Teen Services
Ongoing Programs
Find your next great read! First Reader’s Club
Summer Reading Program
June 1 through August 21
We are so excited for our Summer Reading Program here at the Willmar Public Library!
Our theme this year is Plant a Seed, Read! It will run from June 1 through August 21,
and there will be programs for patrons of all ages. Read and attend events to earn prizes!
We will have a number of special events for children, teens, and adults throughout the summer
to keep everyone engaged in reading, learning, and staying active.
The more you read and participate, the better your chances are to earn one of our grand prizes!
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye on
our website for announcements and registration information.
Prizes and programs made possible with support from our sponsors:
Friends of the Willmar Public Library
Janning ENT
Jennie-O
Lulu Bean’s
Willmar Community Foundation
Prairielands Library Exchange
Healthy Fusion
MN Clean Water & Land Legacy Amendment
Marcus Construction
Teen Movie Night:
Now You See Me, Now You Don’t
Wednesday, May 20 | 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Hang out with us at the library and enjoy a free movie
with your friends! We will be watching
Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (PG-13).
Popcorn and refreshments will be provided.
This program is for teens 13 – 18 only. No registration
is required but we ask that you arrive on time out
of respect for everyone watching the movie.
Fun Friday for Teens
Friday, May 22 | 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Are you looking for something to do after school?
Bring some friends to the library and hang out in the
multipurpose room. We will plan an event on the fourth
Friday of each month specifically for teens ages 12 -18.
This month we will be having a Lego Day! Free build
with Legos, or challenge friends to see who can make
the tallest towers. You can also enjoy a Lego
movie and snacks while you create!
Teen Event:
Read & Relax Book Club
The library will be closed on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day.
There will be no Read & Relax Book Club this month.
Our next Read & Relax Book Club for Teens
will be Monday, June 22, at 5:00 p.m.
Teen Tuesday in the Makerspace:
Rubber Stamping Cards & Crafts*
Tuesday, June 2 | 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Join us to create greeting cards and crafts using our
collection of rubber stamps and colored ink
in the Makerspace. We have a lot of designs and
themes to choose from! Please register in
advance due to limited space and supplies.
Register here.
Late Night at the Library!
Summer Reading Program Kick-off
Party and Mini Golf
Friday, June 5 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Teens ages 12 – 18 are invited to attend our first
Late Night at the Library! We will be kicking off
the start of the Teen Summer Reading Program
with food and fun at the library after it is closed
to the public! Participants will get to be creative
and set up an indoor mini-golf course using the
mini golf kit from Prairielands Library Exchange.
Bring some friends with you – the more, the merrier!
You must be at the library by 5:30 to attend. If you
arrive late you will not be admitted, and if you leave
early you will not be admitted back in to the
building. Please be sure your transportation is
here to pick you up at the end of the event at 7:30 p.m.
Author Visit & Writing Workshop
with Erin Makela
Tuesday, June 9 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Come to the library and meet Minnesota Author,
Erin Makela! Her book Worthy of Trust was named a
finalist for the Minnesota Book Award for Young Adult
Literature in 2026. Erin, a middle school history
teacher from Worthington, MN, will share
excerpts of her book, as well as tell about the writing
and publishing process with a mini-writers workshop.
This event is best for kids ages 8 to 18.
Those who attend will have a chance to win an
autographed copy of her book!
Tween/Teen Container Gardening
with Sandy the U of M
Extension Master Gardener*
Tween/Teen Pizza Garden Planter
Friday, June 12 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Plant a Seed, Read! is the theme for summer reading
this year. What better way to celebrate than by learning
how to garden? Meet Sandy, a University of Minnesota
Extension Master Gardener, and learn how to plant
your own Pizza Garden to take home with you in
a planter! The little container gardens will contain herbs
and tomatoes that you can use to make your own pizza when
things have grown! Please register in advance so we can plan
the correct amount of supplies. If this date and time do not
work for you, another session will be held June 24.
Register here for June 12 Pizza Garden
Tween/Teen Food & Flowers Garden Planter
Friday, June 12 | 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
Plant a Seed, Read! is the theme for summer reading this
year. What better way to celebrate than by learning how to
garden? Meet Sandy, a University of Minnesota
Extension Master Gardener, and learn how to plant
your own Food and Flowers Planter to take home with you in
a small container garden! The planters will contain
flowers and veggies that you can eat when things
have grown! Please register in advance so we can plan the
correct amount of supplies.
Register here for Food & Flowers Garden.
Boba & Anime
Friday, june 12 | 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Join us to watch anime and enjoy some boba tea with friends.
This program is for teens 12 – 18 only. No registration is
required but please plan to arrive on time so you don’t
miss out on your boba tea.
Snack Attack!
Pudding “Dirt” Cups*
Tuesday, June 16 | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
This month our Snack Attack! will go with our Plant a Seed, Read!
theme for summer reading. We will be making Pudding “Dirt”
Cups and enjoy eating them when we finish preparing them. You
will also get to take the recipe home with you to make this for
family and friends. Please register in advance so we can have
enough food for each participant.
Register here for Snack Attack! “Dirt” Pudding Cups.
Teen Movie Night
Rental Family (PG-13)
Wednesday, June 17 | 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Hang out with us at the library and enjoy a free movie with
your friends! We will be watching Rental Family (PG-13).
Popcorn and refreshments will be provided. This program
is for teens 13 – 18 only. No registration is required but we
ask that you arrive on time out of respect for everyone
watching the movie.
Teen Read & Relax Book Club
Monday, June 22 | 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
All teens are invited to join us in the multipurpose room to
meet new friends, enjoy treats while you read, and talk
about what you’ve read. If you’d prefer not to discuss what
you’ve read, there is no pressure to participate – you are
welcome to just listen. Bring a blanket and/or pillow to help
you be comfy. Stop in to read with us and unwind for a
while at the library. You may stop in or leave at any time as
your schedule allows.
Tween/Teen Pizza Garden Planter
with Sandy the U of M Extension
Master Gardener*
Wednesday | June 24, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Plant a Seed, Read! is the theme for summer reading
this year. What better way to celebrate than by learning
how to garden? Meet Sandy, a University of Minnesota
Extension Master Gardener, and learn how to plant
your own Pizza Garden Planter to take home with you in
a small container garden! The planters will contain herbs
and tomatoes that you can use to make your own pizza when
things have grown! Please register in advance so we can plan
the correct amount of supplies.
Register here for June 24 Pizza Garden Planter program
Find your next great read!
Are you a teen stuck in a reading rut? Not sure what to read
next? Team up with the Teen Librarian to find your next
great read! Teens are invited to reserve a time to meet with
Melissa to talk about books you might enjoy reading next.
For ages 12 – 18.
How does this work?
- Fill out the questionnaire about your reading interests and appointment availability
- Melissa will contact you to set up an appointment at the library.
- Meet in person for 20 – 30 minutes to talk about the books she thinks you might enjoy based on your answers to the survey. During that time you can talk about what you think of those suggestions and even read the first few pages or so of each book. If they aren’t grabbing your attention, take this time to browse the shelves together to find something different you might like even better.
- Pick some books to take home and read. Remember to bring your library card along so you can check things out on the day of your meeting.
First Reader’s Club
Teens ages 13 and up are invited to join our First Reader’s Club
at Willmar Public Library.
To participate in this new club, you will read the newest books we’ve
added to our Young Adult (YA) section, and then do a short review
of the book when you are done. These reviews will then be on display
at the library so other teens can use them to decide if they would also
enjoy the book. (Only your first name and age will be included on the review.)
You may do one review per month, and you will receive a small thank
you gift after every 4th review you submit. Participants will also be
invited to meet in person at the library every couple of
months to discuss books with other teens.
To participate, take a look at the list of new books and see what
grabs your attention. Each book listed is linked to our online catalog
where you can see a picture of the cover and a summary that might
help you make a decision. (Due to the content of some YA books,
please be sure to check the age range listed for the book
you select to ensure it is a good fit for you.)
After you’ve chosen the book you’d like to read for the month,
email Melissa and she will put the book on hold for you. When you
pick up the book, you’ll also get your review sheet to fill out when
you are finished reading. When you return the book, please return
the review sheet directly to a library staff member to be sure
it gets to Melissa so you get credit for the review.
Still have questions? Contact Melissa and she will be happy to help.
