By FRANCES SMITH / Community Columnist

September 2017 is the 30th anniversary of Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster joins the American Library Association (ALA) and other public libraries to stress the importance of a library card.

The campaign is held each September near the beginning of the school year to remind parents and students that a library card is a free school supply that can lead to educational success and learning for a lifetime.

That’s why at our library children who get their first library card in September will also get a surprise. This does not apply to replacement cards. Youngsters must be at least 5 years old and with their parent or legal guardian who must have their proof of Shelby County residency. After filling out an application, the card will be ready in a few minutes. Combine getting a card with attending a program – our schedule is below.

Youth Programs:

•Story Times are Tunes & Tales Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. for all ages, and Toddler Tales Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for toddlers.

•Lego League Sept. 5, 4-4:45 p.m.

•Homeschool Happening Sept. 11, 10 a.m. “Writing about Science” with award-winning writer and television producer Roger Reid of the Alabama Public Television series Discovering Alabama. Students in grades 1-12 can sign up.

•Pete the Cat Book Club Sept. 12, 6 p.m. Kids 5 years old and older can sign up.

•American Girls Club Sept. 15, 4 p.m. Girls 7 years old and older can sign up to learn about Felicity’s world!

•Magic Tree House Passport to Adventure Sept. 19, 6 p.m. Celebrate ‘Talk like a Pirate Day’ with “Pirates Past Noon” by Mary Pope Osborne as inspiration. Kids in grades 1-4 can sign up.

Adult Programs:

•Tai Chi for Health 7-Week Course Wednesdays starting Sept. 6, 10:30 a.m. Rachel Hickman teaches Tai Chi an exercise that improves balance, sharpens the mind, circulates oxygen and massages joints, ligaments and muscles. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes that will not slip during movement. Each class builds upon the previous ones. No newcomers after the second class. Complete the enrollment form at the front desk before the first class.

•Computer Classes Sept. 9, 10:30 a.m. Microsoft PowerPoint 2013; Sept. 12, 10 a.m. Microsoft Excel 2013 Part 1; Sept. 19, 10 a.m. Microsoft Excel 2013 Part 2. To sign up, call 664-6822 or come by.

•ABC & Ds of Medicare Sept. 11, 1 p.m. •Library Book Group Sept. 21, 7 p.m. “The Blind Assassin” by Margaret Atwood.

•Cake & Culture Sept. 24, 2 p.m. J.D. Weeks presents the story of the Premocar, an automobile built in Birmingham from 1919 to 1923. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library.

•Mobile Device Workshop Sept. 28, 6 p.m. Computers, tablets and smartphones – your questions answered by Bob Fitzgerald of Personal Computer Consulting in Alabaster.

Programs are in the meeting room. Children age 6 and younger must be with an adult at programs.