This March there are a variety of exciting virtual library programs for you and your family to enjoy. Following are examples of the March offerings at Stanislaus County libraries, including a virtual show from Act!vated Story Theatre, reading challenges, book clubs, and more. For the full list of virtual library events this March, visit the online calendar of events at http://www.stanislauslibrary.org/.
It’s time for March Book Madness. Vote for your favorite books as they go head to head for the chance to become this year’s champion. Each Monday, the books with the most votes will advance to the next round. This year’s March Book Madness is also a Beanstack reading challenge. Earn badges by reading six books between March 1 and April 4, and voting in each week of March Book Madness.
Join the I Survived Book Club, presented by Scholastic and author Lauren Tarshis. At the start of every month Lauren Tarshis will select a book from the I Survived series to read together, and Scholastic will upload lots of fun videos and activities related to the selected title. To participate, you can check out a copy of the latest I Survived book of the month from the library, or check out a digital copy through Hoopla. Then, visit the library’s Facebook page the first day of each month to find the link to the reader’s guide, which lists the official activity links in one convenient place.
Unfortunately the Riverbank Branch Library was unable to have a Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration as they have had in the past years due to the pandemic. However, the Riverbank Library does offer modified services. They have a no contact library check out and return.
“Hopefully things will get better soon and we’ll be able to get back to in person programming,” said the Riverbank Branch Supervisor Vicky Holt. “We offer a no contact way to get library material. Customers put books on hold and when they arrive at the branch, they call us and let us know when they want to pick them up. We have carts outside for them to pick up their holds or return their library material.”
The hours for the book drop are Monday through Thursday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. The book drop is also available as an option to return books. The library has a limited amount of computers available from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 4 p.m. on Fridays. Guests can make one hour appointments to use the computers and adhere to capacity guidelines. They also offer mobile printing for customers.
The Riverbank Library is at 3442 Santa Fe St.; for more information, call 209-869-7008.
Countywide, from March 6 through April 17, The In-N-Out Cover to Cover Club is back and has gone virtual. Children ages 4 to 12 may register to participate on Beanstack. Each participant may earn three hamburger/cheeseburger certificates by reading a total of 15 books. Limit of three certificates per participant, while supplies last. Certificates must be picked up at a Stanislaus County Library. Contact your local Stanislaus County Library for pick-up instructions.
Do you miss talking about books with other people? If you do, the library has a number of virtual book clubs for you to enjoy. If you are a mystery fan, the Mystery Lovers Book Club will discuss their latest selection via Zoom on March 12 at 10:30 a.m. The Virtual Book Chat program discusses books participants have read or are currently reading around a specific topic; this month they will meet on Zoom to discuss books about food on March 16 at 2 p.m. The Virtual Book Club for Adults will meet on Zoom on March 24 at 11:30 a.m. to discuss the club’s book of the month.
Sign up for the upcoming virtual trivia nights this March, taking place on March 12 and 26 at 7 p.m. On Friday, March 12, fans of the TV show New Girl can test their knowledge of Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Winston, Coach, Cece, and more. Video game fans can try for the high score by demonstrating their knowledge of video games and gaming systems on Friday, March 26. The library will be using Zoom and the free app Kahoot! for this program. Advance registration is required for these events, as space is limited.
Act!vated Story Theatre Virtual Shows are scheduled from March 19 through April 1. Visit the library website from March 19 through April 1 to watch Act!vated Story Theatre’s virtual performance of two tales staged for imaginative kids who love stories. Hula, ukulele, acrobatic tricks, spinning poi balls, silly costumes, comedy and American Sign Language bring these stories to life. Multiple camera angles bring you up on stage and into the action.
Also, join Stanislaus UCCE Master Gardeners on Zoom for a spring vegetable gardening program on Tuesday, March 23 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Learn how to prepare your garden for spring vegetables, what plants to grow, and how to care for them until harvest. Advance registration is required. Participants will receive the Zoom link on the morning of the virtual event.
The digital magazines previously enjoyed from RBdigital have migrated to OverDrive. Libby is a free, award-winning reading app from OverDrive. Magazines check out from Libby for a period of three weeks. More information is available on the eMagazines page of the library website.
