September is “Library Card Sign-Up Month” and Stanislaus County branches invite everyone to celebrate.
With a library card customers have access to thousands of books and materials, digital resources such as downloadable audiobooks, e-books streaming movies and TV, as well as computers and free Wi-Fi. But, some may be unaware of many other great things a library card offers. Library cardholders can check out a California State Library Parks Pass for day use at more than 200 state parks. Discounted or free tickets to museums and cultural attractions are available through Discover and Go, with a library card. A library card even provides access to home connectivity kits, which includes a Chromebook, mouse, head-set with a microphone, hotspot device, as well as power adapters and carrying case.
This is also a great time to give feedback to the library. During the month of September, the library will conduct a customer satisfaction survey, available in English and Spanish. The survey may be completed online at www.stanislauslibrary.org or on paper copies at the library. Both library users and non-users are invited to share their thoughts.
The Turlock Library will host a variety of events in September, starting with a wax resist art class at 4 p.m. Sept. 6. Children will be able to create unique works of art using crayons and watercolors. All ages welcome; children 4 and under must have direct adult supervision.
The Friends of the Turlock Library group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Those interested are invited to come by and support their local library.
Story Time will be held at 11 a.m. every Thursday in September starting Sept. 8. Story Time features books, stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and more! It is designed for children under 5 to participate with their caregivers, but all ages are welcome. Space is limited. Register all people attending (adults, children, and infants) individually at the library’s website.
The Mystery Lovers Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 12. This month’s selection is “The Witch Elm” by Tanya French. Toby is a happy-go-lucky charmer who's dodged a scrape at work and is celebrating with friends when the night takes a turn that will change his life - he surprises two burglars who beat him and leave him for dead. Struggling to recover from his injuries, beginning to understand that he might never be the same man again, he takes refuge at his family's ancestral home to care for his dying uncle Hugo. Then a skull is found in the trunk of an elm tree in the garden - and as detectives close in, Toby is forced to face the possibility that his past may not be what he has always believed.
Visitors to the library at 1 p.m. Sept. 19 are invited to pick up a brush, grab a tray of paint and join in for a fun and creative afternoon. Participants can create their own masterpiece as they follow along with an online tutorial. All painting materials will be provided. Space is limited, and advance sign-ups are required.
Families will have the opportunity to build LEGO creations using the library’s collection of LEGO and Duplo blocks at 4 p.m. Sept. 20. Each family group will receive a small bag of LEGO bricks to create their own sculpture within a 30-minute timeframe. Due to capacity limits, each person must register individually. Participants are limited to 5 per table. Children under 4 are welcome, but must have direct parental supervision.
The University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County will present a workshop on composting at 6 p.m. Sept. 28. Wish you could turn your kitchen and garden waste into "gold?" Want to create your own compost to use in your houseplants and garden? This class will go over the basics of composting and how to have a successful compost pile.
The Turlock Library is located at 550 Minaret Avenue. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and closed Friday and Sunday.
