Teens

Teen collage showing various images of teens in the library

Teen Services

7-12 th graders are welcome to hang out with friends and explore their interests at all Chemung County libraries. Teen feedback and participation is at the heart of teen services at all our libraries. Events are teen interest driven, and whenever possible, teen led. 

Steele Memorial Library has a dedicated Teen Space, and a Teen Advisory Group that meets twice a month for snacks, brainstorming event planning sessions, and input on what books, video games, and e-books/e-audiobooks are important to get for the collection. All our branch locations also welcome teen feedback and active teen participation.

Teen Events

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This event is in the "Tweens" group
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Steele - CCLD 12th Annual Chess Challenge

9:00am–4:30pm
Children, Tweens, Teens, Adults
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Steele - Pokémon GO

2:00pm–5:00pm
Teens, Adults
This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Tweens" group
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This event is in the "Everyone" group

Van Etten - Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

1:00pm–5:00pm
Babies & Toddlers, Children, Tweens, Teens, Adults, Everyone
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Tweens" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Sewing Class

4:00pm–6:00pm
Children, Tweens, Teens, Adults
Register
Registration Required

Student Resources

Britannica High School

Brittanica High School logo

Meeting the reference needs for high school students. (NOVELny)

Database provided by NOVELny

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Britannica Middle School

Brittanica Middle School logo

Meeting the reference needs for middle school students. (NOVELny)

Database provided by NOVELny

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Britannica School

Brittanica School Edition logo

Meeting the reference needs for all students.

Database provided by NOVELny

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Library eBooks & eAudiobooks

Libby horizontal logo

Read with Libby

Teens who have their own library card can access Chemung County Libraries’ ebooks and e-audiobooks via the free Libby app. The Libby app allows patrons of all ages to download any book or audiobook they want with their library card.

SORA logo

Read with SORA

Teens who use the SORA app at school to get their school library’s ebooks can access our public library ebooks with their SORA app. Use the “hamburger” menu icon inside the SORA app to add your public library. Just select “Southern Tier Library System.” Please note that the SORA app limits teens to ebooks at their grade level only.

Recommended YA Reads

Image for "A World Without Summer"

A World Without Summer

The true story of how a massive catastrophic eruption plunged the world into darkness, altering the global climate and inspiring the likes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein—from the award-winning author of The Mona Lisa Vanishes and featuring black-and-white illustrations throughout.

“A tour-de-force for our times . . . At once a heart-stopping tale of climate change and a profoundly hopeful call to action.”—Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal winner for The One and Only Ivan

The world was upside-down. The wind was fire. The sky was ash. The rain was rock.

A couple of hundred years ago, on a quiet Indonesian island, a volcano called Tambora erupted with a force and violence that changed history.

It tore apart the island, and in the months and years that followed, its fallout tore apart the world. The sun refused to shine; the rain refused to stop. Everything that everyone assumed would always be there—a world that made sense, a climate that made sense—was suddenly gone.

From this riot of thunder and lightning, a young woman named Mary Shelley conceived of a scientist and his cursed creature. From the nightmare of Tambora, she wrote a nightmare of a book: Frankenstein—a terrifying reminder of how much damage we humans might do, without even realizing it.

This is the story of a volcano that changed the world and a creature that changed us.

Once upon a time, everything was different. And no one knew if it would ever be the same.

In this masterful work, Nicholas Day, author of the Sibert Award–winning The Mona Lisa Vanishes, brings us a story taken from the archives but seemingly scripted for us today: a tale of climate change and human folly and hope—and what happens when the world suddenly goes wrong.

Image for "Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons: The Rise of Hellfire"

Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons: The Rise of Hellfire

Lucas, Dustin, and Mike embark on a high-fantasy adventure with classmate Eddie Munson and his Hellfire Club in this new four-issue mini-series, collected here as a graphic novel!

Spell slinging, sword swinging, and the luck of the dice have shaped the lives of the Stranger Things boys well before they had real monsters to face. This D&D crossover delves into Eddie Munson’s past and his rise to de facto leader of the Hellfire Club, and explores his recruitment of Lucas, Dustin, and Mike. Throughout, there are brilliant glimpses into the fantasy world of Dungeons & Dragons that they explore together. This book highlights what really makes tabletop RPGs great through the lens of the hit Netflix series.

At first, the Mirkwood gang is hesitant to join a new campaign without Will and El, but Eddie conjures up his charm and does his best to inspire them to answer his call to adventure. Reflecting on the legendary campaign that got him hooked, Eddie remembers how the original Hellfire crew navigated the weird social dynamics of Hawkins High, seeking new party members to help take on a vicious manticore that nearly wiped out their party, proving time and time again that the party is always stronger than the individual adventurer. 

Rumors about Eddie’s bad reputation make Lucas worry that joining his club might hurt his chances of making the basketball team. But when the dice are cruel, Eddie’s true character shines through, earning all of the boys’ respect. Eddie Munson ushers in a new age for Hawkins High Hellfire Club with an exciting conclusion to Mike, Dustin, and Will’s first big Hellfire Club victory.

An action-packed fantasy love letter to the nerds of the eighties who dared to roll dice before it was cool, written by Jody Houser (Critical Role, Doctor Who) and Eric Campbell (Frank Frazetta’s Dawn Attack), and expertly drawn by Diego Galindo (Stranger Things: Tomb of Ybwen).

Collects Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons: The Rise of Hellfire #1–#4.

Image for "The House Saphir"

The House Saphir

The "Queen of Fairytale Retellings" is back! #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer weaves the tale of Bluebeard as it's never been told before. This is a thrilling romantasy and murder mystery, perfect for fans Meyer's Cinder and Heartless.

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she comes from a long line of witches, the only magic she possesses is the ability to see ghosts, which is rarely as useful as one would think. She and her sister have maintained the family business, eking out a paltry living by selling bogus spells to gullible buyers and conducting tours of the infamous mansion where the first of the Saphir murders took place. 

Mallory is a self-proclaimed expert on Count Bastien Saphir—otherwise known as Monsieur Le Bleu—who brutally killed three of his wives more than a century ago. But she never expected to meet Bastien's great-great grandson and heir to the Saphir estate. Armand is handsome, wealthy, and convinced that the Fontaine Sisters are as talented as they claim. The perfect mark. When he offers Mallory a large sum of money to rid his ancestral home of Le Bleu's ghost, she can’t resist. A paid vacation at Armand’s country manor? It’s practically a dream come true, never mind the ghosts of murdered wives and the monsters that are as common as household pests. 

But when murder again comes to the House Saphir, Mallory finds herself at the center of the investigation—and she is almost certain the killer is mortal. If she has any hope of cashing in on the payment she was promised, she’ll have to solve the murder and banish the ghost, all while upholding the illusion of witchcraft.

But that all sounds relatively easy compared to her biggest challenge: learning to trust her heart. Especially when the person her heart wants the most might be a murderer himself.

Steele Library Teens

Colorful teen space in the library

Teen Space at Steele

The Teen Space at Steele Library is a dedicated area on the second floor for 7th to 12th graders only. Teens can hang out with friends, read, study, enjoy snacks, books, computers, smart TVs, video gaming, and craft or art supplies. Teen library events held in the space are based on teen interests and feedback.

Please note: Adults can come in to browse for books, but they cannot stay in the space unless they are with a teen. Children younger than 7 th grade cannot hang out in the space unless they are with a teen 16 or older. All equipment, events, and seating are for 7th to 12th graders only.

Teens posing during Halloween event in the library

Teen Advisory Group at Steele

Anyone in 7th to 12th grades can join the Teen Advisory Group that meets twice a month at Steele Library. We have snacks, brainstorming event planning sessions, and input on what books, video games, and e-books/e-audiobooks are important to get for the collection. TAG members can also help set up and run events, as needed. There’s a fair amount of fun and silliness, too. Volunteer Credit is available. For more information, contact the Teen Space at Steele Library: 607-733-9173 x2311.

Youth Activities

Air Chemung Youth Clubhouse

Clubhouse is for Chemung County teens (ages 12-17), We provide a community-based, non-clinical setting for the promotion of long-term recovery through skill building, recreation, education, wellness, evidence-based prevention programs and other social activities.

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Chemung County Youth Bureau

recreational, educational, and employment programs and services for children, teens, and families in Chemung County

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EOP Head Start, Early Head Start

Birth to Five is a school readiness program. Free for qualifying families. Open enrollment all year.

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EOP: Ernie Davis Community Center

serves ages 13-21 with meals, afterschool programs, and tutoring

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Safe Zones

support and activities for LGBTQ teens in Chemung County; a program by the Chemung County Youth Bureau

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Southside Community Center

afterschool programs and snacks for all school age youth M-Fri

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Tanglewood Nature Center

educational programs for children and adults

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The SPOT program

recreational program for 12-15 year olds in Chemung County; a program of the Chemung County Youth Bureau

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YWCA Elmira

Offering quality before-school, after-school, and summer programs for Chemung County pre-schoolers through 6th graders at multiple sites.

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Teen Web Resources

Teen’s Top Ten - Teens around the nation nominate and vote on their favorite books each year.

YALSA Book Finder (or download the app) - Search 4,000+ books, audiobooks, and films from YALSA's book awards and book lists.

Queer Books for Teens - Find books, resources, and more for LGBTQ teens! From the site: "Created in part with support from the Carnegie/Whitney Grant from the American Library Association and the GLBT-RT resources committee, this website should act as a resource for anyone interested in Young Adult literature with significant LGBTQIAP+ content published between 2000 and 2017."

Khan Academy - Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more.

Hour of Code - Learn Computer Programming or Coding (free & fun for all ages)

Homeschooling resources - The Chemung County Historical Society has many resources available for homeschool families.

Loving Education At Home - A statewide organization dedicated to supporting and promoting home education throughout New York.

Common Core Curriculum - Common Core curriculum broken down by grade level.

New York State Homeschooling Regulations - No matter what state you live in, it's necessary to know your state's homeschooling regulations. And in a highly regulated state such as New York, it's especially important. Learn the regulations by studying the information on this site.

Home School Legal Defense Association: High School & Beyond - HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) is a national homeschooling organization that provides support and resources for homeschooling from young children through teens! This link is for teen specific homeschooling information.

Workforce NY (youth section) (for ages 16-24) - Everything from interviewing techniques, resumes, and working papers to applying to colleges.

Non-Driver ID Card- How to get a New York State ID if you don’t drive.

Getting Working Papers- New York State Department of Labor

Chemung County Youth Bureau‘s Employment Program- Youth ages 14 – 20 that are “work ready” have the opportunity to gain valuable job skills and experience through employment in several businesses and community organizations throughout Chemung County. For more information contact (607) 737-2907.

Free NY DMV Practice Tests - These NY DMV practice tests are good for the permit test and driver’s license test.

Applying for a Learner Permit - You must be 16 or older and apply at a DMV office.

Are you 18? Register to Vote! Let your Voice be heard!

Career One Stop "Get My Future" - A free site for teens from the Department of Labor. This site has everything from how to graduate from high school, job hunting help, and college application advice to finding the right careers for you.

Feeling suicidal? Worried about a friend who is? - Chemung County Crisis Line: 607-442-6900 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988 or Chat online (Deaf and hard of hearing: call 988 via videophone; Text 988 or Chat online).

211 Teen Helpline - A free, safe, and confidential source of support and information for youth, parents, and professionals, 2-1-1 Teen HELPLINE operates 24/7 through the various platforms – including calling the contact center, searching the website, and chatting online for meaningful, guided connections to help.

Teens Against Bullying - Created by and for teens, this website is a place for middle and high school students to find ways to address bullying, to take action, to be heard, and to own an important social cause.

Teen Mental Health - MedlinePlus from NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine.

National Runaway Safeline - Call or Text: 1-800-786-2929

Teen Sexual Health - MedlinePlus from NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Teen Pregnancy - MedlinePlus from NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Planned Parenthood & Southern Tier Pregnancy Place - Confidential, free, or low-cost help for teens re: pregnancy, sexual health, birth control, parenting, and more.

The Trevor Project - Help and information for LGBTQ+ teens and allies. Their 24/7 crisis line is 1-866-488-7386. Texting and chat is also available.