By FRANCES SMITH / Community Columnist

Children of all ages have a head start for the coming school year because they read thousands of library books during the Build a Better World Summer Challenge at the Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster. More than 600 children registered. Kids picked a reading goal, earned prizes and received a certificate when they reached their goal. Several children won prizes during the Build a Better Finale on July 12. The challenge also featured more than 40 programs to entertain and educate.

The objective of the Summer Challenge is to encourage children to read for pleasure when they are not in school. Continuing to read in the summer helps students avoid the ‘summer slide’ of skills. Parents and other caregivers are invited to participate by reading to pre-literate children. The 2017 Summer Reading Program is supported in whole or in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Alabama Public Library Service.

Thanks to our sponsors: Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Birmingham Barons Baseball, Bike Link, Friends of the Library, McDonald’s, Oak Mountain Lanes, Red Mountain Theatre Company, Sonic and Whataburger.

The library’s youth department is gearing up for a full slate of programs starting in September. We’ll blend new ones with old favorites. Look for details later.

Kids’ programs for August:

Story Times

• Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. Tunes & Tales for all ages with Mr. Mac
• Fridays 10:30 a.m. Toddler Tales with Miss Jennie

Miss Jennie’s Story Time themes

• Friendship, Watermelon and Floats
• Marshmallows, Chocolate and Crackers
• Back to School
• It’s National Dog Day!
• Happy Labor Day!

Adult programs for August:

• Computer Classes at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 – Beginning Computers; Aug. 12 – Microsoft Word 2013 Crash Course; Aug. 22 – Basic Internet and Email. To sign up come by or call 664-6822.
• ABC & Ds of Medicare, Aug. 14 at 1 p.m.
• Library Book Group, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. Heart in the Right Place by Carolyn Jourdan.
• Have a Chemical-Free Home, Aug. 28 at 5:30 p.m. Jennie Bunton will present an essential oils program focusing on a “chemical-free home.”

Programs are in the meeting room.