There’s a lot going on for teens at the Polk County Public Library this month. Check out all the fun events happening for middle and high school students in August. The library offers these programs to encourage young adults to read for the fun of it and, as always, all activities are free.

The month kicks off with a “Teens Take Over” event on Friday, Aug.1 from 7-11 p.m. Teens will take over the library after hours and enjoy food, games, crafts and more. This event is part of 2014 National Teen Lock-In, so teens at libraries across the country will compete to win the photo scavenger hunt and Minute To Win It competition. The highlight of the evening will be a late night virtual chat with Marissa Meyer, author of The Lunar Chronicles series. To attend this event, register with Jen Pace, Youth Services Librarian, at 828-894-8721 x227 or jpace@polklibrary.org. All teens who attend must also have a signed permission slip from a parent/guardian (which can be completed at the start of the event).

Next up is a Divergent party and film screening on Aug. 12 from 2-5 p.m. Teens are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite faction’s colors for a costume contest, crafts, food and of course the movie (based on the best-selling young adult novel by Veronica Roth).

The Teen Book Club’s next meeting is Aug. 21 at 4 p.m. The Maze Runner by James Dashner will be discussed. At 5 p.m., craft night begins. Local jewelry artist Julie Arrington will demonstrate how to make earrings and assist teens in creating their designs. All materials will be provided but teens who wish to attend the earring making class must sign up in advance.

The drawings for the grand prize winners will also be at Teen Night on Aug. 21. Teens have until then to enter their names by marking off five in a row on their Summer Reading Program BINGO cards. The maximum number of entries is 12 per teen, if they complete the entire BINGO card. Up for grabs: a $35 Amazon gift card and (as determined by members of the Teen Book Club) a swag bag full of memorabilia from series and authors such as Dr. Who, Sherlock, Game of Thrones, Divergent, Marvel, John Green and Supernatural. You do not have to be present to win.

Teen Night at the Polk County Public Library is on the third Thursday of every month. Teen Book Club starts at 4 p.m. All teens who attend book club meetings receive a free copy of next month’s book. Then there is a movie or special activity at 5 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and meets in the Community Room of the Main Library, located at 1289 West Mills Street in Columbus.

 

-— article submitted by Jen Pace