At the libraries: Activities for kids and adults abound

A weekly glance at the many programs for children and adults offered by the Stanislaus County Library system’s 13 branches. Some programs are ongoing, others are special events and all are free and open to the public:

Knitting and crocheting help for beginners or those needing help with a special project. 3 p.m. Wednesdays. Waterford Library, 324 E St. 209-874-2191.

After Story Time on Thursdays. Music, movement, and sensory play. 10:30 a.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

New and classic picture books, flannelboard and puppet stories, fingerplays, music and dancing, all for preschoolers aged 3-5 and their caregivers. Held regularly at most branches; contact individual branches for dates, times and locales.

Storybooks, lap bounces, music, dancing, rhythm activities, fingerplays and more at programs for babies, active toddlers, and adult caregivers. Held regularly at most branches; contact individual branches for dates, times and locales.

Students ages 13 to 18 will write and share their ideas on fiction, poetry and more. This creatively safe forum will allow teens to explore different types of literature while pursuing their passion for writing. 11 a.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

A basic introduction to computers, including an explanation of the parts of the computer, a tour of Windows, and simple tasks. Advance registration is required. 1:30 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

The game is afoot! Join us on to discuss one of 3 short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Adventure of the Speckled Band.” Recommended for ages 18 and older. Advance registration is required. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

Stay cool this summer by relaxing at the library. Word searches and crossword puzzles will be provided. Open hours. Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road. 209-634-1283.

This workshop will introduce you to the Internet and the World Wide Web and teach you how to search on the Web. Advance registration is required. 10:30 a.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Th book club will discuss “The Book Thief” y Markus Zusak. 11 a.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Celebrate all things Harry Potter with crafts and fun! Ages 5 and up. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Waterford Library, 324 E St. 209-874-2191.

Create something awesome with washi tape. Multiple design ideas and various colors will be available. The craft will be available all evening so teens can drop in and work at their own pace. 3:30 p.m. Newman Library, 1305 Kern St. 209-862-2010.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO displays for the library. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision. 4 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

The book club will discuss the book “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini. 4 p.m. Riverbank Library, 3442 Santa Fe St. 209-869-7008.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO displays for the library. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision. 4 p.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

This program combines gentle and strengthening exercises to help relax the mind, reduce stress, and minimize body aches. Take mat and blanket. 5-6 p.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

This workshop is a continuation of Excel Basics and will teach you additional basic functions of Excel. Advance registration is required. 5 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Create a masterpiece inspired by classic video games. Noon-5 p.m. Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road. 209-634-1283.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO displays for the library. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision. 3:30 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Let your creativity take flight with this paper airplane craft! Books on paper airplanes will be on display and available for use during the program. Once your plane is completed, take it for a test flight to see how far it can fly! All materials will be provided. 4 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

Bring your stuffed animal friend and enjoy an afternoon of fun and games. Your stuffed animals are then invited to spend the night for their very own library slumber party. The stuffed animals will be waiting for you at the library the next morning at 11:30 am. for a special Story Time, during which you are invited to wear your pajamas. 4 p.m. Hughson Library, 2412 3rd St. 209-883-2293.

This workshop teaches you the basics of creating and sending an email. You will need to have created your email account prior to the beginning of class. Advance registration is required. 1:30 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Participants will make art-drawing robots out of everyday items. Advance registration is required, as space is limited. 3 p.m. Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road. 209-634-1283.

Children are invited to participate in a tournament of Olympic themed games and activities. This activity is recommended for ages 4 to 13; however, coloring pages will be available for younger participants. 3:30 p.m. Empire Library, 18 South Abbie St. 209-524-5505.

Join us for a fun party in celebration of the release of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” by J.K. Rowling and Jack Thorne. Participants can make a potion, Winged Keys, and search for Horcruxes. 3:30 p.m. Ceres Library, 2250 Magnolia St. 209-537-8938.

It’s Neville Longbottom’s birthday. Celebrate by creating a variety of sweet magical treats. 2 p.m. Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road. 209-634-1283.

Turn a cupcake into a mouseterpiece. Learn how to decorate a cupcake to look like a beloved Disney character. 10 a.m. Keyes Library, 4420 Maud Ave. 209-664-8006.

A basic introduction to computers, including an explanation of the parts of the computer, a tour of Windows, and simple tasks. Advance registration is required. 10:30 a.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Yoga is a type of mind-body workout that combines stretching and strengthening exercises with deep breathing for relaxation. 11 a.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

Make fun baseball and football bean bags out of fleece. Parents are encouraged to join in the fun and help their small children with this craft. 2 p.m. Riverbank Library, 3442 Santa Fe St. 209-869-7008.

Enjoy this special Story Time featuring new and classic picture books, flannelboard and prop stories, fingerplays, music and dancing for children and their caregivers. The lights will be off for most of this Story Time, and glow sticks will be provided. 4 p.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental illness. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. 5 p.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

The selection for August is “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight” by Alexandra Fuller. 10:30 a.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

Celebrate the Olympics with contests featuring chocolate. Participants will compete in a cookie stack contest, race each other in a chocolate "egg" race, and play other fun games. 1 p.m. Keyes Library, 4420 Maud Ave. 209-664-8006.

Come celebrate with games and a craft or two. 3:30 p.m. Ceres Library, 2250 Magnolia St. 209-537-8938.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO displays for the library. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision. 3:30 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Join us for all-ages games. 3:30 p.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

Participants will use colorful plastic beads to create individual designs. This program promotes creativity and individual expression. Ages 8 and up. 4 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

A basic introduction to computers, including an explanation of the parts of the computer, a tour of Windows, and simple tasks. Advance registration is required. 10:30 a.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

Use pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and other crafty materials to turn your pencils into creatures and other cool stuff. All materials will be provided. All ages; children under 4 must have parental supervision. 3:30 p.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Test your memory with a giant version of a card matching game. Prizes will be given for the most matches found. This game is designed for children ages 4-12, but all children are welcome to participate. 3:30 p.m. Empire Library, 18 South Abbie St. 209-524-5505.

Bring your friends and family to relax at the library with an afternoon of coloring. All ages are welcome. We will provide crayons, colored pencils, and sports themed coloring pages. Noon-4 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO displays for the library. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision. 3 p.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

What is the best tasting root beer? Celebrate National Root Beer Float Day by taking our taste test. You'll have the opportunity to taste and rate several brands of root beer. You'll also learn about the history and production of root beer, as well as test your knowledge of root beer trivia. For ages 12 and up, and registration is required. 1 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

The Summer Olympics are here and the heat is on. This film about Michael "Eddie" Edwards, the British ski-jumper who competed in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, is rated PG-13. Popcorn and other refreshments will be served during the film. 1 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Join fellow bibliophiles for monthly book discussions. 3 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

A basic introduction to computers, including an explanation of the parts of the computer, a tour of Windows, and simple tasks. Advance registration is required. 1:30 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 12:19 PM with the headline "At the libraries: Activities for kids and adults abound."