By FRANCES SMITH / Community Columnist

Hundreds of children have an advantage as the new school year starts because they read library books during the eight-week Libraries Rock Summer Challenge at the Albert L. Scott Library. More than 520 children registered. They selected a reading goal, earned prizes and received a certificate when they reached their goal. The challenge also featured more than 60 programs and activities.

Research shows that reading in the summer helps students avoid the ‘summer slide’ of skills. 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.

We thank our sponsors: Alabama Shakespeare Festival, AmStar Cinemas, Birmingham Barons Baseball, Bike Link, Friends of the Library, Jim ‘n Nick’s, McDonald’s, Oak Mountain Lanes, Red Mountain Theatre Company and Whataburger.

The library is gearing up for a full offering of programs starting in September. We’ll mix new ones with old favorites. Look for details later. Our August Story Times are Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. Tunes & Tales for all ages and Fridays 10:30 a.m. Toddler Tales.

Adult Programs for August:

• Tai Chi for Health – Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. starting Aug. 1 for eight weeks. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes that will not slip during movement. Try not to miss any classes, each class builds upon previous ones. No newcomers after the second class takes place. Participants must complete the Enrollment Form at the front desk before the first class.
• Ya Ya Yarners – Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m. For information, call the library at 664-6822 or email Carol Smith at csmith@shelbycounty-al.org.
• Computer Classes– Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Aug. 7 – Microsoft Word 2013 Part 1; Aug. 14 – Microsoft Word 2013 Part 2; Aug. 21 – Basic Internet and Email. Call 664-6822 or come by to sign up.
• Surgical Weight Loss Seminar – Aug. 9, noon, presented by Dr. Rex Sherer of Shelby Baptist Medical Center. Registration is required. Free lunch provided for registered attendees. To register call 833-350-8389 or visit BrookwoodBaptistHeath.com/Weight.
• ABC & Ds of Medicare with Karen Haiflich of the Medicare Information Source – Aug. 13, 1 p.m.
• Library Book Group – Aug. 16, 7 p.m. The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktuby Joshua Hammer.
• Medicare 101 with Eric Smith, founder of Medicare Advisors of Alabama – Aug. 23, 6 p.m.
• Opioid Education – Aug. 28, 6 p.m Drug overdoses are the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Join us as Natasha Tripp of Aletheia House helps us understand opioids and how they are affecting the community and youth. She will cover the warning signs of opioid abuse, prevention strategies, how to help someone suffering from addiction and available treatments. Aletheia House is a community-based organization that provides substance abuse treatment and prevention services to low-income individuals.

Programs are in the meeting room.