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

Cover of Sunrise on the Reaping

2025 Staff Picks: Teen

Our expert staff members look back at the year and choose some of their favorites.

View list
Cover of Hunger's Bite

2025 Staff Picks: Teen Graphic Novels

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

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Cover of The Strongest Heart

2025 Staff Picks: Grade 6-8

Some of our favorite 2025 fiction and graphic novels for middle schoolers. From funny to fantasy, realistic to mystery, there's something here for everyone to love.

View list
Cover of movie Elio

2025 Staff Picks: Family-Friendly Movies

Our expert staff members look back at the year and share their favorite titles. Age recommendations provided by commonsensemedia.org.

View list
Cover of The Strangers

Beginner's Guide to Young Adult Novels

Our staff members enjoy these young adult titles.

View list

eBooks & Streaming

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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.

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

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

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Early Entry: An Accessibility Hour

11:00am–12:00pm
Kids, Teens, Adults
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

Make a Self-Care Spinner Wheel

2:00pm–3:00pm
Teens, Grade 6–8, Grade 9–12
Registration Required
This event is in the "Kids" group
This event is in the "Age 0–5" group
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Sensory-Friendly Family Movie

2:00pm–4:00pm
Kids, Age 0–5, Grade K–2, Grade 3–5, Teens, Grade 6–8, Grade 9–12
This event is in the "Kids" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
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Puzzle Competition

1:00pm–3:00pm
Kids, Teens, Adults
Registration Required
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group
This event is in the "Older Adults" group

Climate Optimism in Action

6:00pm–7:00pm
Teens, Adults, Older 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–5:00pm
Teens, Grade 9–12
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

Steam Quartet

3:00pm–4:15pm
Kids, 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

4:30pm–5:30pm
Teens, Grade 6–8, Grade 9–12
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 Movie Night

5:00pm–8:00pm
Teens, Grade 6–8, Grade 9–12