Teens

Group of four teen girls sitting in the library. Two are mid-conversation while one holds a guitar

See how the library serves kids in middle school and high school.

Middle school and high school students can come to the Teen Room to find books, play video games (Nintendo Switch and PlayStation5), enjoy board games, study, do creative activities, and hang out with friends. 

The Teen Room is typically staffed 3-9 pm on school days and noon-6 pm on weekends.

Prepare for your visit to the library by reading our social narrative.

We have three dedicated study rooms for teens inside the Teen Room. Use your library card to reserve a room online, or see a library staff member.

Middle and high school students interested in volunteering should fill out our Teen Volunteer contact form to be added to our email list. You can also email the teen team, or come to an upcoming teen volunteer event.


During the School Year

We offer service opportunities throughout the school year. Some opportunities are only offered during school breaks or days off. Others are ongoing, like Teen Library Council, which meets once a month on Thursday afternoons. We look forward to working with you!  


Court-Ordered Community Service

If you are a teen who needs community service hours to clear a ticket or fulfill a court-ordered requirement, please email the teen team. Include your name, the school you attend, the number of hours you need, and the date you need the hours to be completed. You must be 18 or younger and either live in Skokie or attend a Skokie school to qualify. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to help you meet your court-ordered requirement, but we will do our best.

Lists

Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol book cover

2024 Staff Picks: Fiction and Graphic Novels for Grade 6-8

From funny to fantasy, realistic to historical, there's something for every middle-schooler to love here.

View list
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal book cover

2024 Staff Picks: Teen

Our expert staff members look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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Youth Group by Jordan Morris book cover

2024 Staff Picks: Teen Graphic Novels

Our expert staff members look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

View list
I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang book cover

Academic Rivals to Root For

Check out these titles where academic rivals try to outdo each other. Chaos usually ensues, and often an A+ relationship!

View list
NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman book cover

Autism Acceptance

Selected in honor of Autism Acceptance Month, these books were written by autistic adults, autistic parents of children on the autism spectrum, and neurotypical parents of autistic children who are also advocates for the neurodiversity movement. Andrew selected the adult titles, Grace the teen titles, and Holly the children's titles.

View list

eBooks & Streaming

hoopla logo

Hoopla

A vast collection of eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, and music, all available for instant borrowing. TV and mobile apps available.

View Hoopla
Kanopy logo

Kanopy

Thousands of streaming independent, world, classic, and documentary films, as well as content from PBS. TV and mobile apps are available.

View Kanopy
Libby logo

Libby/OverDrive

Popular and best-selling eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines for all ages. An app is available.

View Libby/OverDrive

Databases

Britannica Library

Articles, videos, biographies, atlases, and primary sources divided into three levels suitable for kids, teens, and adults.

Database Type
Audience

Creativebug

Thousands of art and craft video tutorials taught by design experts. Includes lessons on visual and fiber arts, paper crafts, jewelry making, and more.

Database Type
Audience

Driving-Tests.org

Free online practice tests based on Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles standards, including motorcycle exams and a sample commercial driver license (CDL) test.

Database Type
Audience

Gale eBooks

Encyclopedias, articles, literary criticism, and specialized reference sources for students and researchers. Search the entire collection or a particular subject area.

Database Type
Audience

LearningExpress from EBSCO

Practice tests and flash cards for high school, college, and occupational certification exams, as well as tutorials on career exploration and advancement.

Community Resources

Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Financial planning for college.

Contact Information
Address

1755 Lake Cook Rd.
Deerfield, IL
United States

Phone Number
Community Resource Type
Personal Finance
Teens
Hours
Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm
View resource

Metropolitan Family Services

Early learning, after-school and job readiness programs, counseling, mental health services, and legal assistance.

Contact Information
Address

7648 N. Paulina St.
Chicago, IL
United States

Phone Number
Community Resource Type
Career Help
Early Childhood
Healthy Living
Kids & Families
Legal Information
Social Services
Teens
Hours
Monday–Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturday 9am-1 pm
View resource

Niles Township Community Clothing Closet

Primarily for children attending school within Niles Township (Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, and Skokie), provides 2-3 gently used outfits and a set of new socks and underwear per child.

Contact Information
Address

5201 Galitz St.
Skokie, IL
United States

Phone Number
Community Resource Type
Early Childhood
Kids & Families
Social Services
Teens
View resource

Skokie Park District

240 acres of parkland; programs in the arts, nature, sports, and fitness; specialized programs for tots through seniors, including summer day camps, full-day child care and preschool, and before- and after-school care for grades K-5.

Contact Information
Address

9300 Weber Park Pl.
Skokie, IL
United States

Phone Number
Community Resource Type
Early Childhood
Healthy Living
Kids & Families
Older Adults
Teens
View resource
Graphic of a teenager sitting on the ground with arms over their legs and headphones on

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Teens" group

Friend Squad

6:00pm–7:30pm
Teens
Registration Required
This event is in the "Kids" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Nikki O'Neill Band

3:00pm–4:15pm
Kids, Teens, Adults
This event is in the "Kids" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

Learn Basic Amharic

6:00pm–7:00pm
Kids, Teens
Registration Required
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Grade 9–12" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

College Essays Demystified: Online Event

6:30pm–7:30pm
Teens, Grade 9–12, Adults
Registration Required
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Grade 9–12" group

Asking for a Friend

4:00pm–5:30pm
Teens, Grade 9–12
This event is in the "Kids" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Design Your Skokie Village Flag

6:00pm–7:00pm
Kids, Teens, Adults
Registration Required
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Artist Reception

7:00pm–8:30pm
Teens, Adults
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Grade 6–8" group
This event is in the "Grade 9–12" group

Unplugged Club

4:00pm–5:00pm
Teens, Grade 6–8, Grade 9–12
Registration Required
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Grade 6–8" group
This event is in the "Grade 9–12" group

Teen Library Council

5:30pm–6:30pm
Teens, Grade 6–8, Grade 9–12
Registration Required
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Grade 9–12" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

How to Pay for College: Online Event

6:30pm–7:30pm
Teens, Grade 9–12, Adults
Registration Required