Alabaster library gears up for summer program

Published 3:45 pm Thursday, May 28, 2020

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ALABASTER – Summer at the Albert L. Scott Library will feature new books, new performers, streaming programs and a new electronic reading log.

The theme this summer is “Imagine Your Story,” Youth Services Librarian Frances Smith said.

“It’s just something to kind of spring off from to get the kids thinking about what they can read about,” Smith said. “In a way, if they imagine their story, they can imagine what they want to be when they grow up, or a fantasy, or anything they want. It’s designed to keep them reading in the summer so they don’t backslide, or instead improve on their skills.”

The READsquared progress tracker can be accessed starting May 25 through the library’s website or the READsquared app. Users can enroll children in the summer reading challenge, keep track of their reading progress and be alerted when they are eligible for prizes.

A kickoff event for children age 10 and younger will be held on June 1 with Mr. Larry Magic performing “Beyond Imagination.”

The event will be held at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

As with all shows planned for the summer, those who plan to attend must register and receive confirmation that there is space for them.

The kickoff for those ages 11-18 will be held the next day, June 2, at 6 p.m. This kickoff will be a “Magical Workshop” with Tim Sonefelt.

Once registered for the summer reading program, participants should visit the library to pick up their packet.

Sonefelt is a new performance this year, as are Professor Whizzpop, Didgeridoo Down Under and Family Creativity Night.

See below for a full rundown of the programs.

June highlights at the library

  • June 1: Summer Challenge Kids’ Beyond Imagination Kickoff with Mr. Larry Magic, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
  • June 2: Summer Challenge Tweens’ & Teens’ Kickoff with Magician Tim Sonefelt, 6 p.m. (for kids 11 to 18 years old)
  • June 3: Sloss Furnaces Virtual Tour, 3:30 p.m.
  • June 4: Tweens’ & Teens’ Try It Thursday, 4 p.m. (kids 11-18 years old)
  • June 8: Once Upon a Magic-filled Show with Magician Tommy Johns, 10:30 a.m.
  • June 8: Imagine Butterflies & Moths with Bert Lindbergh “The Bug Man,” 3:30 p.m.
  • June 11: Maynard, Magic, & Music, 10:30 a.m.
  • June 11: Tweens’ & Teens’ Surprise STEM Lab with Shelby 4H, 4 p.m. (kids 11-18 years old)
  • June 15: Skin & Bones Comedy Circus, 10:30 a.m.
  • June 15: Cap’n Dave Music Show, 3:30 p.m.
  • June 17: Professor Whizzpop, 3:30 p.m.
  • June 18: Skins & Skulls with Shelby 4H, 10:30 a.m.
  • June 18: Didgeridoo Down Under, 4 p.m.
  • June 22: Miss Kit’s Bubble School, 10:30 a.m.
  • June 22: Family Creativity Night: An Artist’s America with Michael Albert, 5:30 p.m.
  • June 25: Tweens’ & Teens’ Try It Thursday, 4 p.m. (kids 11-18 years old)
  • June 29: Be At Your Best Drums, 10:30 a.m.
  • June 29: Munching with a Mermaid, 3:30 p.m.

Weekly programs

  • Drama Workshop for kids 8-10 years old, Tuesdays (starting June 9) from 5:30-6:15 p.m. Class size is limited.
  • Drama Workshop for kids 11-15 years old Tuesdays (starting June 9) from 6:30-7:15 p.m. Class size is limited.
  • Imagination Station Story Time, Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m.
  • Toddler Tales, 10:30 a.m.
  • Streaming & Dreaming Story Time, 3:30 p.m.

Smith said certain programs will be streamed or livestreamed.

“If we have performers in the meeting room, we want to have a very small audience and keep social distancing in mind, so we would livestream that,” she said.