Local libraries will embrace all things spooky this October, from monster bookmarks to Goosebumps-related crafts and even one Spooktacular Halloween Celebration.
Turlock
Children's activities in October at the Turlock Library will begin with a pumpkin activity day at 4 p.m. Tuesday. There will be a book reading and discussion about pumpkins. Discussion topics will include pumpkin facts and tips on estimating how many seeds are in a pumpkin. The event will conclude with a pumpkin-related activity. Children 4 and under must be supervised by a parent for this activity.
In celebration of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps books and the upcoming theatrical release of the "Goosebumps" movie, the Turlock Library will offer creepy crafts and slimy snacks at 4 p.m. Oct. 13. Children can use their creativity to make a fun bookmark that "eats" the corners of their book with an origami monster bookmark craft at 4 p.m. Oct. 20. Children 4 and under must be supervised by a parent for this event.
The Kids' Book Club will meet at 4 p.m. Oct. 21. Children in grades 4th through 8th are encouraged to bring a book they recently read to discuss with the group. Kids ages 4 through 12 will have the opportunity to build LEGO displays for the library at 4 p.m. Oct. 27. LEGO play helps children develop fine motor skills. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct adult supervision.
A crime prevention specialist from the Turlock Police Department will present an anti-bullying program for parents and their children at 4 p.m. Oct. 28.
A Halloween Preschool Story Time will be held at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Oct. 29. Children are encouraged to wear a non-scary costume. After story time, the Friends of the Turlock Library will host a costume parade inside the library.
For teens and adults in October, the Turlock Library will hold a Book Club meeting at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. This month's selection is "The Sweet Hereafter" by Russell Banks. With the cool logic of accreting snowflakes, Banks builds a world — a small U.S. town near Canada —peopled with four vivid, sensitive souls linked by a school-bus tragedy: the bus driver; the Vietnam vet who was driving behind the bus when it went off the road; the negligence lawyer who tries to shape the victims' heartaches into a winning case; and the beauty-queen cheerleader crippled by the crash, whose testimony will determine everyone's fate. A limited number of copies of the book are available at the library. For more information contact the Turlock Library Reference Desk at 664-8100.
The October 'As Seen on Pinterest' craft will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 and include making a lamp shade that fits over wine glasses. Space is limited for this activity, call 664-8100 to register.
The Turlock Library is located at 550 N. Minaret Ave., in Turlock. For more information, call 209-664-8100.
Denair
Community members are invited to take part in free programs at the Denair Library this month, beginning with the Bookend Overhaul program for teens. Throughout the month, participants can stop by the library to create book themed bookends for the library’s Teen Space.
As Seen on Pinterest will take place in Denair at 1 p.m. Oct. 8. This month participants will make glittered pumpkins. Participants do not need to be familiar with Pinterest to enjoy this program.
Children can enjoy a Goosebumps Spooktacular at 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at 4 p.m., with activities inspired by the Goosebumps book series, such as making “Monster Blood” (green slime) and Grool monster puppets from R.L. Stine’s "It Came from Beneath the Sink." The Goosebumps Spooktacular is sponsored by the Friends of the Denair Library.
Teens can celebrate Teen Read Week Oct. 20 – 24. The library will offer a different “Guess the Book in the Jar” contest and fandom based quiz each day of the week. Those who guess the book or correctly answer the questions on the quiz can win prizes.
Attorney Julie Richardson will review the basics of estate planning, wills and family trusts, including a discussion of all of the documents an individual may need, plus other issues to consider. Richardson will be at the Denair Library at 4 p.m. Oct. 22.
The library will host an informal book club for kids at 4 p.m. Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. Children are invited to bring a book they have read to discuss with a group of their peers. The Kids’ Book Club is designed for children in grades 4 through 8. Snacks will be provided.
Children and their families are invited to trick-or-treat at the library on Oct. 31. Treats will be handed out throughout the day.
Many of these events are sponsored by the Friends of the Denair Library.
The Denair Library is located at 4801 Kersey Rd. in Denair. For more information, contact the Denair Library at 209-634-1283.
Keyes
The Keyes Library will start October events with two guessing games. All ages are invited to guess the number of M&Ms in a jar and the weight of a pumpkin at the library. The closest guess will win a prize. In the event of a tie, the winner will be chosen by a random drawing.
Ages 13 and older can bring a black or dark colored t-shirt to create a seasonal design at the Spooky T-Shirt activity from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 8. Children 12 and under must have parental supervision.
Stop by the library Oct. 12-15 to take a trivia quiz based on the Goosebumps books. All who complete a quiz will be entered into a drawing for two movie theater tickets to see the Goosebumps movie. All are invited to celebrate R.L. Stine’s "The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb" and "The Girl Who Cried Monster" with two fun crafts at 1 p.m. Oct. 14. Children can make a scary mummy and a monster bookmark.
A Spooktacular Halloween Celebration will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 29. Children can trick-or-treat and play pin the smile on the skeleton as well as a Halloween bean bag toss game. Participants can also make Halloween magnets, witch bookmarks, and spiders. Individuals can come in costume, however, costumes are not required.
The Keyes Library is located at 4420 Maud Ave., in Keys. For more information, call 209-664-8006.
Special event in Salida
The Friends of the Salida Library will be holding a Halloween book sale and children's parade on Oct. 31. The book sale will be open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The will be lots holiday, craft, fiction and non-fiction books. Magazines and teaching materials will also be available. Hardback books will be $1, paperback 50 cents and magazines 25 cents.
The children's parade will begin at 1 p.m. and will include a story time, craft and parade through the library.
The Salida Library is located at 4835 Sisk Rd., in Salida.
