Calling all parents of preschool-aged children.

The Andalusia Public Library is gearing up for its annual community helpers Fridays.

Children’s librarian Caryl Lee Ray said that since school has started back numbers have dropped for the weekly storytime at the library and she wants to remind parents that the fun time happens every Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Starting Friday, community helpers will drop by the the library.

“We do this as a way to teach the little children not to fear the fireman, and that the police are their friends,” she said. “We want them to make the connection that the mailman helps connect them with grandmother through letters and stuff.”

Ray said that the veterinarian will also come by and talk to the children about taking care of animals.

This year, she’s changing things up a bit and adding some curriculum the week before the community volunteers comes.

“Last week, we learned about 911 and fire safety,” she said. “I wanted them to be able to learn a little more about what these community helpers do before they come here.”

Ray said she typically schedules them one week after another, but is spacing them out in order to allow for the participants to gain a better knowledge of how the community helpers can assist them.

The schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 18, fire truck;

• Oct. 2, ambulance;

• Oct. 16, mailman;

• Oct. 30, police and Halloween costumes; and

• Nov. 6, veterinarian.

-Kendra Majors