Teen Services
Ongoing Programs
Find your next great read! First Reader’s Club
Teen Event:
Doodling & Dirty Sodas*
Tuesday, Sept | 29, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
This is a new event that we hope to offer monthly.
Spend time with friends here at the library doodling
and drawing just for fun. No pressure to be perfect,
just enjoy the unstructured time. We will have sodas
and mix-ins so you can create a custom dirty soda
drink to enjoy while you draw and doodle.
This is for teens ages 12 – 18.
*Registration required.
TeenTober Bookmark Contest
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to create a bookmark
highlighting reading or the Willmar Public Library
and the activities you enjoy doing here. Stop by
the library after October 1st to pick up an entry form.
The deadline for all entries is Oct. 23 by 5:00 p.m.
Bookmarks will be on display (with no names showing)
the week of Oct. 26 and patrons will vote for the winner.
The winner will be announced on Monday, Nov. 2,
and a gift card prize will be awarded. The winning
design will be used to make Willmar Public Library
bookmarks for patrons.
*This event is made possible with a TeenTober grant
from Prairielands Library System.
*Teen Tuesday in the Makerspace:
TeenTober Custom T-Shirts
Tuesday, October 6 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
This month we will be using our Cricut and heat press to
create custom T-shirts. You will have a variety of vinyl
design options to choose from, as well as Tshirt colors.
This program is made possible with a grant
from Prairielands Library Exchange
*Registration is required.
*Tween & Teen Art Kit:
Word Smash on Canvas from
local Artist Jen Anfinson
📣Attention Teens & Tweens
We are moving the Word Smash on Canvas Tween and Teen Art Class from an in-person program
to a Take & Make kit that you can do at home. The kit includes all of the materials needed to make this project,
in addition to access to a video of Jen teaching you the skills needed.
Patrons who have registered for the in-person class will automatically get a kit.
Additional kits are available on a first come first served basis to those who register for one.
*Registration is required.
These will be available to pick up at the library on Thursday, Oct. 15.
If you have any questions, please contact Melissa at the library.
This program is funded in part or in whole with money
from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.
First Chapter Friday
Tween Book Club & Craft
Friday, October 9 | 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Here is a book club just for tweens!
Meet up with friends and learn about some new books
especially for readers ages 8 – 11. We will read
the first chapters of great books and also
have time for a small craft.
Homeschool Hangout
Tuesday, October 20 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
All ages event for families in the area who homeschool.
Hangout at the library and use one of the various
activity kits we offer. Stop in and have some fun!
*Teen Event:
Snack Attack!
Tuesday, October 20 | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Make Apple Nachos with us! You will slice apples and
then pick your toppings. Choose from caramel,
peanut butter, chocolate chips, coconut, and M&M’s.
We will have a bonus Fall cereal snack mix you can
also make this month.
Disclaimer – Food Allergies:
We cannot guarantee that food served at this program
has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy or other allergens.
*Registration is required.
Teen Movie Night:
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Wednesday, October 21 | 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
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (PG-13).
Popcorn and refreshments will be provided.
This program is for teens 13 – 18 only.
No registration is required but please arrive on time
out of respect for everyone watching the movie.
*Fun Friday for Teens:
Pumpkin Decorating & Bingo
Friday, October 23. 25 | 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Celebrate TeenTober with us by decorating artificial
pumpkins. We will provide everything you need to
create a fun fall pumpkin to take home. While
your creation is drying we will play Bingo!
Everyone has a chance to win some fun snacks!
This program is made possible by a gran
t from Prairielands Library Exchange.
*Registration required.
Chess & Checkers Cafe
Saturday, October 24 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
New event at the library! All ages of players are
welcome to come out and play! Enjoy a cup of
coffee or some juice and learn a new or classic move!
We will provide the games and refreshments,
but feel free to bring your own if you wish.
PuzzlePalooza!
Saturday, October 24 | 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Free fun for the whole family! All ages are welcome
to join us in the multipurpose room to do a variety
of puzzles for fun! We will provide jigsaw puzzles
and fall treats. Stay for the whole time, or drop
in when it works for your schedule.
Bring some friends – or make new friends at the library!
Teen Event:
Read & Relax Book Club
Monday, October 26 | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
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.
*Teen Event:
Bad Art Night
Tuesday, October 27 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Give us your worst! No masterpieces allowed!
Don’t even try to be perfect, but have a ton of fun!
Come to the library and use our craft and art supplies
to create the “worst” piece of art you can imagine.
Check out the work of others and vote for the creation
you think is the most awful. The winner gets a
trophy and the honor of being the most awful
artist of the day. This program is made possible
with a grant from Prairielands Library Exchange.
*Registration required.
Ongoing Programs
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.
