By FRANCES SMITH / Community Columnist

Children of all ages continue to read to “Build a Better World” this summer during the Albert L. Scott Library’s Summer Challenge.

By the end of the beginning of the third week, more than 550 children had been registered. Adults can still register children, newborn to 18 years old, until July 8.

They’ll receive a large goody bag as well as a summer activity calendar, a small gift, a reading log and more. Children can be registered online at Alabasterlibrary.com or at the library.

Kids pick a reading goal, check out and read our library books, write their titles in the reading log and get prizes along the way to their goal. When they reach their goal they receive a certificate and can enter prize drawings for a bicycle, a Kindle and other surprises.

The Summer Challenge ends with “Build a Better Finale” on Wednesday, July 12 at 10:30 a.m. Comic magician Russell Davis will entertain. We’ll have prize drawings and face painting after the magic show. Children must enter the drawings by 7:30 p.m. on July 11, and winners must be at the finale to claim their prize(s).

The goal of the Summer Challenge is to encourage children to read for pleasure when they are not in school. 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.

We would also like to thank our sponsors, to date: Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Birmingham Barons Baseball, Bike Link, Friends of the Library, Oak Mountain Lanes, Red Mountain Theatre Company, Sonic and Whataburger.

Youth Programs:

-Story Times are Wednesdays 10:15 a.m. Story Builders and Summer Break Story Time for all ages; Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. Tunes & Tales for all ages; Fridays 10:30 a.m. Toddler Tales

Other Youth Programs:

-Wonders from the Alabama Museum of Natural History July 6, 10:30 a.m.

-Journey Between the Oceans with Niki Sepsas July 6, 4 p.m. Kids 11-18 years old can sign up

-Special Story Builders July 10, 10:15 a.m.

-Drama Showcase July 11, 6:30 p.m.

-Build a Better Finale with comic magician Russell Davis July 12, 10:30 a.m. Plus prize drawings and face painting

Adult Programs:

-ABC & Ds of Medicare with Karen Haiflich July 10, 1 p.m.

-Library Book Group July 20, 7 p.m. The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki will be discussed.

-Life South Blood Drive July 24, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

-Introduction to Essential Oils with Jennie Bunton July 31, 6 p.m.

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