Teen Book Box
Reader Subscription Service
Ages 12-18
Reserve a Teen Book Box on our website by filling out our Book Box form and our Teen Librarian will use your reading preferences to create a subscription box just for you.
Included in your package will be a book or two tailored to your reading preferences, a themed snack, and other small goodies. Your box will be set aside and checked out to you on our hold shelf. This is a zero pressure individualized guide for finding a new favorite book.
First come, first served. Our number of boxes per month is limited.
Take & Make – Tiny Art Show
Ages 12+
Month of May
Scoop up this supply kit and gain a tiny canvas and paint set. There’s always room for art! The Teen Department creates a monthly series of free make and take 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.
Teen Contest – What Would You Grow?
Ages 12-18
Month of May
Would you grow food and/or flowers? Tell us about your dream garden and give the environment some love by taking part in our interactive display this month. To participate, visit our Teen Department for a form or email your thoughts to Jessica at jbranciforte@essexlib.org.
Simply draw or describe your plan in a few sentences. One lucky winner will receive a seed bomb kit, plants, and potting materials to create a mini growing space.
Dungeons & Dragons (Teens)
Ages 13-18
Thursday, May 14, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 28, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, June 11, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, June 25, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, July 9, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday, July 23, 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. Registration encouraged. New players welcome.
Teen Advisory Board Meeting
Ages 13-18
Saturday, May 9, 3:00 PM
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.
Teen Snack & Chat
Ages 12-18
Tuesday, May 13, 4:00 PM
Topic: May the Day Keep You by Jill Baguchinsky
The vote is in! You asked for a book chat on the April 2026 release of May the Dead Keep You. Perfect for fans of Wuthering Heights and Don’t Let the Forest In, this gothic horror novel is about the pasts that haunt us and the stories we decide to make for ourselves. We want your thoughts!
Copies of the book will be available at the library before and after the discussion. You do not need to have read the book to join in.
Grow a Rare Plant with Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Ages 12+
Thursday, May 14, 3:30 PM
We asked and Baker Creek delivered! Thanks to a generous contribution by the rare seed company, you can join us to plant your choice of white strawberries, six inch tomato plants, purple carrots, rainbow corn, pink dandelions and more.
All planting materials for this event will be provided by the Essex Library. Registration is encouraged as space is limited.
Drop In DIY
Ages 12-18
Tuesdays, June – August
Essex Library Teen Department
In the mood to make something? Drop in on Tuesday afternoons this summer to create something new and get out of the heat.
Our offerings will include: retro fortune tellers, tiny desk aquariums, perler bead video game characters, sketching, stitching, junk journaling, machine sewing, sticker by number, magazine collage and more. Registration is not required.
Teen Volunteer Program
Ages 12-18
The Essex Library Teen Department is looking for young adult volunteers. All teen volunteers are trained to help us organize our book collection, review new book possibilities, design displays, and create art used in the Teen area and at the front desk. There are also opportunities to mentor younger children and to help our Teen Librarian develop and run programs.
Being a library volunteer looks great on your resume, helps with job experience, and delivers an avenue to help your peers and the greater community.
