Programs, Events, Book Recommendations, Homework Help and Test Prep for Teens and Young Adults

Looking for the latest additions to the teen nonfiction collection? Click here.

Read Online or with an App

In addition to all of the great books on the shelves of your local library, your free library card gives you access to streaming movies, TV shows, music, e-books, comics, and more on Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy. Note: You can use audience filters on Hoopla to narrow your search to Young Adult Fiction or Young Adult Nonfiction. On Libby, you can apply the "Young Adult" age/audience filter, browse by categories like "Teen,"  or use keywords like "YA" in your search.

Get more tips for using the Digital Library

Want recommendations and resources for children (birth to age 12)? Check out our kids page.

#Things to Do at the Library

Part Hangout Space, Part Study Space

Some library locations have dedicated computers for teens or even Teen Rooms, great for hanging out after school or meeting up with friends to study, and play games. For a quieter space, you can even Reserve a Study Room. Find your library branch under “Locations and Hours” to see what rooms are available to book.

Drop in for Games, Movies, Crafts, and More

Gamers: Be sure to check out the free resources and activities our Play Games at the Library page. Depending on your location, you might find a Dungeons & Dragons or other tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) rulebook on the shelf. You can even check out and play a board game (for in-library use). Some locations also have e-sports clubs, Super Smash Bros. Tournaments, and more. 

Or, ask your librarian about Drop-In Dungeons & Dragons, Saturday Morning Cartooning, and other teen "drop-in activities" (note: not all of them are added to the online events calendar).  Some happen every week or month. Many locations will offer printed calendars so you can keep track.

Attend a Library Program

We also have Teen Labs (for homeschoolers, ages 12-17) for those curious about a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art or Math. Each week, you'll take a deep dive on a fun topic, talk about great books, and get hands-on with a craft or other activity.

Or join us at Teen Advisory Board, where you vote for, plan, and make things happen at your Library! Recently, TAB members solved murder mystery, competed in a dessert decorating competition and more! There's a new theme every two weeks - many of which are decided on by you!

Find a TAB near you

If you need Bright Futures Scholarship hours, you can volunteer by helping out at TAB or other teen programs. If your library doesn't have a TAB, you can help out in other ways, too! 

#See What's Coming Up Soon....

#You May Also Like...

Prep for Tests, College or Careers

Whether you're in the Library, at school or studying at home: You can connect to free homework and research help, level up and learn new software and skills with LinkedIn Learning, and set yourself up for success in college (and in your future career)!

Whether you're planning to take the AP, SAT or ACT exams; get into college; or land a job, Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test and Career Prep can help you get there. This single resource provides in-depth career assessments, information on over 4,000 accredited colleges and universities, access to resume and cover letter-building tools, and much more! All you need is a library card! Note: If you're a DCPS student, just enter your S-number.

Prepare for what's next

Get Rewarded for Reading Your Favorite Books

Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers is a citywide literacy challenge for students of all ages that runs through 2024. Participants are asked to read 20 minutes a day and to log their reading in Beanstack, a reading challenge app. You'll be awarded digital badges for logging multiple days in a row and for completing other reading-related activities. At the end of the year, the city’s top readers will get prizes!

Learn how to download and use Beanstack.

Get FREE Manga and Comics

Turn your screen into a comic & manga reading experience! With Hoopla, you have instant and free access to hundreds more, on your favorite device!

Calling all manga lovers! Check out Hoopla's vast collection of over 300 titles, all in the authentic right-to-left format. Hoopla's constantly growing collection means both seasoned fans and those new to the format can always find something fresh and exciting to read.  Find popular and award-winning manga series from Tokyopop and Disney or re-discover classics and "essentials" like Astroboy and Neon Genesis Evangelion! 

Get lost in the pages of Hoopla's comics! Whether you're into epic battles, superheroes, or quirky stories, there's something for every comic lover. Whether you're revisiting your favorites or discovering new gems, Hoopla has everything you need to get started or fuel your comics obsession!

Note: New comics drop every Wednesday. Stay ahead of the curve with new releases and new additions and even more comic goodness every week. 

Read & Make Zines at Your Library

A zine (pronounced ZEEN, as in “magazine”) is difficult to define—and that’s on purpose. Zines are made by people who feel strongly enough about something to write, draw, compile, print, and distribute their thoughts about it, and that’s the only requirement! They usually take the form of a small pamphlet, but they can be any size, any length, and about any topic.

Check out the Zine Collection at the Main Library.