By FRANCES SMITH / Community Columnist

Youngsters of all ages can participate in our Summer Challenge that starts in May.

Kids read our library books to earn prizes while improving or maintaining reading skills.

The Libraries Rock Kickoff is May 30. We’ll have two appearances by Belle from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: at 10:30 a.m. and at 2 p.m.

Adults may sign up children before or after either show and receive a bag containing the reading log, calendar and more.

Older kids are invited to the Tweens & Teens Rock Kickoff Party on May 31 at 6 p.m. Beginning May 21 kids can be registered online at Cityofalabaster.com. We’ll offer several weeks of free programs and prizes ending on July 18 with a finale. Details on many activities are below.

The 2018 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.

Our sponsors to date are: Alabama Shakespeare Festival, AmStar Cinemas, Bike Link, Birmingham Barons Baseball, Friends of the Library, Jim ‘N Nick’s, McDonald’s, Oak Mountain Lanes and Red Mountain Theatre Company.

Youth Activities

• Weekly:

All ages – Summer Break Story Time Wednesdays May 23, 10:15 a.m.; Reading & Rocking Story Time, Wednesdays in June, 10:15 a.m.; Tunes & Tales, Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m.; Lego League, Tuesdays in June, 4-4:45 p.m.

Toddlers – Toddler Tales, Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

• Special:

May 4, May the Fourth Be with You Day, 4-5 p.m. Lego Station, a Creation Station, light refreshments and more. Sign up suggested, costumes encouraged. Masks available while supplies last. All children must be with an adult.

May 30 Libraries Rock Kickoff with Belle 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

May 31 Tweens & Teens Rock Kickoff Party 6 p.m.

June 4 Skin & Bones Comedy Circus 10:30 a.m.

June 4 Iron Giant Percussion Concert & Workshop 4 p.m.

June 5 Drama Workshop 5:30-6:15 p.m. 8 to 11 years old sign up for six weeks

June 5 Drama Workshop 6:30-7:15 p.m. 12 to 15 years old sign up for six weeks

June 7 Maynard, Magic & Music 10:30 a.m.

June 7 Tweens & Teens Rock ‘n’ Roll Music & Food Workshop 4 p.m.

June 11 Be-at Your Best Drums 10:30 a.m.

June 11 Music Mania: Read & Re-Create 4 p.m.

June 14 Birmingham Zoo to You 10:30 a.m.

June 14 Tweens & Teens Crafts Studio 4 p.m.

June 18 Tommy Johns Magic Show 10:30 a.m.

June 18 Music Mania: Read & Re-Create 4 p.m.

June 21 Tempo Time 10:30 a.m.

June 21 Tweens & Teens Tempo Time 4 p.m.

June 25 Science of Music 10:30 a.m.

June 26 Block Party 3:30-4:30 p.m.

June 27 Tunes & Tales & Treats 3:30 p.m.

June 28 Food Fun: Jam Making 10:30 a.m.

June 28 Tweens & Teens Jam Session 4 p.m.

• Adult Activities

Computer Classes, 10 a.m. May 1, Microsoft Excel 2013 Part 2; May 8, ancestry.com. Sign up.

Ya Ya Yarners, Mondays, 5:30 p.m.

ABC & Ds of Medicare, May 14, 1 p.m.

Library Book Group, May 17, 7 p.m. A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline.

Mobile Device Workshop, May 24, 6 p.m.

Book Signing, May 30, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Bobby Joe Seales – Alabaster & Siluria the Early Years: A Pictorial History.

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