By FRANCES SMITH / Community Columnist

Our Libraries Rock Summer Challenge is in progress for youngsters of all ages. They are reading our library books to earn prizes while improving or maintaining reading skills.

Adults may still sign up children at the library or online at Cityofalabaster.com and receive a gift bag containing the program calendar, some small gifts and more. Besides reading for prizes and a certificate of achievement, we’ll offer several weeks of free activities ending on July 18 with a finale.

Details on many programs 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, Red Mountain Theatre Company, and Whataburger.

Youth Programs

Weekly:

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

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

Special:

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 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. 8 to 11 years old sign up for six weeks

June 5   Drama Workshop 6:30 p.m. – 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 p.m. – 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 Programs

Summer Reading, June 4-July 20, Read books to enter for a chance to win great weekly prizes and a final grand prize. Stop by the library to sign up in person or sign up online at Cityofalabaster.com.

Ya Ya Yarners, June 4, 11, 18, and 25, 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Need more information?  Email Carol Smith at csmith@shelbycounty-al.org.

ABC & Ds of Medicare, June 11, 1 p.m.

Library Book Group, June 21, 7 p.m. LaRose by Louise Erdrich

Programs are in the meeting room. For more information call the library: 205.664.6822. Children age 6 and younger must be with an adult.