Teens

Teen Space

Photo of Ames Public Library's Teen Space with "TEENS" above doors and colorful room showing through doorway

Did you know there's a room in the Library just for teens? Hang out, play some games, or do some reading in the Teen Space.

The Teen Space is open:
Monday-Thursday: 4-8pm
Friday: 4-6pm
Saturday: 1-6pm
Sunday: 1-5

 

Teen Advisory Group

The Teen Advisory Group (TAG) helps the Library plan programs for teens and pick out books for teens.

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Personalized Picks

Need some book recommendations?

Fill out our Personalized Picks online form to tell us about what you want to read. Our experts will put together a custom book list based on your responses and e-mail it to you!

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Upcoming Teen Events

This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Summer Reading Challenge 2025

All Day 6/1–8/24
Family, Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Ames Public Library
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Summer at the Library
Program Details:

 

LEVEL UP your summer fun with Ames Public Library!

Do you love free stuff? Are you between the ages of 0 and 120?


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Mary Greeley Medical Center at APL

11:00am–1:00pm
Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Lisa Fawcett Nilsson Study Room - 2nd Floor
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Social Services
Program Details:


Staff from Mary Greeley Medical Center will be available in the Library to talk about inpatient and outpatient mental health services in the Ames community.

  • Mondays, 11am-1pm on the second floor

 


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens

11:30am–12:30pm
Family, Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Health/Fitness, Special Event
Program Details:

 

Having a full stomach of good food is important! Eat a free lunch weekdays this summer from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Library's Auditorium.


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

Intro to AI (for kids!)

1:00pm–2:00pm
Family, Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Class/Workshop, Presentation, Special Event, Summer at the Library, Technology
Program Details:

 

Have you ever wondered what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is and how to use it? 


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

The Bridge Home

11:00am–2:00pm
Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Jonie & John Fitzsimmons Study Room - 1st Floor
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Social Services
Program Details:

 


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens

11:30am–12:30pm
Family, Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Health/Fitness, Special Event
Program Details:

 

Having a full stomach of good food is important! Eat a free lunch weekdays this summer from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Library's Auditorium.


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens

11:30am–12:30pm
Family, Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Health/Fitness, Special Event
Program Details:

 

Having a full stomach of good food is important! Eat a free lunch weekdays this summer from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Library's Auditorium.


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

"Magic: The Gathering" Card Game Club

1:00pm–3:00pm
Family, Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Rotary Room
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Meetup, Summer at the Library
Program Details:

Come join other enthusiasts of "Magic: The Gathering" Trading Card Game to explore, learn, and play the game. We'll meet up Wednesdays, July 2 - August 13. 


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

 

Stream & Download

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Bridges

Browse, borrow, and enjoy e-audiobooks, e-books, and videos on your computer or tablet. 

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Online Learning Tools

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ABC Mouse

Check out ABC Mouse for award-winning educational games, puzzles, books and other fun interactive learning activities for kids age 2 to 6. It’s free to use in the Ames Public Library! In Library Use Only

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America's News/Ames Tribune from NewsBank

Search local job fairs, companies in the news, state and national business, economic and employment trends. Find diverse perspectives on topics related to job searching, consumer spending and the housing market. Updated daily. 

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GCF LearnFree

If you need a quick brush up on your Microsoft Office or other technology skills GCF LearnFree is the place to start. Check out their more than 125 self-paced tutorials for math, career, reading, every day life skills, and more. 

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Khan Academy

Khan Academy's mission is to provide free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere, and they’ve partnered with institutions like NASA and the Museum of Modern Art to do so. Create an account and you'll have access to videos, exercises, and your own learning dashboard as you study at your own pace. 

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Mango Languages

Mango Languages

Powered by intelligent technology and an adaptive algorithm, Mango empowers you to communicate with confidence, preparing you for uncharted experiences with language and culture. Challenge yourself to discover something new. Start the conversation.

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Novelist Plus

NoveList is a fiction database that provides subject heading access, reviews, annotations, and much more for over 120,000 fiction titles. It also includes other content of interest to fiction readers, such as Author Read-alikes, Book Discussion Guides, BookTalks, and Feature Articles. 

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