The Turlock Library will offer a variety of events open to the community in the month of February, which aim to foster literacy and inspire learners of all ages.
Independent readers up to age 12 are invited to practice their reading skills with the special Read to a Dog program at 12 noon today at the Turlock Library. This program is designed to help children gain confidence in their reading skills by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Space is limited and online registration is required.
A T(w)een Tuesday event will be held at 4 p.m. Feb. 4. Participants can come to the Turlock Maker Space and learn to build a paper circuit. Then, use their circuit to create a lighted pop-up card. All materials will be provided. This program is designed for ages 9 and up. Children 8 years and younger can come to the library at 4 p.m. Feb. 4 to design Valentine’s Day cards for friends and family. All ages are welcome, but children under 4 must have direct supervision from parents or adult guardians.
The AARP Foundation will hold free tax preparation assistance from IRS-trained volunteers from noon to 3 p.m. every Wednesday in February, starting Feb. 5. Walk-ins are welcome, as there is not an option for advance registration.
The library will host Turlock Pokémon Day from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 5. Come to the library to meet others who share your passion for Pokémon. Hang out and feel free to trade or battle on your Nintendo Switch, bring your trading cards for a friendly game, hunt for shinies in Pokémon GO, and more. All ages welcome; children 4 and under must have direct adult supervision.
The Friends of the Turlock Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5. Newcomers are welcome.
The Mystery Lovers Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 10. This month, the club will discuss “Cruel and Unusual” by Patricia Cornwell. A convicted killer is executed, but his unique fingerprints turn up at another murder scene. Scarpetta's new case threatens both her life and career.
The Turlock Teen Anime Club will meet from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 8. The club will watch “The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today” (TV-PG) and then make a fun craft.
The Mystery Lovers Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 13. This month, the club will discuss “Naked in Death” by J.D. Robb. As NYPD Lt. Eve Dallas races to find a serial killer, she becomes very involved with one of the suspects. Her overpowering feelings for a man she barely knows could jeopardize her investigation, her faith in herself--and her life.
A T(w)een Tuesday event at 4 p.m. Feb. 11 will have participants build LEGO creations and then bring them to life with stop-motion film. This program is designed for ages 9 and older. Children of all ages can come to the library at 4 p.m. Feb. 11 and build LEGO creations using the library’s LEGO and Duplo blocks. This program helps young ones develop critical thinking skills, and teaches basic engineering concepts. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct parental supervision.
A Turlock STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) event at 4 p.m. Feb. 18 will feature sweet molecules. Participants can recreate molecule and DNA structures using candy. Geared for children under 8; children under 4 must have direct adult supervision.
A T(w)een Tuesday event at 4 p.m. Feb. 18 will focus on DNA extraction. DNA contains the chemical instructions for building living things. When we extract DNA from many cells, we can easily visualize it. Participants can extract pumpkin DNA using familiar items.
The Turlock Chess Club will meet at 5 p.m. Feb. 19. Whether you are an amateur, a master, or somewhere between, bring your board to meet and play against others for practice or friendly competition.
The T(w)een Tuesday event at 4 p.m. Feb. 25 will have participants learn how to sew a cozy book sleeve. Materials will be provided. This program is designed for children ages 9 and up. Children of all ages can come to the library at 4 p.m. Feb. 25 and make flipbooks. In this basic introduction to stop-motion animation, children will create animated flipbooks using paper, yarn, pencils, and markers. It is designed for children 8 and younger, but all ages are welcome. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision.
The library will host a Video Game Day starting at 3 p.m. Feb. 26. Participants can meet in the Maker Space for byte-sized video game fun on the Nintendo Switch. For ages 6 and up.
The Master Gardeners will host a spring vegetables class at 6 p.m. Feb. 26. It's time to plan for warm weather. Learn tips for raising tomatoes, corn, squash, basil, eggplant, and peppers in the ground or in containers. Great class for beginning gardeners.
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. For more information, visit https://www.stanislauslibrary.org/ or call (209) 664-8100.
