Programs and Events for Teens

PawlingTeens!

Spring Programs for Tweens & Teens

For grades 5 & up unless otherwise noted. All programs require registration. Registration opens April 1st. For questions or for help registering, please contact Maureen McGrath, Young Adult Program Coordinator, at teen@pawlinglibrary.

The Great Stories Book Club

Deeper Than Our Skins Banner

 

The Pawling Free Library has been selected as one of 58 libraries nationwide to take part in the Great Stories Club, a reading and discussion program for under-served teens. These competitive grants are offered by the American Library Association (ALA) with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

As part of the Great Stories Club, Maureen Meltzer-McGrath, Young Adult Program Coordinator will work with a small group of teens to read and discuss stories that explore questions of race, equity, identity, and history. Bilingual book discussions will be led in partnership with Inginia Jackson of Camino al Éxito. Participants will receive copies of all the books to keep and Spanish language versions will be available when possible.

 

On Monday, April 15 @ 6pm, we will discuss "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Participants are asked to read the book prior to the meeting. Copies are available at the Library in English or Spanish. Following the discussing, participants will write a letter to their future selves about how they view the world today.

Between World

On Monday, May 13 @ 6pm, we will discuss "Always Running" by Luis J. Rodriguez. Participants are asked to read the book prior to the meeting. Copies are available at the Library in English or Spanish. An activity will follow the book discussion.

Always Running
The ShadowHeroAuthorVisit

On Wednesday, April 24 at 4 pm, participants in the Great Stories Club: Deeper Than Our Skins are invited to this virtual author visit with Gene Luen Yang who wrote the graphic novel, "The Shadow Hero". This will be a Q & A between Yang and a representative from the American Library Association. It is a private event for those who participate in this grant-based program. We will watch the interview on the screen in the Library Annex. Registration is requested

Special Programs

Haiku Flyer (Instagram Post)

Submissions accepted 4/2 - 4/22

 

Celebrate our Pawling community by writing your own Haiku! A Haiku is a traditional Japanese poem that is exactly three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Chose a category: Kindness, Family, Community, Culture, or Nature. Write your Haiku and submit it using the link above. 

The Pawling Community Haiku Project is a partnership between the Pawling School District and The Pawling Library. Submissions will be printed in a book and selections will be on display throughout the community.

 

 

Love Shouldn’t Hurtcalendar

Tuesday, April 2

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Amanda Greenfield of The Grace Smith House present a workshop for teens that provides a foundation of the cycle of violence and how to identify the red flags of an unhealthy relationship. Participants will gain tools and language that will enable them to support a friend who is in an unhealthy relationship, as well as gain an understanding of the impact that dating violence has on the individual, friends, and family. This workshop is for teens in 8th grade and up. It will be offered in English and Spanish. Registration is required.

 

Earth Day Cleanup

Saturday, April 20

11:00 AM - 12 PM

Join the Pawling Library’s VolunTeens for this Pawling Village litter clean-up. The teens will lead groups to collect and dispose of the litter marring our streets. The Library has a limited supply of grabbers, gloves, and trash bags to get the job done. Participants are welcome to bring their own supplies as well. Registration is recommended but walk-ins are welcome. For all ages.

 

 

Nerf Night

Friday, April 20

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

'Tweens and teens are invited to an after-hours Nerf battle. Participants can bring their own Nerf weapons or use the Library’s limited supply. Run between the stacks to dodge your opponent’s darts! own supplies as well.

 

 

Mother's Day Crafts

Friday, May 3

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

We’ll have a variety of projects that you can make to give as gifts for your mom, grandmother, favorite aunt, or other special person in your life. The library will supply materials and instructions—just bring your creativity and imagination!

 

Scary Movie Game Nightcalendar

Friday, May 17

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Tweens and teens are invited to this mystery game night. Participants will be assigned a character when they register. There will be pregame activities to create excitement. Pizza will be served.

 

Father's Day

Friday, June 7

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

We’ll have a variety of projects that you can make to give as gifts for your dad, grandfather, favorite uncle, or other special person in your life. The library will supply materials and instructions—just bring your creativity and imagination!

 

Weekly/Monthly Programs

Battle of the Books Clear Logo

Alternate Mondays:

Beginning 3/4/24

5 pm -- 6 pm

The Pawling Library's middle school Battle of the Books team is meeting regularly to prepare for the Regional Battle. The team reads six books throughout the spring and summer months and will then compete against other Mid-Hudson Libraries in a trivia battle based on the books. This program is for students currently in grade 4 - grade 8. For more information or to join the team, contact Maureen Meltzer-McGrath.

 

 

Sherlock book clubrevise

Monthly

Tuesday, 5/14

6pm - 7 pm, ages 11 -17 years

This book and game club is to introduce teens to Sherlock Holmes and the work of Arthur Conan Doyle.

This month, we will read a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle and meet to talk about the tale. Next month, we will join up with the adult Holmes and Watson Mystery Book Club to play Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective game. This board game puts the players in the shoes of the famous detective’s assistants, helping him to solve a mystery using newspapers and maps and more. The program will continue throughout the year, alternating monthly between book talks and game nights. In addition to the Arthur Conan Doyle tales, we will read the graphic novel series, Enola Holmes, and/or the Young Sherlock Holmes series.  Registrants will receive a copy of the book when they register.

Support for this program is provided by the Jan Stauber Grant Program of the Beacon Society.

Homeschool space

Thursdays, April 18, May 16, June 20

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Homeschool families are invited to this monthly meet-up specifically for middle school-age students. Each month, we will do different activities, details to be announced. Families are welcome to arrive early to spend time with the younger children who meet earlier in the afternoon. Please note: Due to the on-going construction, the Courtyard may not be available. Registration is required.

Volunteer Opportunities

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Santa Volunteers

The first meeting of the new season is Wednesday, September 20 at 5 pm. New members are invited to join us.

Volunteens is a year-round volunteer opportunity for ages 11 & up. The group meets twice a month to plan or work on service projects to benefit the Library and the Pawling community. Since the group started last fall, they have had a litter collection in the Village, learned about and helped to remove invasive plant species at Lake Side Park, wrapped all the books given as gifts during our annual visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus as well as helped at the party, assisted at a local ESL class, and created a Giving Tree to benefit the Dutchess SPCA. The group will have new projects in the new year and new members are welcome.

Meeting dates: The first and third Wednesday of each month at 5 pm to 6:30 pm. There may be additional dates depending on the project.

The Pawling Library is now a Volunteer Certification Organization through the Points of Light Organization. Volunteers who meet the required annual hours for their age group will be recognized with a letter from the President of the United States and possibly other awards. For more information about the Presidential Volunteer Award, please visit our volunteer page: https://www.pawlingfreelibrary.org/community-service/