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!

Try it out >>

 

Upcoming Teen Events

Art Walk Book Sale

All Day 6/1 - 6/4
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Lobby
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts/Crafts, Book Sale
Program Details:
  Celebrate the Downtown Ames Art Walk with great deals on featured items Thursday through Sunday at Literary Grounds bookstore in the Library's lobby.  Shop for gently-used books on art, architecture, design, photography, poetry, t...

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.

Summer Reading Challenge 2023

All Day 6/1 - 8/22
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Ames Public Library
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Summer at the Library
Program Details:
  Do you love free stuff? Are you between the ages of 0 and 120? Then join our Summer Reading Challenge starting June 1 - August 22 and earn prizes for tracking your reading!   Three Ways to Play: Visit amespubliclibrary...

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.

Community and Family Resources

11:00am - 1:00pm
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 Community and Family Resources will be available in the Library to provide information about addiction, substance abuse treatment, problem gambling treatment, and mental health therapy.  They can also provide assistance...

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.

The Bridge Home

4:00pm - 7:00pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Lisa Fawcett Nilsson Study Room - 2nd Floor
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Social Services
Program Details:
  Ames Public Library is partnering with The Bridge Home to provide easy access to critical services. Staff from The Bridge Home will be available in the Library to assist individuals and families on the verge of—or experiencing—homelessnes...

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.

The Bridge Home

11:00am - 2:00pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Lisa Fawcett Nilsson Study Room - 2nd Floor
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Social Services
Program Details:
  Ames Public Library is partnering with The Bridge Home to provide easy access to critical services. Staff from The Bridge Home will be available in the Library to assist individuals and families on the verge of—or experiencing—homelessnes...

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.

Proud Place Ames

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Dale H. Ross Board Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Meetup
Program Details:
  Proud Place Ames is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ teens to share common experiences, hang out, craft, and learn together.  For more information, email our teen librarian, Ethan, at eatwell@amespubliclibrary.org. No registration is req...

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.

IowaWORKS at the Library

9:30am - 12:30pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Rotary Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Social Services
Program Details:
  Ames Public Library is partnering with IowaWORKS to provide easy access to critical services in our community. Come by to speak with an IowaWORKS Career Planner for individualized, one-on-one career services. Career Planners can assist...

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.

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens

11:30am - 12:30pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Health/Fitness, Summer at the Library
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. Lunch is free to all youth 18 years and younger; meals for adults accompanying youth are $3.50. (S...

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.

IowaWORKS at the Library

1:30pm - 3:30pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Rotary Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Social Services
Program Details:
  Ames Public Library is partnering with IowaWORKS to provide easy access to critical services in our community. Come by to speak with an IowaWORKS Career Planner for individualized, one-on-one career services. Career Planners can assist...

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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Brainfuse Help Now

Stuck on a tough homework assignment? Looking for test prep resources? Brainfuse offers virtual live tutoring, a 24-hour writing assignment review, study groups, flashcards, and can even help create a study plan. Find test prep for college entrance exams and ASVAB. Adult learners will find tutoring and study guides just for adults, as well as computer training courses, and study guides for the U.S. Citizenship Test, TABE, TOEFL, GED, and more. 

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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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TumbleBookLibrary

Want a fun, 21st century alternative to print picture books? TumbleBookLibrary has a great interactive collection of stories with sound, music, animation, and narration. Have your favorite book read as you follow along and enjoy the story. Be sure to check out their book of the day!

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Teen Rainbow Books

  • Cover image for What If Someone I Know Is Gay?

    What If Someone I Know Is Gay?

    Eric Marcus

    Offers answers to questions young readers might ask about gay people, whether those questions concern a friend, a family member, or themselves.

  • Cover image for Beautiful Music for Ugly Children

    Beautiful Music for Ugly Children

    Kirstin Cronn-Mills

    The award-winning author of The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind presents the story of teen DJ Gabe, a transgendered youth who knows himself to be a boy trapped in a girl's body and whose efforts to gain acceptance are threatened by a violent gang of bullies. Original.

  • Cover image for Who's That Girl

    Who's That Girl

    Blair Thornburgh

    This laugh-out-loud debut is filled with hilarious awkward encounters, a supportive LGBTQ organization, and too many cheesy lyrics to count—all with the compulsive readability of Audrey, Wait! and Boy Meets Boy. Junior Nattie McCullough has always been that under-the-radar straight girl who hangs out in the cafeteria with her gay-straight alliance friends. She’s never been the girl that gets the guy, let alone the girl that gets a hit song named after her.

  • Cover image for The Porcupine of Truth

    The Porcupine of Truth

    Bill Konigsberg

    Spending his summer in Billings, Montana, to help care for the dying alcoholic father he never knew, Carson Smith meets a beautiful runaway and a pastor who holds a secret about Carson's long-missing grandfather. By the award-winning author of Out of the Pocket. Simultaneous eBook.

  • Cover image for The Letter Q

    The Letter Q

    Sarah Moon, James Lecesne

    Collects letters from such famous contributors as Brian Selznick, Michael Cunningham, and Amy Bloom to offer hope and support in the face of prejudice.

  • Cover image for The Prince and the Dressmaker

    The Prince and the Dressmaker

    Jen Wang

    Prince Sebastian has a secret. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia. Sebastian's secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances. But how long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend?

  • Cover image for Lizard Radio

    Lizard Radio

    Pat Schmatz

    Fifteen-year-old bender Kivali has had a rough time in a gender-rigid culture. Abandoned as a baby and raised by Sheila, an ardent nonconformist, Kivali has always been surrounded by uncertainty. Where did she come from? Is it true what Sheila says, that she was deposited on Earth by the mysterious saurians? Now she's in CropCamp, with all of its schedules and regs, and the first real friends she's ever had. Strange occurrences and complicated relationships raise questions Kivali has never before had to consider.

  • Cover image for The Inexplicable Logic of My Life

    The Inexplicable Logic of My Life

    Benjamin Alire Saenz

    "A story set on the American border with Mexico, about family and friendship, life and death, and one teen struggling to understand what his adoption does and doesn't mean about who he is"--

  • Cover image for Love Dares You

    Love Dares You

    Christos Gage, Rebekah Isaacs, Joss Whedon

    "This volume reprints the comic-book series Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 10, #11-15, from Dark Horse Comics"--Title page verso.

  • Cover image for Brazen

    Brazen

    Pnlope Bagieu

    With her characteristic wit and dazzling drawings, celebrated graphic novelist Penelope Bagieu profiles the lives of these feisty female role models, some world famous, some little known. From Nellie Bly to Mae Jemison or Josephine Baker to Naziq al-Abid, the stories in this comic biography are sure to inspire the next generation of rebel ladies.