DAPHNE, Ala. — It’s that time of year again!

Santa Claus himself is coming to the Daphne Public Library on Dec. 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. He will be in the Community Room of the library, and he will share his favorite Christmas stories with the kids.

“He’s from Santa America, which is a non-profit organization that has a group of Santas who go around and do things for the community,” said Fanny Barnette, the library’s children’s librarian.

Santa America sends Santas and elves year-round to children with terminal illnesses.

“He’s going to read some stories and adjourn for pictures, come back to read some more stories and take some more pictures,” Barnette said of the event.

Two sessions of stories and photo opportunities will be available: one beginning at 5:30 p.m. and one at 6:30 p.m. Hot cocoa and treats will be served and admission is free.

The Friends of the Daphne Public Library will sponsor this annual event.

Barnette said there were around 150 kids at last year’s event, which the library has hosted for at least five years.

“Last year was one of our bigger years,” she said. “There were two shifts of kids who came in.”

Other December events to celebrate this year’s Christmas include:

r A Christmas Ornament “Make and Take” session for children of all ages in the Library Community Room on Dec. 3 from 12 to 5 p.m.

r A “Make and Take” Christmas gift session on Dec. 10 from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Children of all ages are invited to attend the annual event and help make an item and a bag for their gift.

r A month-long event where kids can choose any colorful Christmas postcard from a “Library Gift Tree” to mail or to include in a card or gift box. Kids can purchase a book that the library wants in their collection, and the book can be purchased in honor of a specific person.

The kids also will receive a card, which will show the title of the book so card recipients can see what was chosen for donation in their honor.

Memorial bookplates indicating donors’ names and recipients’ names will be placed in each book purchased. Book costs range from $15 to $25.