Visitors to the Turlock Library in February will have a variety of activities to choose from including arts and crafts classes, book clubs for adults and teens and a special spring gardening seminar.

February events will start with free tax preparation assistance from IRS-trained AARP volunteers from noon to 3 p.m. today. This tax aid will also be held from noon to 3 p.m. every Wednesday in February.

The Friends of the Turlock Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. today. Guests are welcome to attend the nonprofit group that supports the Turlock Library by raising supplementary funds, advocating for adequate public library funding and other concerns at the city, county and state level, and by sponsoring special library programs which benefit the Turlock community.

Story Time for children under 5 years will be held at 11 a.m. every Thursday in February. The activity includes books, stories, songs, fingerplays and more.

A crocheting and knitting get-together will be held at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 6. Advanced crafters and beginners are invited to join and learn or share tips and advice with others while enjoying a relaxing morning at the library.

Families can visit the library from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 7 for a Valentine’s Day card crafting event. All ages are welcome; children ages 4 and under must have adult supervision.

The Mystery Lovers Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 13. This month the club will discuss “The First Lady” by James Patterson. Sally Grissom is a top secret service agent in charge of the Presidential Protection team. She knows that something is amiss when she is summoned to a private meeting with the President and his Chief of Staff without any witnesses. But she couldn't have predicted that she'd be forced to take on an investigation surrounding the mysterious disappearance of the First Lady with strict orders to keep it a secret. The First Lady's absence comes in the wake of the scandalous, public revelation of the president's affair, so at first it seems as though she is simply cutting off all contact as she recuperates at a horse farm in Virginia. What begins as an innocent respite quickly reveals itself as a twisted case when the White House receives a ransom note along with the First Lady's finger. As Sally races against the clock to save the First Lady, she discovers evidence that leads to a troubling conclusion: could the First Lady's abductors come from inside the White House?

Community members can sign-up to participate in an open sew event from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 14 and Feb. 28. The library will provide the sewing machines, irons, and sewing tools (measuring tapes, seam rippers, pins, etc.). Individuals will need to be able to work independently on their own projects. Open Sew is designed for ages 14 and older and will be held in the library's Makerspace.

Teens can sign-up to participate in a Stop Motion Lab session that will be held at 4 p.m. Feb. 16. Participants will learn how to create their own film using various equipment and crafts. All materials will be provided. This event is for ages 12-18. Space is limited; advance sign-ups required. For more information, contact the Turlock Library at 209-664-8100.

The February Teen Book Box pick up will be held Feb. 21. Students in grades 6-12 can register for the library’s free teen subscription box. Each box will contain a handpicked recommendation based on the teen’s preferences, treats, and swag. Return the book and box by their due date but keep the treats and swag. Teens can register each month for another exciting box, to be picked up at the Stanislaus County Library location of their choosing.

Children will have to opportunity to work together to build a creation using the library’s collection of soft, blue blocks in a 30 minute timeframe from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21. All ages are welcome; children ages 4 and under must have adult supervision.

It's cold outside, but it's time to start planning your warm-season garden. A spring vegetable gardening class will be taught by Master Gardeners at 6 p.m. Feb. 22.  This class is all about planting tomatoes, corn, summer and winter squash, peppers, eggplants, and more. Learn how to grow vegetable plants in the ground and in containers. Great class for beginning gardeners. 

Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers can enjoy an hour of free play, music, and movement from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Feb. 27. Children must be supervised by parents or adult guardians. 

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.