The New Year kicks off at the Turlock Library with a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Works session on robots at 4 p.m. Jan. 7. After a reading of “Boy + Bot” by Ame Dyckman, children will have an opportunity to design algorithms to instruct a "robot" to stack cups in different patterns, using a set of symbols in place of code. Children will take turns participating as the robot, responding only to the algorithm defined by their peers. STEAM Works is designed for children in kindergarten and older; children 4 and under must be supervised by an adult.

The Turlock Library Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. This month's book club selection is “The Art of Hearing Heartbeats,” by Jan-Philipp Sendker. When a successful New York lawyer suddenly disappears without a trace, neither his wife nor his daughter Julia has any idea where he might be--until they find a love letter he wrote many years ago to a Burmese woman they have never heard about. The Turlock Library Book Club usually meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 am.  Due to the New Year's Day holiday, the book club will meet on the second Wednesday.  A limited number of copies of the book are available at the Turlock Library. Please call the library at 209-664-8100 for further information.

The Mystery Lovers Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 10. This month’s selection will be “Burglars Can't be Choosers,” by Lawrence Block. Bernie Rhodenbarr is a personable chap, a good neighbor, a passable poker player. His chosen profession, however, might not sit well with some. Bernie is a burglar, a good one, effortlessly lifting valuables from the not-so-well-protected abodes of well-to-do New Yorkers like a modern-day Robin Hood. (The poor, as Bernie would be the first to tell you, alas, have nothing worth stealing.) He's not perfect, however; he occasionally makes mistakes. Like accepting a paid assignment from a total stranger to retrieve a particular item from a rich man's apartment. Like still being there when the cops arrive. Like having a freshly slain corpse lying in the next room, and no proof that Bernie isn't the killer. Now he's really got his hands full, having to locate the true perpetrator while somehow eluding the police -- a dirty job indeed, but if Bernie doesn't do it, who will? The Mystery Lovers Book Club meets the second Friday of each month at the Turlock Library.

The library will host a New Year’s themed escape room at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Jan. 11. The New Year is finally here and you're ready for the "new" version of you, however, the list of New Year's resolutions was accidently locked away! In order to break out of your bad habits from 2019 and create a new and improved you, you must get that list! Can you solve all of the puzzles, codes, and challenges in time? This program is designed for ages 18 and older, and sign-ups are required. Call 209-664-8100 to reserve your spot at one of three sessions.

Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak will be the special guest for family story time at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13. There will be stories, music and fingerplays. This program is ideal for 4 - 8 year-olds, however all ages are welcome. 

Great Valley Museum will be in Turlock at 4 p.m. Jan. 14 for a presentation on volcanos. Children will learn about the different types of volcanoes, how volcanoes are formed, and have an opportunity to create their own volcanoes. This program is designed for children in third through sixth grades. Younger children must have direct adult supervision.

There will be an introduction to printmaking in a Fold Me a Print class at 4 p.m. Jan. 21. Children will get an opportunity to experiment with mirror images using tempera paint and cardstock paper. All ages welcome; children 4 and under must have direct adult supervision.

The Environmental Protection Agency is starting a series of environmental programs that will span over five months. The first will be on air pollution and the environment at will be at 4 p.m. Jan. 22. This program has activities for students in preschool through fifth grade. It follows Second Grade Common Core Standards, as well as Next Generation Science Standards, but younger and older grades are welcome to attend. 

The Friends of the Turlock Public Library will be holding their annual book sale Jan. 23 to 25. The book sale is the major fundraiser for the group and helps fund various programs at the library for children, teens and adults. The book sale will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 1600 Arbor Way in Turlock. A members’ only night will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 23 with memberships available at the door. The public sale will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 24 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 25. Prices are $1.00 for hardback and 50 cents for paperback books.

For teens, the library will host the Turlock Teens Talk Books group at 3 p.m. Jan. 4. Teens are encouraged to join other bibliophiles to discuss their newest favorite reads. The Turlock Teen Advisory Board will meet at 4 p.m. Jan. 8. The board provides input on what kinds of programs and activities teens would like the library to provide. During the hour-long meeting, the group brainstorms and discusses ideas for library activities and services for teens in Turlock. Community service hours are earned by attending meetings and helping with projects. 

The Turlock Library is located at 550 Minaret Ave. For more information on Turlock Library programs, call 209-664-8100.

Denair

The Denair Library will celebrate the New Years at 4 p.m. Jan. 2 with a craft day that will see participants making a resolution chain. Create a colorful paper chain to drape in your home to remind you of your 2020 goals and aspirations. Paper in various colors and other supplies will be provided for this craft.

The Drawing Club will meet from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28. This month, Disney characters will be our focus for Drawing Club. Materials will be provided for these events, but feel free to bring your own supplies as well.

Children will have the opportunity to play with LEGO and LEGO DUPLO blocks from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 8, 15, 22, and 29. LEGO play helps children develop fine motor skills. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct parental supervision.

The Denair Library will host its Chess Club from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 8, 15, 22, and 29. Participants should bring their own chess boards and pieces for a nice, friendly game of chess. Chess puzzles will also be available to solve. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, all are welcome. These will be unranked, fun games of chess. Come by and meet fellow players, and maybe even make a new friend.

Three more craft days will be held in January. On Jan. 9, participants can make snowy day paper people. On Jan. 16, the craft will be a magazine collage and on Jan. 23 the craft will be polar bear puppets. All craft days start at 4 p.m. and all materials are provided.

The Denair Library is located at 4801 Kersey Rd. For more information on Denair Library programs, call 209-634-1283.

Keyes

The Keyes Library will help people keep track of their New Year’s resolutions with a resolution board, which the library will help you design anytime from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 17.

Come to the Keyes Library to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Make a paper rat to celebrate the Year of the Rat from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 23.

Create a winter scene on a piece of cardstock paper by using paint and your fingertips at a craft session open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 30.

The Keyes Library is located at 4420 Maud Ave. in Keyes. For more information about programs at the Keyes Library, call 209-664-8000.