By FRANCES SMITH / Community Columnist

On Dec. 14, Alabama marked its 200^th anniversary of separating from the Mississippi Territory. It became the nation’s 22nd state in 1819. According to the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, the celebration of statehood is three years of festivities. Our library has begun its celebration by creating an Alabama Collection near the reference department. Titles include Alabama: The Making of an American State by Bridges and Alabama Women: Their Lives and Times. Also, the youth department has Alabama-related books, both new and longstanding, including the Alabama Roots Biography Series. If you come to check out any of our hundreds of Alabama materials you’re invited to attend a program of interest.

Youth Programs

• Story Times are Tunes & Tales Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. and Toddler Tales Fridays 10:30 a.m. Other programs are:
• Jan. 8 Homeschool Happening: Mapping the Adventure of Hansel & Gretel 10 a.m.-11 a.m. with cartographer and geographer Teresa Pitts. Students in grades 1-12 can sign up.
• Jan. 9 Lego League 6-6:45 p.m.
• Jan. 12 Fractured Fairy Tales Friday 4 p.m. It’s a new look at The Three Little Pigs for kids in grades 1 and above. Please sign up.
• Jan. 16 Pete the Cat Book Club 6 p.m. Kids 5 years old and older can sign up.
• Jan. 19 American Girls Club 4 p.m. Girls age 7 and older can sign up to come explore Josefina’s world of 1824. Come with or without a doll.
• Jan. 22 Magic Tree House Passport to Adventure 4 p.m. Polar Bears Past Bedtime will be our catalyst for kids in first grade and above. Please sign up.
• Jan. 30 Family Time Tasty Tales 6 p.m. Dinner and story are on us as families listen to tales featuring pizza while eating pizza. Families with kids old enough to listen to the story and eat pizza can sign up by Jan. 29. All children must be with an adult.

Adult Programs

• Computer Classes at 10 a.m. – Jan. 2 Beginning Microsoft Excel 2013 part 1; Jan. 9 Beginning Microsoft Excel 2013 part 2; Jan. 13 Microsoft Word 2013 Crash Course. Sign up.
• Tai Chi for Health Part 2 – Wednesday at 10:30am starting Jan. 3 for 9 weeks. Wear loose, comfortable clothes and non-slip shoes. No need to know part 1 to learn part 2. Newcomers will not be allowed after the second class. Complete enrollment form at the library’s front desk before the first class.
• ABC & Ds of Medicare Jan. 8, 1 p.m.
• Library Book Group Jan. 18, 7 p.m. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.
• Suicide Prevention Jan. 22, 6:30 p.m. Speaker is Ashley Foster of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Alabama Chapter.
• Mobile Device Workshop Jan. 25, 6 p.m. Speaker is Bob Fitzgerald of Personal Computer Consulting.
• Free AARP Tax Help for seniors by appointment Tuesdays and Thursdays February through April. Sign up begins in January: come by the library or call.

Programs are in the meeting room and children age 6 and younger must be with an adult unless otherwise indicated. Sign up for programs at the circulation desk or call 664-6822.