KIDS' CONNECTION JUNE 2026
Activities and more for families with kids 11 and younger.
The Summer Challenge is Underway!
Sign up online on ReadSquared!
Our 2026 Unearth a Story™ Summer Challenge is in progress! 
Read Your Way to a Sweet Finish: Every Page Turned Earns More Treats for Our Big Dig Finale! 
Keep digging. Keep reading. Let’s unearth a story—together!
We're attempting to earn 380,000 reading points that will amount to a big win for everyone!
We're uncovering something amazing with every book read for everyone in the challenge. As a reading community, we’re “excavating” a hidden dinosaur skeleton piece by piece. For each milestone, a piece of the fossil is uncovered. This unlocks more goodies for the finale.
Pudding Subsoil (95,000 points)
Cookie Dirt & Bedrock (190,000 points)
Chocolate Chip Rocks (285,000 points)
Grass Sprinkles with Gummies (380,000 points)
Be sure to stay on track and log your reading throughout the summer! We’ve layered in a way for kids to earn a second entry to our big kids’ grand prize drawing this year. We’ve also added two special drawings for unique prizes at week 3 and week 8.       
We’ll celebrate our success on Thursday, July 30th with a Big Dig Finale packed with special activities, surprises, and fun—made possible by everyone’s reading efforts!
Look for our progress in Caroline’s Corner as the bones are unearthed!
 
Summary of the Summer Challenge
A Challenge for Every Age
We have reading opportunities and fun prizes for youngsters ages 0 to 11 years old. There is still time to register by going to ReadSquared or downloading the app. You set the goal! Prizes are awarded at 100-point intervals. All ages can participate whether they can read. They can listen to books read to them. 
 
Pre-K children ages 0-4 will have fun at an age-appropriate reading level. They’ll enjoy Treasure Chest prizes. They will have a grand prize at the end of the challenge.                 
 
Children ages 5-11 have a range of reading abilities so their prize system supports lap readers, emerging readers, and independent readers. Leveled prizes are offered and there will be a grand prize at the end for them.
 
Track everything on ReadSquared!                                                
Use ReadSquared to log reading to earn points. All reading materials must be checked out from the Albert L. Scott Library. Everyone who reaches 1,000 points will complete the challenge and will get an entry into the grand prize drawing which will be automatically held on the afternoon of July 29.
 
Special Partnership: Summer Reading x2
The library is partnering with Alabaster City Schools (ACS) Warrior Reading Literacy Camps at Creek View Elementary, Meadow View Elementary, Thompson Intermediate, and Thompson Middle School. Students enrolled in literacy camp at any school can bring their Summer Reading x2 flyer to the library to register for the challenge and receive a special prize. We’ll also have a list of resources for them.
 
Our Sponsors
We thank our sponsors to date: Arby's, Freddy's Helena, and TDMW Family McDonald’s Restaurants. The 2026 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.
 
JUNE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
 
 
Get ready for a hoot of a time on June 1!
It’s the first day to claim prizes, so swing by the library’s youth department to pick them up any time during our open hours.
Plus, don't miss a very special MEET & GREET WITH BERNIE THE OWL! Bernie will be flying in to say hello and snap some photos during two sessions:
Morning: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Afternoon: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Come grab your rewards, check out more library books, and give Bernie a high-five!
 
June 2 Quest to the Core w/ McWane Science Center 4:00 p.m. Register here.
June 4 Decorate a Dinosaur 10:30 a.m.
Register here.
June 8 Dinolympics 10:30 a.m. Register here.
June 10 Can You Dig It! w/ Mr. Larry Magic
10:30 a.m. Register here.
June 11 Birds of Prey w/ Alabama Wildlife Center 10:30 a.m. Register here.
June 15 Unearth a Story of Magic w/ Russell Davis 10:30 a.m. Register here.
June 16 Dino-Mite Movie Night! We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story 6:00 p.m. Register here.
June 18 Unearth Your Art 10:30 a.m.      
Register here.
June 21 Super Special Science Sunday: Chickens, Crafts, Ducks & Dinosaurs w/ DART Family Farm 2:00 p.m. Register here.
June 22 Worms’ World w/ Shelby 4-H Club  
10:30 a.m. Register here.
June 24 Garden Club 4:00 p.m. Register here.
June 25 The Great History Trek: Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday 11:00 a.m. 
Register here.
June 29 Dinosaurs, Reactions, & Explosions, Oh My! w/ Dynamic Education Adventures      Science Lady 10:30 a.m. Register here.
 
PROGRAM DETAILS ARE ON LIBCAL
WHERE YOU SIGN UP!
 
PROGRAMS BY JUNIOR LIBRARIANS
WEDNESDAYS @ 2:00 P.M.
June 3
Roar & Read: Dino Story Time Register here.
 
June 10
Buzz through Time Register here.

June 17
Prehistoric Playtime Register here.

June 24 Custom Crafts by U Register here.
SPOTLIGHT ON SERIES
                              Reads & Deeds Every Other Tuesday @ 1:00 p.m.
June 9 - Making sandwiches  - Helping the community is as simple as stacking, wrapping, and packing.  Our sandwich-making project brings volunteers ages 6 years old and older together to help feed the food insecure. The sandwiches will be distributed by the Food For Our Journey (FFOJ) nonprofit food van. It’s a fast-paced, high-impact way to fight hunger one slice of bread at a time. Register here.
 
June 23 - Making pet toys - Make pet toys for animals living in shelters and meet our special guests! Liv Russo of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) will bring an animal ambassador and discuss the life of homeless animals and how you can help. Register here.
 

Unearth a Story Time
Every Tuesday
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Dig into the magic of books with Miss Karen!
Uncover treasures!
Explore wonders of the world!
Meet new characters and friends!
Enjoy interactive reading, activities, and imagination!
It's an adventure for explorers of all ages who want to strike gold with great tales and more.
Register here.
Please Note:
The library will be closed on June 19 for Juneteenth.
JULY SNEAK PEEK
Drama Workshop July 16 & 17; July 20-25 , 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. icons - infographics theater play mask drama comedy tragedy - navy blue
This immersive 8-day workshop is for aspiring performers ages 8 to 10 years old. Theatre professional Darrell Revel will guide them as they dive into the world of theatre -- culminating in a Showcase for family and friends on Saturday, July 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Important Details:
  • Eligibility: Must be registered for the Summer Challenge.
  • Commitment: This program runs for 7 instructional days plus the final Showcase. Because the group works as a team, full attendance is essential.
Ready to take the stage? Ensure your performer is registered and prepared for theatrical fun!
Register here.
 
                   SUMMER STORY TIME FUN! 
Teeny Tiny Time  (2 years old & younger)
Fridays, 10:00 a.m.-10:20 a.m.
 
Small Fry Friday (3-5 years old)
Fridays, 10:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
 
Free Play Friday (0-5 years old)
Come and go
June 26, 10:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
 
     NEW BOOKS!
        Dear Dad by Flamingo Books            Olive Oakes and the Haunted Carousel by Kalynn Bayron            Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner     
 
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Register here!
Please sign up for all programs and story times at our online calendar.
All programs and story times are in the Nan Abbott Room unless otherwise noted.
Children under age 10 must be with an adult.
Albert L. Scott Library
100 9th Street NW
Alabaster, Alabama 35007
(205) 664-6822
https://www.cityofalabaster.com/221/Library