![Teens Webpage](/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_embedded/public/2024-08/YS-2024-Teens-WebH-1296x243px.jpg?itok=hgV_bKPv)
What's New?
Award Winners
The (FTR) program is a student-choice award determining which YA novel wins as the favorite of teens in Florida
These books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections, and/or multicultural representation. Targeted toward tweens and younger.
Printz Awards - Excellence in YA
The award honors the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit, each year.
Alex Awards - Adult Reads for Teens
This award is for books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults.
This award honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults.
The library offers many resources for teens. We offer computer and internet services during all open hours, and a catalog with thousands of physical and virtual titles available for checkout. This page will also direct you to our volunteer program, helpful databases, and library programs designed especially for teens.
District-wide Programs for Teens
![yellow and black colored font reading "Teen Art Show"](/sites/default/files/styles/quarter_width_embedded/public/2024-08/TeenArtShow-Spring2022-Icon-288x288px.jpg?itok=6jYxlFVK)
Fall and Spring Art Shows. Whether your medium is paint, charcoal, digital or video, we want to see your artwork! Our Fall art show is for teens ages 12-15, and our Spring art show is for teens ages 16-19. Submit your work for appraisal and have your work viewed in a gallery setting at our Headquarters Library as well as on our website.
![colorful border of a dark circle with text at the center reading "Battle of the Books"](/sites/default/files/styles/quarter_width_embedded/public/2024-08/BattleoftheBooks-2022-Icon-px.jpg?itok=FHueK8Wz)
Battle of the Books. Each summer, branch teams form around the district and meet, study the three vote-winning novels, and then come together in-person to compete in the best teen-focused trivia contest in all of Alachua County, preceded by a visit from one of the book's authors.
![illustration of a dreamy pencil](/sites/default/files/styles/quarter_width_embedded/public/2024-08/HPT.TeenCreativeWritingContest.2024.png?itok=vsPHOkcl)
Teen Writing Contest. Every spring we celebrate the creative writing of Alachua County Teens. We welcome submissions of poetry and prose. The winners are announced at a reception where the winning works will be read, and prizes (including a bound book of the winning entries) are given out.
![Black text reading "Summer at the Library"](/sites/default/files/styles/quarter_width_embedded/public/2024-08/SummerAtTheLibrary-2024-Type-Stacked-Black.png?itok=OXtd_-33)
Summer at the Library. Every summer you have the opportunity to track your reading, collect free swag, compete for prizes (including a tablet), and attend special summer library programs.
Volunteer Hours
Teens (starting at age 12) can earn volunteer hours that can contribute toward scholarships and strengthening the resumé. Sign up today and be a part of your community.
![picture depicts a multi-cultural group of teens holding books, which suggests volunteerism.](/sites/default/files/styles/half_width_embedded/public/2024-08/VolunteerTeaser.jpg?itok=8EOG2bzV)
Planning For the Future
- Test Prep & Proctoring - resources from the library to assist you in studying and preparing for your exams
- Learn about careers - get some ideas about what jobs exist and how to prepare for them
- Find health information - access recommended community health resources from Alachua County Public Schools