By FRANCES SMITH / Community Columnist

October may be known for pumpkins, football and trick-or-treating, but Oct. 16 is a special day for word lovers.

It is National Dictionary Day in honor of Noah Webster’s birthday, Oct. 16, 1758.

You can celebrate the 260^th anniversary of the Father of the American Dictionary by learning a new word or by reading one of our books about him like: W is for Webster: Noah Webster and his American Dictionary by Fern. While you browse our books, stay for a program we have something for all ages.

Youth Programs:

• Oct. 2 Lego® League 4-4:45 p.m.
• Oct. 8 Homeschool Happening: Animal Antics 10-11 a.m. Animals visit from the Birmingham Zoo. Kids in grades 1 through 12 can sign up.
• Oct. 9 Wonder Kids’ Book Club 6-7 p.m. Kids 6 to 10 years old can join our new book club. The theme this session is “Halloween Hijinks.” After we explore books a surprise guest will transform kids’ faces with paint. Sign up.
• Oct. 12 American Girls Club: Fall Fashion Show 4 p.m. Girls age 7 and older can model in a costume with or without a doll. Family members can be in the audience. All kids in the audience must be with an adult. Sign up.
• Oct. 23 Pete the Cat Book Club 6 p.m. Are cats and pumpkins a good combination? Kids 5 years old and older can sign up to find out.
• Oct. 31 Costume Capers 4:15 p.m. Children may wear a costume (or not) and enjoy the wonders of comic magician Russell Davis. All children must be with an adult at this event.

Story Times are Fridays 10:30 a.m. Toddler Tales. Regarding Tunes & Tales please refer to the city’s website cityofalabaster.com and the library’s Facebook page.

Adult Programs:

• Tai Chi for Health – Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. starting Sept. 26 for 8 weeks. Wear loose clothing and shoes that will not slip. Each class builds upon the previous ones. Newcomers will not be allowed after the second class. Complete the enrollment form at the front desk before the first class.
• Computer Classes Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Oct. 2 – PowerPoint 2013; Oct. 9 – Word 2013 Part 1; Oct. 23 – Word 2013 Part 2. Please sign up.
• ABC & Ds of Medicare – Oct. 8, 1 p.m., With Karen Haiflich of the Medicare Information.
• Library Book Group – Oct. 18, 7 p.m., Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng.
• Cake & Culture: Holiday Mailbox Decoration by Suzy – Oct. 21, 2 p.m., floral expert Suzy Reynolds-Smith will demonstrate how to create festive mailbox covers. One arrangement made for the demonstration will be given away by drawing at the end of the program. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library.
• Medicare 101 – Oct. 25, 6 p.m., with Eric Smith of Medicare Advisors of Alabama.
• Ya Ya Yarners – Mondays from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Oct. 1, 15, 22 and 29

For more information regarding adult programs call the library at 664-6822 or email Carol Smith at csmith@shelbycounty-al.org.

All programs are in the meeting room. Children age 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.