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. You’ll find the teen room in the Youth Services section which is on the left when you enter the building. 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 grades 6-12.
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 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. Due to persistent behavior issues with Roblox and other multi-player games, computer users are no longer allowed to play Roblox in any form, or any other game in a multi-player format. (As of August 2026, Minecraft and Fortnite are allowed in single-player mode.)
Monthly Programs
Changes in Teen Services in 2026
Our new Teen Services Library Assistant, Liz, ran a wonderful Teen Summer Reading Program and is all ready to jump into the school year. We are excited to offer more drop-in crafts for teens this fall, as well as other programs. Please reach out to Liz or Mo with your ideas for teen programs and services!
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.
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
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 an ice cream coupon. Check our website blog, Facebook Page, or calendar for more information about upcoming teen events.
-
August 2026 Calendar
Wed@11 Family Story Time! Everyone is welcome at this traditional storytime with singing and stories! Babies and children up to age 5 will find something to enjoy! Fri@4 Farmer’s Market Story Time! Join Ms. Mo for a read-aloud on the Newport Common at the weekly farmer’s market whenever the weather allows! Sat@10-2 Dungeons and Dragons…
-
Teen Summer Reading Calendar!
June 18th 11:00am “Birds Are Dinosaurs,” Summer Kickoff. Are raptors related to velociraptors? Find out in this animal ambassador program with VINS and find out all about birds and their long-lost relatives! All ages. June 22nd Teen Sign Up Day! Sign up for summer reading today, or any day June 10th- August 5th! June 24th…
-
July 2026 Calendar
Date Event Wed@11 Family Story Time! Everyone is welcome at this traditional storytime with singing and stories! Babies and children up to age 5 will find something to enjoy! Fri@4 Farmer’s Market Story Time! Join Ms. Mo for a read-aloud on the Newport Common at the weekly farmer’s market whenever the weather allows! Sat@10-2 Dungeons…
-
April 2026 Calendar
Here is the events calendar for April! Look for adult programs in purple, teen programs in blue, programs for both kids and teens in green, and programs for children and families in yellow. Download the April 2026 Calendar
-
RFL December Calendar
To download the calendar, scroll to the bottom of this post! 12/1 Friends of the RFL meeting 10am. Monthly business and decorating for the Holidays! 12/3 Temporary Tattoo Drawing (Kids and teens), 3pm. Come use our stencils and skin safe markers or make your own designs! 12/4 Teen Hangout (Teens grades 6-12), 2:30-4pm. Join a…
-
Youth Service Room Renovations
We have some recent developments in Youth Services that we are proud to announce! The Tomie DePaola Children’s Program Room on the 2nd floor has finished undergoing it’s refresh/renovation and is now back in use as a program room. Thanks to a grant from the Roy M. Malool Family Foundation, we have been able to…
