Library Calendar
      March

Children's Calendar
      March

3rd Thursday Art Walk
Book Club in a Box  
Salida Library Book Club
Stanislaus County Library Book Club
Caregiver Wednesdays
Family Game Day
Author Spotlight
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at local libraries
Family Game Night
Census Questionnaire Assistance Program
Friends of the Newman Library Book Sale
Friends of the Salida Library Book Sale
Friends of the Patterson Library Book Sale
Estate Planning Seminars
Knitting Class

3rd Thursday Art Walk
Where: Modesto Library
When: 3rd Thursday of every month
           5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

The Modesto Library is now a stop on the Downtown Modesto's 3rd Thursday Art Walk. Each month we will feature a different artist in our area. Join us on Thursday, March 18. For more information please contact Vicki Salinas at the Modesto Library Reference Department at (209)558-7814 or visit the Modesto Art Walk website.

Book Club in a Box
Where: all library branches
When: Ongoing

Community and Library book clubs can now borrow a set of one title to use in their book club discussions. Contact any branch for the list or view the list on our website under "Readers Corner." You must have a library card to check out the set of books. We do ask that requests are made at least 3 weeks before you need to distribute the book to your members. Because of the high interest in this service, please include 2 alternative titles. Book clubs can be an excellent way to enjoy books more and challenge your mind, and they can also encourage you to read more, or to read books that you might not normally choose.

Salida Library Bookclub
Where: Salida Library
When: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
           10:00 a.m.

We will be discussing Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. For more information and to obtain a copy of the book, contact Diane at 543-7315. Bookclubs allow community members to expand their knowledge of books and other reading material through meaningful discussions with others.

Family Movie Night
Where: Salida Library
When:  Tuesday, March 16
            6:00 p.m.

Come enjoy an evening with the leprechauns watching a great family film! Library books will be available to browse and to check out. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Salida Library.

Stanislaus County Library Book Club
Where: Modesto Library Conference Room
When:  Wednesday, March 17, 2010
            7:00 p.m.

Come join us as we discuss The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. We will also be passing out the book for April.  Refreshments provided. For more information please contact Modesto Library Reference at 558-7814.

Caregiver Wednesdays
Where: Modesto Library Auditorium
When:  4th Wednesday of each month
            6:30 p.m.

The Stanislaus County Library and Community Hospice will be presenting a series of five presentations for family caregivers.

January 27 - How to take care of a loved one at home
February 24 - Financial resources for seniors on a fixed income
March 24 - Hospice in end-of-life decisions
April 28 - Dementia and caregiving
May 26 - Advance healthcare directives

Refreshments will be provided. For more information or to register for this presentation, contact Modesto Library Reference at 558-7814.

Author Spotlight
Where: Salida Regional Library Community Room
When: Saturday, March 20
             2:00 p.m.

The Stanislaus County Library Foundation's Author Spotlight shines March 20 on historical novelist Christi Phillips. Ms. Phillips, the first guest author for the Foundation's Author Spotlight series, is the author of two historical novels, The Rossetti Letter and The Devlin Diary. Even if you haven't read her books, you will enjoy listening to her. She loves Europe, historical research and libraries. 

The event is free and reservations are not needed. For more information on the event or the foundation, call 209-529-1517 or visit www.stanislauslibraryfoundation.org. The Foundation raises funds and friends for all 13 branches of the Stanislaus County Library system.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at local libraries

Free income tax assistance is available at libraries in Oakdale, Riverbank and Waterford this year, thanks to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service.Volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS. This free service is available to anyone, but priority will be given to low income residents and senior citizens.

Volunteers will provide assistance February 1 through April 14:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Oakdale Library, 151 South First Ave.
• Wednesdays, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Riverbank Library, 3442 Santa Fe
• February 2, March 2 and April 6, 3 to 5 p.m., at the Waterford Library, 324 E St.

VITA volunteers will prepare Forms 1040 EZ, 1040A, 2441, 8863, and 8812. They do not prepare Schedules C, D, E and certain other forms. In addition, they will e-file tax returns for those they assist.

For more information, please contact the Oakdale Library at 847-4204, the Riverbank Library at 869-7008 or the Waterford Library at 874-2191.

Family Game Night
Where: Keyes Library
When: Thursday, April 1
            4:30-6:30 p.m.

Come bring the whole family to play a variety of board games. Families will have an opportunity to browse the Keyes material collection and check books out.

Friends of the Newman Library Book Sale
Where: Newman Library Parking Lot
When: March 12-13, 2010
            10:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m.

Come support your library at our used booksale in the library parking lot. There will be some great bargains! Proceeds go to fill library needs including programs for children, books, and other materials for the collection.

Friends of the Patterson Library Book Sale
Where: Patterson Library
When: Wednesday, March 24 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Friday, March 26 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Monday, March 27 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Theme:  'Readers Become Leaders'

We are accepting donations of books, CD's, videos, music sheets, and even posters for the book sale. Items are accepted during library open hours throughout the year. Donations are tax deductible. Ask for your receipt!

Come visit with Friends on the Westside! Enjoy the Book Sale and our City! 

Friends of the Salida Library Book Sale
Where: Nick W. Blom Salida Regional Library Community Room
When: Thursday, March 11 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
            Saturday, March 13 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Come browse the books for sale. You will find some great bargains! Proceeds go to fill library needs including programs for children, books, and other materials for the collection.

Census Questionnaire Assistance Program

Census 2010 Assistance will be available at the Ceres and Newman Libraries from March 19 - April 19, 2010. See the schedule below for dates and times for each location.

The purpose is to assistance individuals who:
- do not understand how to complete the questionnaire they received.
- need language assistance to respond to questionnaire information.
- have questions about the 2010 census.
- need a questionnaire because they did not receive one.

• Ceres Library
  Mondays: March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19 from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  Wednesdays: March 24, 31, April 7, 14 from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.
  Saturdays: March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17 from Noon. - 5 p.m.
• Newman Library
  March 19 - April 19
  Thursdays and Fridays only from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Estate Planning Seminars

Find out how to pass your estate to your heirs, while reducing expenses, taxes, hassles and delays. The Stanislaus County Library Foundation will offer an Estate Planning Seminar at the following libraries:

• Turlock Library Wednesday, March 31 from 6:00-7:45 p.m.
• Riverbank Library, Wednesday, April 21 from 6:00-7:45 p.m.
• Oakdale Library, Thursday, Apirl 29 from 6:00-7:45 p.m.

Topics covered will include wills and trusts, joint tenancy, advanced health care directives and financial powers of attorney, protecting children from former marriages, providing for minor children and estate taxes. Attorney Gina Leguria, a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, will present the seminar in clear and understandable terms, with a question and answer session following the presentation.

This Estate Planning Seminar is offered free of charge, as a community service, by the Stanislaus County Library Foundation.  To reserve a seat or for more information about the Stanislaus County Library Foundation, please call 558-7801.

Free Knitting and Crochet Classes
Where: Waterford Library
When:  Wednesdays 
            3:00 p.m.

Knitting and crocheting are a blast.  Check out all the cool stuff you can make.