TeenTober at SCLSNJ
Did you know that approximately 14 million middle and high school students are on their own after school? In Somerset County, where individuals aged 18 years or younger makeup almost 22 percent of the population, the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) provides inclusive spaces for students to discover new experiences; form connections with their community; and explore opportunities through programs, resources, materials, and services.
In order to continue to enrich the lives of tweens and teens in the community, SCLSNJ will participate in TeenTober, a month-long commemoration organized by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) that “aims to celebrate teens and promote year-round teen services and literacies,” throughout October.
During TeenTober the Library System will offer a series of virtual and in-branch programs that focus on creative expression, traditional and digital literacy, workforce development, and peer-to-peer engagement.
“Teens are at a moment in their lives where they are developing their identities,” said Jodi Silverman, youth services supervisor. “By engaging with the Library, they are able to evolve in a safe space and discover opportunities they may not have previously considered.”
According to YALSA, libraries “have a strong track record of providing a variety of key services that meet the unique needs of teens.” In fact, data has shown that approximately 97 percent of public libraries have a designated section for teen materials.
“Through programs and resources, teens can connect with their peers to create amazing forms of self-expression,” said Silverman. “I am excited to see their return to our Libraries and be active participants in the community.”
In addition to programming, available digital resources include Brainfuse HelpNow, which offers free one-on-one online tutoring, a writing lab, and more; and LearningExpress Library, which provides interactive tutorials, practice tests, e-books, and other tools for academic skill-building and test preparation.
“SCLSNJ is proud to be participating in YALSA’s TeenTober celebration,” said Christine Jansen, manager of youth services programming and collaborations, public services. “There are a myriad of teen programs throughout the month for teens to connect, explore, share, and discover everything that SCLSNJ has to offer them.”
Jansen continued, “Exciting TeenTober program highlights include: college and career advice from Broadway stars; dancing with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; chatting with New York Times best-selling author Nic Stone; improving scholarship writing by using persuasive techniques; taking Instagram-worthy photos with a smartphone; and so much more!”
Explore virtual programs from home:
Virtual Mystery Challenge (grades 4 and up)
October 2, 2-2:30 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5160475.
Comics Step-by-Step With Gale Galligan (grades 4-12)
October 4, 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5007878.
True or False – Interactive Digital Literacy Game (grades 6-12)
October 5, 5-6 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5144005.
Alvin Ailey Hip Hop Workshop (grades 9-12)
October 6, 5-6 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4981175.
LEAD – Leadership Exploration and Development Club (grades 6-9)
October 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5151845.
Garden State Teen Book Awards Book Talk (grades 6-12)
October 11, 5-6 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5171713.
Murder Mystery Story Progression (grades 6-12)
October 12, 5-6 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5144009.
Meet the Author – Nic Stone (grades 8-12)
October 13, 5-6 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4981176.
Manga Cares – Mizu/Water (grades 6-12)
October 13, 6-7 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5002457.
Persuasive Scholarship Writing (grades 9-12)
October 14, 6-7 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5111834.
Library Loot Share (grades 6-12)
October 15, 4-5 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5059021.
Designing Discords (grades 6-12)
October 19, 4-5 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5111890.
Digital Photography Workshop (grades 6-12)
October 21, 5-6 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4981181.
Teen Paint Night (grades 6-12)
October 21, 6-7:30 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5081000
Song Jeopardy (grades 6-12)
October 26, 6-7 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5144018.
Meet Alex Boniello and Michael Lee Brown of “Dear Evan Hansen” (grades 6-12)
October 28, 5-6 p.m.
Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4981183
Connect with your peers and Library staff through in-branch programs:
Teen Board Game Night (grades 7-12)
October 5, 6-7:30 p.m.
at the Hillsborough branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5287670.
Teen Leadership Committee (grades 6-12)
October 5, 6-7 p.m.
at the Watchung branch, located at 12 Stirling Road in Watchung; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5288697.
Teen Book Chat (grades 8-12)
October 8, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
at the Manville branch, located at 100 South 10th Avenue in Manville; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5288986.
Teen Trivia Night (grades 7-12)
October 12, 6-7 p.m.
at the Hillsborough branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5287677.
Game Time (grades 4-12)
October 13, 3:30-5 p.m.
at the North Plainfield branch, located at 6 Rockview Avenue in North Plainfield; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5285402.
Tween D and D Afternoon (ages 10-16)
October 13, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
October 27, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
at the Somerville branch located at 35 West End Avenue in Somerville; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5291501; and Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5291502.
Teen Leadership Committee (grades 7-12)
October 14, 6-7 p.m.
at the Warren Township branch, located at 42 Mountain Boulevard in Warren Township; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5283610.
Friday Feature Film – “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” (grades 4-12)
October 15, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
at the North Plainfield branch, located at 6 Rockview Avenue in North Plainfield; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5286425.
Teen Leadership Committee (grades 7-12)
October 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
at the Hillsborough branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5287519.
Teen Movie Night (grades 7-12)
October 19, 6-7:45 p.m.
at the Hillsborough branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5287662.
Game Design Workshop – Playing With Fear (grades 6-12)
October 22, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
at the Manville branch, located at 100 South 10th Avenue in Manville; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5288980.
Teen Craft Night – Halloween Origami (grades 7-12)
October 26, 6-7 p.m.
at the Hillsborough branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5287673.
Ace of Cupcakes – Halloween Edition (grades 6-12)
October 27, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
at the North Plainfield branch, located at 6 Rockview Avenue in North Plainfield; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5286467.
Teen Advisory Board (grades 7-12)
October 28, 5-6 p.m.
at the Somerville branch, located at 35 West End Avenue in Somerville; Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/5286444.
For more information about teen offerings at your Library: SCLSNJ.org/research-learn/teens. For more information about TeenTober: ala.org/yalsa/teentober.
About YALSA
YALSA stands for Young Adult Library Services Association. Our mission is to support library staff in alleviating the challenges teens face, and in putting all teens ‒ especially those with the greatest needs ‒ on the path to successful and fulfilling lives. For more information: ala.org/yalsa.
About Somerset County Library System of New Jersey
Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) partners with you to connect, to explore, to share and to discover. Together we enrich lives, expand knowledge and strengthen communities. SCLSNJ branches can be found in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Rocky Hill at Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Somerville, Warren Township, and Watchung. Additionally, there are two SCLSNJ reading stations in Branchburg and Washington Valley. Visit SCLSNJ.org.
