FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Proving once again that it's about more than books, the Center Library is offering up a host of events to help Fort Rucker Soldiers and families get into the holiday spirit.

The library's events are designed to get people's minds working as they craft creations to jump start the season of giving, according to Cameron Hill, Center Library youth librarian.

One of the first events people can attend for a little hands-on creative activity that has the library partnering with the arts and crafts center is the Card Creation Workshop Dec. 2 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. During the workshop, people can let their artistic side show as they create cards for any occasion, such as the holidays, birthdays or whatever strikes their fancy, said Hill.

"We acquired some die cut machines, so we have the materials, and one of the experts from the arts and crafts center will come over and show everyone how to use the machine," she said. "They will show people how to enhance their projects when creating their Christmas cards, holiday cards or any kind of card."

The event is for all ages and is free for attendees, and all supplies that people need to craft their creations will be provided.

"They don't have to bring anything but their imagination and creative spirit," said Hill.

The next event is one of the Center Library's most popular events, and this iteration will have children harnessing their holiday creativity and ingenuity.

The Center Library's Mad Scientist Workshop will return Dec. 5 with Gingerbread Engineering in two sessions from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m. where children will put on their thinking caps to build gingerbread houses that not only appear appetizing, but can take a beating, said the youth librarian.

"The kids will be constructing gingerbread houses, but we'll have some different challenges for them," said Hill. "They'll do things like build one that can withstand a hurricane, or we will see how much weight they can put on their house (before it collapses), and things like that."

The focus of the workshop is to be able to challenge the minds of the children and pique their interest in science, technology, engineering, art and math programs, she said.

"I want children to be able to learn some of the basic concepts of engineering but in a way that they don't actually realize that they're learning," said the youth librarian. "They should have fun while they're doing it, and hopefully they'll just remember the concepts later on down the road."

Although the children's creations may seem appetizing, Hill said she advises that the children not eat their engineering marvels because some of the materials they will be utilizing will not be edible.

"They will be using milk cartons as a base for their house," she said. "And although we will use frosting as an adhesive, frosting may not work that well, so we may end up using glue -- it's all part of the learning process."

The workshop is free and open to authorized patrons ages 7-13, but space is limited to 20 registrants per session, so people must register early to ensure a spot, she said.

The library will also be hosting a holiday craft activity Dec. 12 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. for children ages 3-11. The craft session is part of the library's monthly craft sessions, but Hill said this iteration will have a holiday theme to get people in the spirit of the season.

Light refreshments will be served during the craft session and space is limited to the first 40 children, so people should register early, she said.

For more information or to register for any of the upcoming events, call 255-3885.