Día 2023

Join us for our springtime celebrations! Contact your local Stanislaus County Library for more details.

  • Ceres Library, April 24-29: Drop in any time during open hours for a free book and craft while supplies last! Special Bilingual Story Time, Tuesday, April 25 at 4 pm.
  • Denair Library, April 17-24: Stop by to pick up free books for kids during open hours, while supplies last.
  • Empire Library, Saturday, April 29, 2-3:30 pm: Free books and crafts will be available while supplies last!
  • Hughson Library, Saturday, April 15, 3:30-5 pm: Bilingual Story Time at 3:30 pm, plus free books and a craft for kids while supplies last!
  • Keyes Library, April 17-24: Free books for kids while supplies last!
  • Modesto Library, Saturday, April 29, 10 am-12 pm: Bilingual Story Time at 10:15 am. Free books and a craft for kids while supplies last!
  • Newman Library, Tuesday, April 25, 3:30-5 pm: Enjoy multicultural crafts and a scavenger hunt. Free books for kids while supplies last!
  • Oakdale Library, April 17-22: Free books for kids while supplies last!
  • Patterson Library, Wednesday, April 26, 3:30-5 pm: Free books and crafts for kids while supplies last!
  • Riverbank Library, Saturday, April 22, 1-3 pm: Bilingual Story Time at 1 pm, plus free books and crafts for kids while supplies last!
  • Salida Library, Saturday, April 15, 10 am-1 pm: Bilingual Story Time at 10 am, plus free books and a craft for kids while supplies last!
  • Turlock Library, Wednesday, April 26, 3 pm: Enjoy a performance by Los Luceros de Osborn folklorico dancers. Free books and a craft while supplies last!
  • Waterford Library, April 24-29: Free books and a craft while supplies last!

El día de los niños/ El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates in the spring time celebrations. Día brings families together and emphasizes the importance of literacy for every child, regardless of linguistic or cultural background. Hundreds of libraries, schools and communities throughout the country will host celebrations and programs. Stanislaus County Libraries join this national effort to honor multiculturalism and stress the importance of books and literacy.

Día is an enhancement of Día de los niños/Children's Day which is held annually on April 30 and began in 1925. Children's Day was designated as a day to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children. In 1996, nationally acclaimed children's book author Pat Mora proposed linking the celebration of childhood and children with literacy to found El día de los niños/ El día de los libros.

To learn more check out the American Library Association's Día website.

Past Día Programs:

2022

Virtual elements and in-person giveaways were combined to celebrate our diverse community! We kicked off our celebration with a virtual Story Time on Facebook. Many locations offered grab-n-go activity kits and free giveaway books provided courtesy of the Stanislaus Library Foundation. The Friends of the Modesto Library provided free books for children visiting the Modesto Library. Book lists with recommendations for further reading were available and each branch and new diverse books were available to check out courtesy of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

2021

Día was held virtually on April 26 through May 1 via our website and social media sites (Facebook & Instagram). Free books were available at each library. Some branches offered curbside pickup for books, crafts, and library information. We hosted a virtual author visit with Robert Liu-Trujillo.

2020

Día was held online April 30, 2020. Stanislaus County Library Storytellers shared their favorite stories in English and Spanish all day long and were available to view for 24 hours.

2019

Each of our thirteen branches offered a “Once upon a Día” themed Bilingual Story Time. Many branches featured local performers and community agencies joined us at a few locations. Snacks, crafts, and FREE books for every child were available at every library.

2018

We were Wild About Books during our 2018 Día celebrations! Each of our thirteen branches offered a Bilingual Story Time featuring two storytellers. Many branches featured local performers and community agencies joined us at a few locations. Snacks, crafts, and FREE books for every child were available at every library.

2017

One world, many rhythms! All thirteen branches participated in Día celebrations in 2017. Each location offered a special Bilingual Story Time, snacks, crafts, and an activity book. Folkloric dancers and other performers were at a few locations. Free new books were given to every child 0 - 18 years old.

2016:  10th Anniversary Celebration!

All thirteen Stanislaus County Library branches celebrated our 10th annual Día celebration! Each library featured a Story Time program and STEAM activity (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). In addition, each child received a commemorative activity book and a free new book, through the Stanislaus READS! Initiative.

2015

Crafts, games, snacks, and free books were offered at all of this years celebrations! Bilingual Story Time and performers added to the festivities at others. Participating branches were: Hughson, Keyes, Modesto, Newman, Oakdale, Patterson, Riverbank, Salida, and Turlock.

2014

World music, Folkloric dancers, and crafts, and a special Bilingual Story Time are some of the many activities were enjoyed by families at the following library branches: Ceres, Patterson, Keyes, Modesto, Salida, Riverbank, and Hughson.

2013

This year many more libraries joined with their own celebrations! Crafts, games, snacks, and books were enjoyed at all of the celebrations. Bilingual Story Time and performers added to the festivities at others. Participating branches were: Empire, Hughson, Modesto, Patterson, Riverbank and Salida.

2012

  • Modesto: Our StoryTellers presented a special Bilingual Story Time, Ballet Folklorico Los Falcones y Xochipilli , crafts, games, snacks, and free books.
  • Riverbank: A special Bilingual Story Time, Ballet Folklorico Dancers from the Cultural Center, crafts, snacks, and free books!
  • Salida: The Nick W. Blom Salida Regional Library celebration featured a Bilingual Story Time, Folkloric Dancers, crafts, book giveaways and snacks.

2011

  • Modesto: Bilingual English/Spanish Story Time, Ballet Folkloric Anahuac, arts, crafts, snacks, and other fun activities were offered. Between Friends of the Modesto Library and California Library Association 100 children were able to take home a free book. A total of 47 volunteers each donated between three to seven hours of their time that day and touched the lives of over 600 families!
  • Riverbank: Two StoryTellers from the Modesto Children's Library kicked off the celebration with a Bilingual Story Time. Folkloric Dancers dazzled the audience with their exquisite dances. There were five craft stations where children could express their creativity. Snacks were available for families to enjoy together. Finally, free books from California Library Association found new homes with happy children!
  • Salida: An interactive Bilingual Story Time featured books, music, and action rhymes. Three craft stations were there for children to express their creativity. A light snack was available for families to enjoy together. Free books from California Library Association were given to every child participant.
  • Hughson: The celebration began with two Modesto Library StoryTellers performing a Bilingual Story Time. Children then enjoyed crafts and games. Each child received a free book from California Library Association.

2010

  • Modesto: Bilingual Story Time, Storyteller Olga Loya, local folkloric dancers, free books, crafts, snacks, balloons and more!
  • Patterson: Bilingual Story Time, free books, crafts, snacks and more!
  • Riverbank: Bilingual Story Time, free books, crafts, snacks and more!

2009

Modesto Library celebrated with a Bilingual Story Time, Aztec Pinocchio by Caterpillar Puppets, new book raffle, snacks, balloons, crafts and more!

2008

Modesto Library had "Chac - the Rain Spirit" (a Mayan folktale) by Opera Piccola.

2007

Modesto Library invited families to enjoy multicultural music by Colibrí.

2006

Modesto Library hosted a Dinner Theater program with storyteller Olga Loya.

Discover more about Dia de los Ninos/Dia de los Libros at the following websites:

American Library Association, online home of Dia, offers a wealth of information about the program and features an interactive map to search for events in your area.

Pat Mora, author, speaker and creator of Dia, offers a detailed history as well as resources to help you start your own Dia celebration!