TeenTober

TeenTober is all October Long

In past years, libraries celebrated Teen Reads week and Teen Tech Week during the month of October. The two occasions have since been combined into TeenTober, a month-long celebration of all things teen. For the entire month, we celebrate all of the amazing things teens can enjoy with the library. From services to programs to challenges, tune in throughout the month to check out what is in store. 

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"Discover YA" Reading Challenge on Beanstack

Participants of any age can register for the TeenTober Reading Challenge at www.aclib.us/beanstack or by using the Beanstack app. The focus of the challenge is to expand enjoy Young Adult literature. Log your time spent reading in Beanstack to earn badges. Each badge earned, review written and minute logged helps you to advance in the challenge.  Select winners will receive a Bookbox.

 

 

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Catch #booktoks every week

Follow the Alachua County Library District on Instagram to catch our weekly #booktok videos recommending exciting new books from our collection. These quick videos feature staff talking about the books they love, and will give ideas for your next book binge! 

 

 

photo of five teens having a fun time in the library

Events 

Throughout the month of October we will have special Teen programs all throughout the Library District. Follow the links below to see what's happening at a location near you. 

We've got book groups, a whole slew of crafting events and even parties on offer. Check out these nifty programs!

Special TeenTober Library Events

TeenTober Programming Events

ARCHER BRANCH

  • Painting for Relaxation: Learn Watercolors:  Sat. Oct. 5, 11:00 a.m. Looking for a way to relax while creating art? Painting for Relaxation is a watercolor class that teaches various techniques in a relaxing environment. All supplies are included. Beginners welcome!
  • Tween Book Club:  Wed. Oct. 16, 1:00 p.m. You don’t need to have read the latest pick to attend; discuss your latest favorite! Participants will choose the next book to be the focus of Archer’s Tween Book Club!
  • EPP: English Paper Piecing:  Sat. Oct. 19, 11:00 a.m. EPP: English Paper Piecing is an easy way to learn how to hand stitch and quilt. Participants will learn about supplies and techniques to hand stitch hexies together. This is a beginner class. All supplies are provided.
  • Healthy Relationships For Teens:  Sat. Oct. 26, 11:00 a.m. Learn some basic hand sewing techniques while making your own Day of the Dead or Halloween-themed sugar skull plush. 
  • Creativity Lab:  Sat. Oct. 26, 2:00 p.m. Have fun exploring a different project each month: arts, crafts, monsters, fossils, or dinosaurs - you never know what we'll delve into next...
  • Spooktacular Fun Day:  Thurs. Oct. 31, 2:30 p.m. (all ages). Wear your costume, if you you'd like, and join us for for a spooky treasure hunt, monster games, sound effects/mysterious music, and creepy crafty fun.
    • Throughout the month of October, the Archer branch will also offer a passive program of Halloween origami.

CONE PARK BRANCH

  • Art Club:  Wed. Oct. 30, 4:00 p.m. During this TeenTober edition of Art Club we will be creating spooky embroidery together! All supplies provided, but feel free to bring additional ones if desired.
    • Cone Park branch also offers a regular Art Club program for teens every Wednesday from 4-5 p.m.

HAWTHORNE BRANCH

  • Ghost Portraits:  Thurs. Oct. 17, 4:00 p.m. Get in the October mood by designing and painting a unique little ghost portrait!
  • Cemetarium:  Thurs. Oct. 31, 4:00 p.m. Ever wanted a cemetery themed terrarium? Then stop by and create a cemetarium with us!

HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY

  • Teen Gaming:  Wed. Oct. 2 & Oct. 16, 4:00 p.m. Join us in the Teen Space the first and third Wednesdays of each month for some fun Nintendo Switch gaming. 
  • Teen Art Club:  Tues. Oct. 8, 4:00 p.m. Interested in drawing or painting? Making zines or jewelry? Come try out new art techniques and have fun with new friends!
  • Teen Perler Beads:  Wed. Oct. 9, 3:30 p.m. Teens will use patterns or their own designs to make fusible Perler bead creations. Library staff will iron the beads when complete to fuse each art piece. Once the ironed pieces cool, teens can take their creations home. 
  • Fall Teen Art Show Reception:  Sat.-Sun. Oct. 12-13, all day. The Fall Teen Art Show is for teens ages 12 - 15. All artwork will be on display at the Headquarters Library October 12-13. A brief award ceremony will take place on October 12 at 1 p.m. All are invited to enjoy the artwork and vote on their favorite piece.
  • Decorate a Duck:  Thurs. Oct. 17, 4:00 p.m. Come craft costume and cosplay for rubber duckies! All materials provided. Go high fashion or casual as you like -- just bring your creativity!
  • Pathfinder Society for Teens:  Sun. Oct. 20, 12:30 p.m. Pathfinder Society is a group of gamers across the nation who play the tabletop rpg, Pathfinder. The games played at the library can earn points towards future characters or you can even bring your character with you! No previous experience is required, the Game Master will work with every player to make sure that they are aware of their character's options and assist them with whatever actions (or mischief) they want to get into!
  • TeenTober plushies:  Wed. Oct. 23, 4:00 p.m. Come and create a special spooky plushie from selected patterns--the library will provide the materials and the skills, you just provide the creation.
  • Teen/Tween Book Club:  Wed. Oct. 30, 4:00 p.m. Our book club selection for October is May the Best Man Win by Z.R. Ellor.  Every month we meet to discuss the chosen book and whatever else you've been reading/watching. The teens who come get to choose the next month's book.
  • Halloween Horror Makeup:  Thurs. Oct. 31, 4:00 p.m. Level up your costume skills at the library! Learn the art of gross and gorey makeup effects and practice looks you can put together at home this Halloween. You’ll have the opportunity to practice with professional makeup, but also to experiment with household items you never knew could be spooky.

HIGH SPRINGS BRANCH

  • Fandom Club:  Thurs. Oct. 10, 4:00 p.m. At Fandom Club, we make arts and crafts, learn STEAM, find others like us, and more. All through our shared love of fandom. Come one, come all, and get ready to fan out!

LIBRARY PARTNERSHIP BRANCH

  • 3D Design Club:  Oct. 7, Oct. 8, Oct. 9, Oct. 10, and-Oct. 11, 4:00 p.m. Join us in using Tinkercad to learn the basics of 3D modeling and creating different 3D objects. Items will be printed at the branch and available to be picked up at a later date. Computers and materials will be provided. Registration is Required.
  • Spooky Stickers:  Thurs. Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m. Design and print a spooktacular sticker during chillspace using Canva and the Cricut machine.
  • Let's Talk About It:  Tues. Oct. 22, 3:30 p.m. A local community health educator will present this series of workshops designed to increase teens' confidence in reaching their goals, enhance their communication, and gain healthy relationship skills. Topics will include healthy relationships, saying no, the rules of dating, internet safety, financial literacy, career & high school readiness, mental health & self care, and creating a vision board for the future. Teens who participate will get free snacks! 
  • All About Snakes:  Thurs. Oct. 24, 3:30 p.m. Get ready to slither into the fascinating world of snakes! From diverse species and cool adaptations to conservation efforts and staying safe. Discover the snakes commonly found in your area and learn how to identify them. Plus, enjoy coloring sheets and a Love Letter activity to show your appreciation for these scaly creatures!

MICANOPY BRANCH

  • It's International Sloth Day!:  Sat. Oct. 19, 2:00 p.m. The sloth is a symbol of relaxation, ease, and taking things at one's own pace. Create a rubber band bracelet and attach a sloth charm to it to remind yourself to slow down, be present, and savor each moment.  All ages welcome!

MILLHOPPER BRANCH

  • TeenTober Tunes-Karaoke:  Mon. Oct. 14, 4:00 p.m. Come join us for TeenTober as we warm up our vocal cords and check out some musical inspiration in books and other sources.

NEWBERRY BRANCH

TOWER ROAD BRANCH

  • Teen Advisory Group:  Wed. Oct. 2, 4:00 p.m. An opportunity for teens to make a difference in their library and advise library staff on teen programming, resources, and books.
  • Teen CreateSpace-Spooky Mini Cross-Stich:  Wed. Oct. 30, 4:00 p.m. This TeenTober, learn to cross-stitch a bat, ghost, pumpkin, or another spooky design to get in the Halloween spirit. Never cross-stitched before? No problem! We will have all the supplies needed and can teach you this simple and fun craft.

WALDO BRANCH

  • ArtSpace-- TeenTober--Visual Journaling:  Thurs., Oct. 10 &12, 4:00 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 12, 2:00 p.m. This month, teens, illustrate your journal with images, words, and stories of your current self to share with a future self. No longer a teen? What are your recollections and, perhaps, lessons?  Registration Required.
  • Junior Book Club-TeenTober:  Sat. Oct. 19, 3:00 p.m. This month, we will read and discuss Coraline by Neil Gaiman.

Library Perks 

Did you know that your library card is for more than just checking out books? Here are some other free services that you may be excited to hear about.

  • Do you need volunteer hours for college? Become a teen volunteer by filling out and submitting this form. If you have any questions, please contact our volunteer coordinator at VolunteerServices@aclib.us.
  • Our OverDrive eBook and eAudiobook collection have over 9,400 YA (young adult) titles! You can check out up to 20 of these items at a time right to your phone using the Libby app.
  • You can stream music albums, movies and tv shows from hoopla as well as downloading comics and graphic novels by making an account with your library card number.
  • Every week all year long, our twelve branches all offer regular programming for teens. From gaming to crafts to book groups, find a way to have fun while connecting with other teens. Explore our event calendar to find out what there is for you.
  • Don't have your own home computer? No problem. All twelve of our branches offer computers with internet access as well as the Microsoft suite (and printing!)
  • Don't forget to check out our databases. Transparent will help you learn a foreign language, Issues & Controversies will provide well-sourced arguments for and against popular issues, and Learning Express prepares you for standardized tests and other assessments. Along with these are a whole variety of resources, whether your interests are car repair, genealogy, or finding your next readalike.