Hang out in our teen room! This room houses our Young Adult book collection (one room over from the Young Adult graphic novel collection!) and Video Game collection. Seating in this space is reserved for teens grades 6-12. There are plenty of other seating options for teens throughout the Youth Services section of the library, however this room is reserved exclusively for teens. You’ll find the teen room in the Youth Services section which is on the left when you enter the building. Next to the Teen Room is the Youth Non-fiction Room which has four computers that are reserved for kids, teens, and families to use. You’ll often find teens playing Roblox on these computers after school. In order for everyone to have a chance to use the computers we ask that you limit your computer time to 30 minutes when the library is busy.
Monthly Programs
Changes in Teen Services in Fall 2025
This September we were so sad to say goodbye to our beloved Teen Librarian, Molly DiPadova, while she moves on to be the Youth Services Librarian over in Sunapee. You can still visit her there!
While we work on figuring out how Youth Services are going to work here at RFL, please bear with us with as much patience as you can. For now, we have to suspend our teen book groups and reduce the number of teen-only after school programs. Please reach out to Mo at mchurchill@newport.lib.nh.us with questions and ideas!
Food
After school during the school year, the youth services department sells snacks at cost to teens and kids. The snack cart is cash only, except that punch-cards are available to purchase by credit card at the front desk for $5 or $10. We hold onto the punch-cards so they don’t get lost, so if you would like to pre-purchase snacks, we’ve got you covered! We ask that everyone be responsible for cleaning up any snack-mess after themselves.
Want to donate food to kids? We have a free food cart in the youth services area as well. Sullivan County 4H helps keep it stocked, but there’s always room for more ready-to-eat food or “just add hot water” meals.
Teen Advisory Board:
The second Wednesday of every month (September-May) at 3pm we have Teen Advisory Board (TAB) meetings. TAB is a group of middle and high school students who plan and lead events for teens in Newport, NH at the Richards Free Library. All teens and tweens grades 6-12 are encouraged to join. Teens ages fourteen and over are able to earn volunteer hours through TAB which can count toward the volunteer hours required for graduation.
TAB meets monthly to plan future programs, talk about books that should be added to the collection, and more. Members advise staff on library policies, services, and collections. TAB is responsible for planning and budgeting for one spring program and one fall program.
At meetings we will discuss ideas for the spring and fall programs. Once an idea has been chosen we will plan for the program. This includes budgeting for materials, promoting on social media, crafting any necessary items, gathering supplies, and more. Board members will recommend books and video games for purchase as well as assist the Teen Services Librarian in choosing book group books.
Volunteering at the Library
Teens who are at least 14 years old are eligible to volunteer at the Richards Free Library! If you are interested in volunteering, you can download a volunteer application or pick one up at the front desk.
Annual Reading Challenge
Every year, beginning in January and ending in December, we host a teen reading challenge! This challenge aims to have teens read 12 books each in a different category listed on the Teen Reading Challenge sheet. Teens can participate by filling out a challenge sheet with books they have read in the current calendar year that fit each category. Stop by Teen Services Librarian Molly’s desk to learn more about this year’s Teen Reading Challenge and get some book recommendations!
Teen Summer Reading
Every year the Richards Free Library hosts a Summer Reading Program. It begins in the middle/end of June and lasts until the beginning of August. During this period teens are encouraged to sign up for summer reading and participate by attending summer reading programs and tracking the number of days they spend at least 15 minutes reading. For each 5 days, they will earn a prize book, and for each 10 days, they will earn a prize book and a McDonald’s ice cream coupon. At the end of Summer Reading if teens have attended at least two programs throughout the summer they will be eligible to attend our Teen Lock-In which occurs the last Friday of summer reading after the library closes.
Get to Know Your Teen Services Librarian
You can find Teen Services Librarian Molly near the fire exit of the Youth Services section right across from Youth Services Librarian Miss Mo’s desk. Molly is available to assist with finding books, answering questions about teen programs, chatting about your day, and so much more!
-
RFL September Calendar of Events
In the body of this Blog post is a chronological listing of the events at the RFL for the Month of September, with dates, times, and target audiences noted.
-
August 4th-9th 2025
Monday August 4th: No program, but feel free to come hang out in our teen space and use the computers, coloring pages, or board games. Tuesday August 5th: Frozen T-Shirt Challenge at 2pm! Attempt to unfold and put on a frozen solid t-shirt. For kids, teens, and families. Wednesday August 6th: Paint Your Own Jigsaw…
-
July 28th-August 2nd 2025 Teen Programs
Monday July 28th: Popsocket DIY from 2-4 pm: Decorate a popsocket for your phone using felt and fabric paint/markers. This program is for 6th-12th graders. Tuesday July 29th: No program, but feel free to come hang out in our teen space and use the computers, coloring pages, or board games. Wednesday July 30th: Side Walk…
-
July 21st-26th Teen Programs
Monday July 21st: No program, but feel free to come hang out in our teen space and use the computers, coloring pages, or board games. Tuesday July 22nd: Temporary Tattoos 1-4pm. Use our skin safe markers to create unique designs or use our stencils. This program is for 6th-12th graders. Wednesday July 23rd: No program,…
-
July 14th-19th Teen Programs
Monday July 14th: No program, but feel free to come hang out in our teen space and use the computers, coloring pages, or board games. Tuesday July 15th: Kids and Teens Pendant Craft at 2pm: Join us in the ballroom to decorate a necklace pendant. Wednesday July 16th: Kids and Teens Tie Dye at 2pm:…
-
July 7th-12th 2025 Teen Programs
Monday July 7th: No program, but feel free to come hang out in our teen space and use the computers, coloring pages, or board games. Tuesday July 8th: Air Dry Clay DIY at 3pm. Join us on the 3rd floor of the library in the Elaine Frank teen program room to craft something with air…
