Teen Summer Announcement:
Get ready for a summer of prizes with the Essex Library! Students ages 12 – 18 that participate in our summer reading challenge will earn free pizza, ice cream, and books. Visit the library to spin our prize wheel and earn extra raffle tickets toward our grand prize.
Put it on your calendar, the Teen Summer Reading Challenge begins June 10th and runs through August 26th!
Dungeons & Dragons (Teens)
Ages 13-18
Thursday, May 8, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 22, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, June 12, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, June 26, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, July 10, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, July 24, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, August 14, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, August 28, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Come create your own character and join the adventure where we will fight monsters and explore new lands. Both new and experienced players are welcome. These sessions are for teen players.
Sessions held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, unless otherwise noted.
Valley Regional High School Robotics Showcase
Ages 10 – 18
Do you have an interest in robotics? Join the VRHS Robotics Team “Human Error” to get up close and personal with some incredible robots. Meet Noj, Human Error’s newest robot (recent 2025 First Robotics competitor) and have a chance to interact with some LEGO Robotics from First Lego League.
No prior robotics experience is necessary. Registration is required.
Teen Advisory Board Meeting
Ages 13 – 18
Join our Teen Advisory crew! We’re recruiting teens of all ages to help us make the library a better place for young adults. Help us choose books, plan programs, design the teen department and mentor young readers, all the while earning volunteer service hours. Tell us how to best serve your community and help us follow through.
Snacks provided. Registration is required as space is limited.
Seed Bomb Workshop
Ages 12+
Support local wildlife and spread joy by “bombing” empty garden space with clay creations containing native seeds. Make a bag of seed bombs and go forth into your community to encourage the return of important pollinating species. The library will provide all needed supplies at this event. Registration is required.
Buddy Up!
Ages 13 – 18
Earn community service hours and share friendship, fluency, and confidence with an elementary aged book buddy here at the Essex Library. Each teen volunteer (aged 13-18) is paired with a younger reader (aged 4-8) for a relaxed hour of literacy fun. Ms. Jess and Ms. Nicole will provide the supplies, activities, and environment, but most of your time will be spent reading aloud with a younger student.
Registration is required to ensure that each reader is matched with a mentor.
YA Book Society – Snack and Chat
Ages 12+
Are you a book lover? An avid reader? Perhaps you relate to your favorite book in a very real way. We have a lot to talk about. Welcome to YA Book Society. We gather to chat about favorite teen titles and learn about upcoming releases. We host special guests and focus on “Society Selections.”
Book Society members get first dibs on our collection of new YA library books, help us write shelf talkers and enjoy bookish prizes like galleys (advanced reader copies) sent by publishers. Snack and chat with us. Become a part of our literary squad!
Teen Contest – Teen Playlist Contest
Ages 13 – 18
Month of April
Big prize announcement! Help us celebrate the rise of the bookish playlist. One lucky winner will receive a Victrola Bluetooth Record Player and Multimedia Center with Speakers as well as a record of choice from our collection. Identify a young adult book that you’ve enjoyed and create a playlist of moody vibes from known artists based on story, character and setting. No more than 10 songs please!
Email your playlist and a quick description to Jessica at jbranciforte@essexlib.org by April 30th. Our winner will be announced during the first weekend in May.
Teen Genre Spotlight: Poetry and Verse
Month of April
Visit the Teen Department for a display of our favorite books in verse. These titles may take less time to read, but don’t let that fool you. Each is often very powerful if you’re looking for an emotional read. Sometimes a book in prose delivers just the right thing at the right time for our readers.
2026 Teen Nutmeg Titles Released
Teen Department
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Looking for a good book? You’re guaranteed a thoughtful recommendation with the 2026 Nutmeg Nominee List. The Nutmeg Selection Committee is comprised of Teen Librarians, Media Specialists and students.
Once the titles are chosen and announced this May, teen readers can vote for a favorite book in the middle and high school categories. Stop by the Essex Library on May first for access to the 2026 nominees!
Take & Make – Painted Photo Frame
Ages 12+
Month of May
Photo memories are made magic with a hand painted wooden frame for your desk. Grab a kit bag and design away! The Teen Department creates a monthly series of free take and make art projects for our crew.
Ages 12+ please. First come, first serve. Send a photo to jbranciforte@essexlib.org or show us your finished project for a chance to be honored in our crafty D.I.Y. hall of fame.
Volunteers Needed!
We can’t create a dynamic Young Adult Department without your help. Earn an hour of community service by submitting a Teen Services Survey or Teen Book Review. Both of these opportunities can be found on our website or in paper format in the Teen Department of our library.
We are always looking for volunteers ages 12+ for different events and Teen Space projects. Contact Jessica, our Teen Librarian through email at jbranciforte@essexlib.org.
