Teen Services
Ongoing Programs
Find your next great read! First Reader’s Club
Summer Reading Program
June 1 through August 21
Register online here
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
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
* July Programs *
Teen Tuesday in the Makerspace:
Button Making*
Tuesday, July 7 | 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Join us to create unique pin-back buttons with our button
maker in the Makerspace. We have a lot of upcycled books
and colorful paper to choose from, or you can draw your own
designs! Please register in advance due to limited space and supplies.
Register online here
Boba & Anime
Friday, July 10 | 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.
Tween/Teen Succulent Terrarium
Art with Meredith Semel*
Wednesday, July 15 | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Visiting Artist Meredith Semel will teach you how to make
a living work of art in this Succulent Terrarium Art program.
You will be given all the materials you need: a glass container,
rocks, succulents, etc. that you can arrange to make a work
of beautiful design all on your own. This is best for ages 8 – 18.
Please register in advance so we can plan the proper amount
of supplies. Register online here
This project is funded in part or in whole with money from
Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.
Teen Movie Night:
A Wrinkle in Time (PG)
Wednesday, July 15 | 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 A Wrinkle in Time (PG).
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.
Tween/Teen Flower Design Class
with Rustic Designs Flower Farms*
Monday, July 20 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Come to the library and meet Mary from Rustic
Designs Flower Farm! You will learn how to
arrange flowers from the flower farm to create
unique bouquets to take home and enjoy or
give as a gift to family or friends. This is best
for ages 10 – 18, and we ask that younger kids
be accompanied by an adult for this program.
Please register in advance so we can plan
the proper amount of supplies.
Register online here
Late Night at the Library!
Laser Tag
Friday July 24 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Teens ages 12 – 18 are invited to Late Night at the Library!
We will play Laser Tag in the library after it is closed
to the public! Our laser tag kit is provided by
Prairielands Library Exchange. Bring some friends
for snacks, and fun games of laser tag! You must be at
the library by 5:30 to attend. If you arrive late you will
not be able to attend and if you leave early you will not
be admitted back in. Please be sure your transportation
is here to pick you up at the end of the event promptly
at 7:30 p.m.
Teen Read & Relax Book Club
Monday, July 27 | 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.
* August Programs *
Unbound Teen Lit Fair
at SMSU in Marshall, MN
Click to see larger image
Monday, August 3 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Free event! Transportation on your own.
All teens and families can attend this free event.
Meet local Minnesota authors selling their books,
all kinds of activities, trivia and crafts. The guest
speakers are Minnesota authors Julianna Brandt
and Geoff Herbach. More information will be
shared as the date of this event gets closer.
Teen Tuesday in the Makerspace:
DIY Stickers*
Tuesday, August 4 | 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Learn how to use our Makerspace Cricut and other
craft items to create unique stickers! We will provide
all of the supplies, you will provide the creativity.
Make stickers to brighten the day of friends and
family, or use them to decorate stationery of
your own. Due to limited space and supplies,
registration is required for this event.
Register online here
Tween/Teen Paint & Pops*
Wednesday, August 12 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon of painting! Create your own
individual artwork with acrylic paints on canvas. Enjoy
different flavors of pop and popcorn as a treat. Supplies
are limited so registration is required. This event, for
teens ages 10-18, is made possible by the Prairielands
Library Exchange.
Register online here
This project is funded in part or in whole with money from
Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.
Boba & Anime
FFriday, August 14 | 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!
Fruit Smoothies*
Tuesday, August 18 | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
This month we will be making Fruit Smoothies!
We will provide a variety of fruits and you get to decide
what combination will make your smoothie delicious.
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 online here
Teen Movie Night:
Lilo & Stitch (PG)
Wednesday, August 19 | 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 Lilo & Stitch – Live Action (PG).
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.
Late Night at the Library!
Teen Summer Reading Pizza Party*
Friday, August 21 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the end of our Summer Reading Program
and all of the hard work you put in reading for prizes!
Bring some friends to the library and eat pizza,
play games and watch some movies.
Please register by Thursday, August 20.
Register online here
Teen Read & Relax Book Club
Monday, August 24 | 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.
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.
