Teen Programs & Events

Summer Volunteer Hours

Looking for some easy and fun volunteer hours this summer? We have many options for you!

This summer we are again inviting teens to volunteer at the library. There are three options: Program assistance, Program Set up/Clean up, and Summer Reading Desk.

You have complete control over when you come! Sign up for time slots on our special Teen Volunteer calendar. Time slots are limited to 2 teens per slot, and only limited times are available to ensure we have assistance when we most need it!

If this sounds like a good fit for you, please read through the Volunteer Policy fill out the Teen Volunteer Application below, and register for the Summer Reading Volunteer Orientation on Tuesday June 24th, at 4pm. The meeting will last about 30 minutes, and counts toward your volunteer hour total. We’ll go over all expectations and describe what each job entails. If you can’t make it to the orientation that’s ok, we can go over the information separately.

Teen Volunteers must be age 13-18, and must fill out the application prior to volunteering. For more information please email Kristen at kslepecki@durhamlibrary.org


The Goblin Market

Announcing the Traveling Goblin Market! Earn gems by:

  • Participating in any TEEN event
  • Hand in your Summer Reading BINGO card
  • Complete the Choose Your Own Adventure Scavenger Hunt

These gems can be traded in at the market for special prizes- it’s up to you if you want to spend each gem you get, or if you want to save them up! Prizes will change throughout the summer, so your 2nd visit will be different from your 1st!

The market will not be open all the time. There is a sign hanging in the Teen Library that indicates whether the Goblin Market is open or not. When the sign says OPEN find Miss Kristen in the Children’s Department to make your deal.

All gems must be traded in before August 30th.


Choose Your Own Adventure Scavenger Hunt

June-August, Open-Close

A NEW type of scavenger hunt is coming to the teen library this summer!

Follow the prompts and make choices that will effect the path you take to save your realm!

You can play as many times as you’d like, each play through earns you a magic gem that you can spend at the Goblin Market! The Goblin Market doesn’t have set hours, so make sure you look for the OPEN sign in the Teen Library and trade in your gems for various prizes.

See Miss Kristen for more information on this really fun program! No registration required!


End of Year Half-Day Hangout

Thursday June 12th, 11am-2pm

Stop by the teen department for games, art projects and snacks to celebrate your last week of school!

No registration required, just stop by!

For teens exiting grades 6 & up only please.


Life-Sized Candy Land Prop Creation

Tuesdays 7/1 & 7/8, 6-7pm

Teens are invited to aid our Youth Services team in creating props for our life-sized Candy Land event!

All materials will be provided.

For teens entering grades 6+.

Registration required and opens Friday June 13th.


Henna!

Wednesday July 9th, 5-7pm

Teens entering grades 6-12 are invited to our annual HENNA Summer Reading Kick Off Event!

Jamilah, of Jamilah Henna Creations is back to educate us on the history and cultural significance of Henna, and will provide each participant with their very own Henna art! 
We’ll have a movie playing as well as various activities available to keep you occupied while you wait your turn.

Registration is required, as space is limited.


Life-Sized Candy Land Build & Playthrough

Tuesday July 15th, 5-7pm

We’re looking for teens to help us build our life-sized Candy Land Event! We’ll be playing through when it’s done (for quality control of course)!

This event counts toward community service hours. Email Kristen for more information kslepecki@durhamlibrary.org

For teens entering grades 6+
Registration is required and opens June 13th


Teen Bingo & Pizza Nights

Wednesdays 7/23 & 8/20, 5-6pm

Play bingo, eat pizza and win some prizes! Join Miss Kristen for a simple game of bingo, food and prizes.

For teens in grades 6+ only, registration is required.


Herbology 101: Mini Herb Gardens

Saturday July 26th, 11am-12pm

This time in our Welcome to Hogwarts series, we explore the world of Herbology! We’ll be planning, planting and decorating our very own mini herb gardens. Participants will also learn practical uses for all the herbs we’re working with.

All materials provided, registration is required and begins June 13th.

For teens entering grades 6-12 only please.


Open Art Nights

Tuesdays 7/29 & 8/12, 5-7pm

Teens are invited to let their creativity loose! We’ll raid the craft supplies and make whatever kind of art we want! A prompt will be provided to aid those with artist block, but it is not required.

We’ll hold an optional art show at the end of the summer to show off our amazing creations!

Pizza and other snacks will be provided. Please register so we have enough for everyone!

For teens entering grades 6 & up only please.


Teen Jewelry Making

Wednesday August 6th, 6-7pm

Join Miss Kristen for some jewelry making!

Beads, wire, floss, etc will be provided to create unique and beautiful jewelry!

Registration required and opens June 13th

Teens entering grades 6+ only please.


Teen Book Box

Fill out the updated form (https://tinyurl.com/DPLTBB ) to receive a monthly Teen Book Box from the Durham Public Library.

(If you leave the optional questions blank we will just surprise you with a pick)

Inside you’ll find;

  • YA title checked-out to you
  • Surprise(s) 
  • Candy
  • A Sticker

We will email you when your box is ready. Stop by the front desk to pick up your box. When you are finished simply return the book (and the box if you’d like to help us recycle). You may keep the rest of the items in your box!

You will be notified when each month’s Teen Book Box is ready for you. You will have one week to come and pick up your box.

Books will be checked out to you for two months, however, in order to receive the next month’s box you MUST have returned the book to the library!

Miss a month? That’s ok we will be in touch again the following month. If you miss two pick-ups in a row we will just remove you from our list. You are welcome to register again if you want to re-join the program.


Make & Take Crafts

Stop by the teen library each month to make a new craft!

Feel free to leave your creations behind on the craft cart to be displayed around the teen library!

All materials will be provided, while supplies last!

No registration required.