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.

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 a.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

All are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Friends of the Oakdale Library. 1:30 p.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Join us for the Friends of the Denair Library Meeting. 11:15 a.m. Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road. 209-634-1283.

This month the book club will discuss “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” by Helen Simonson. 11:30 a.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Be creative with sunflower seeds by decorating paper plates and other materials in this fun summer craft. For ages 5 and up. 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.

Discuss the book “Housekeeping” by Marilynne Robinson. 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.

The Ceres Library is starting a book club for adults. This month we will discuss “The Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline. 11:30-12:30 p.m. Ceres Library, 2250 Magnolia St. 209-537-8938.

Children will have the opportunity to make several different crafts during this program. 1 p.m. Keyes Library, 4420 Maud Ave. 209-664-8006.

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.

Do It Yourself colorful kinetic sand craft. Kinetic sand is good for language development, as well as sensory, creative and imaginative play. Parents and children are invited to attend. This is a drop in activity. Noon-6 p.m. Hughson Library, 2412 3rd St. 209-883-2293.

Teaches 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.

Children will explore balance and center of gravity by creating a custom balancing robot using the paper products and weights provided. Children under the age of 4 will need direct adult supervision. 3:30 p.m. Empire Library, 18 South Abbie St. 209-524-5505.

Make a badge to pin to your backpack. Bring your own favorite picture or pick one of the many we will have available. 3:30 p.m. Ceres Library, 2250 Magnolia St. 209-537-8938.

This month’s STEAM Challenge will focus on art. Participants will create abstract prints using paint and oil pastels. STEAM* Challenge is designed for children 8 and up. 4 p.m. Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road. 209-634-1283.

Join us to test your skills at a variety of fun, challenging, and silly games from the TV show Minute to Win It. Each challenge must be completed in less than a minute. Designed for ages 9 to 12. 4 p.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

Designed to help participants manage falls and increase activity levels. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and shoes for gentle exercise. Light refreshments will be served. For more or to sign up, call Kim Viviano, Master Trainer 209-523-2800. 10 a.m.-noon. 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.

Show how much you love and appreciate your canine friend by making them a chew rope and a chew toy or your cat by making fleece toys. 3-5 p.m. Hughson Library, 2412 3rd St. 209-883-2293.

Instructor Prithika Singh will teach basic crochet techniques that will help you create materials for yourself and others. Please bring your own crochet hooks. Yarn will be provided but you may bring your own. 4 p.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

Can you balance on one leg like a flamingo or arch your back like a cat? Join us for Yoga Play after Bilingual Story Time. 10:45 a.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Join local poet Gary Thomas, Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center (MoSt), and the Modesto Library for the third in a series of poetry workshops. Attendees will create poetry that reflects, interprets, or “dialogues” with a painting, photograph, sculpture or other artistic creation. Open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. 1-3 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Join us for a Healthy Aging presentation for seniors on ways to improve food choices and eat a healthy diet. 10:30 a.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

This story was originally published August 19, 2016 at 3:40 PM with the headline "At the libraries: Activities for kids and adults abound."