booth and crafts.  Crafts include bookmarks, creating a mini Monster Book of Monsters and making Patronus buttons, said Turlock Librarian Diane Bartlett.

“We end the day by handing out golden snitches,” Bartlett said.

It’s estimated that close to a half a billion copies of the Harry Potter books have been sold worldwide in 80 different languages. As a franchise it is valued at more than $25 billion.

“I think this series remains of interest because it is the universal story of the underappreciated, unloved and marginalized person who finally comes into his/her own,” Bartlett said.

The Harry Potter Party is the largest event the Turlock library holds each year and is put on through the volunteer efforts and donations from the Friends of the Turlock Public Library and the Teen Advisory Council.

The library program is free and open to the public.