Teen Replays
Monthly Spotlights
Check them out again – videos, activities and teen stories to engage, enlighten and inform.
Make a Difference
There are so many ways you can make a difference in your community! Volunteer, help a friend, or speak up about issues that matter! Use one of our templates to write a letter about what’s important to you to one of your elected officials.
Activities:
Fill in the Blank Letter Template
(Word Doc Download)
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Fill in the Blank Letter Template
(Digital Version)
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2024 Teen Volunteer Opportunities
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3 Easy-Breezy Magic Tricks
Main Library’s VolunTeens teach you three super-easy magic tricks – all you need is a disposable cup and a deck of cards! Impress your friends and learn some life skills, too!
Activities:
Learn more easy-breezy tricks with this printable mini-booklet!
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Get it Together with The Weeksheet!
Get organized with a tool developed to balance school/work and your passions without burning out. It’s called The Weeksheet: it has a little mini calendar, a prioritized to-do list, and habit tracker. Follow along to make your own using the printable template or our Google Doc Template!
Activities:
Printable Weeksheet template
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Weeksheet template for Google Doc
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What can I do at the library this summer?
Learn how to make the most out of your summer by taking part in unique events and programs just for teens!
Activities:
Sign-Up to become a VolunTeen at your Library Branch
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On Your Own - Skills & Dorm Life
Feeling overwhelmed about living away from home for the first time? We share life skills you can practice now so you’re ready when the time comes and talk about what you should — and shouldn’t — bring when you move into a dorm (plus some fun dorm-room decorating ideas).
Manga Madness!
Calling all manga enthusiasts (and curious newcomers)! Join us as we talk about Shojo and Shonen manga at the library. Then use our tournament bracket to choose your next great read!
Manga Bracket:
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Manga Contenders:
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Lyric Ladders
Could you be a fabulous songwriter, if only you knew how to get started? Check out this video and activity to make your own music!
Self-Directed Activity:
Use Jeff Tweedy’s “Lyric Ladders” to draft out some lyrics!
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To AI or Not to AI?
Artificial Intelligence like ChatGPT can compose essays, describe art in great detail, create AI art prompts, have philosophical conversations, and even code for you. Learn how to use this technology safely and smartly!
Activity:
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Journaling = Mindfulness
Learn different styles of journaling so you can find a practice that best serves you! Journaling can be highly structured, but also playful or artistic. Find out how journaling can support your mental health while you learn about yourself.
Journaling Prompts:
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NaNoWriMo:
National Novel Writing Month
Everyone has a book inside them just waiting to get out! Check out these tips for writing your own novel and beating writer’s block, then show off your writing skills by participating in this year’s National Novel Writing Month!
How NaNoWriMo works:
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Sign Up for NaNoWriMo:
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Take Notes Like a Pro
Taking notes doesn’t have to be scary! With a little help from some spooky-season friends, we’ll share different methods, tips and tricks that will keep your notes neat and study-ready.
Note Taking Styles:
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Make Art!:
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Welcome to a new school year!
Learn about library resources that can help you make the most out of this school year. From School Help Centers to graphic novels, the library has it all! Film a video book recommendation and submit it on the Teens Create page for a chance to be featured on our website.
Tabletop Roleplaying Game Handbook
Handbook →
Show us your Character!
Character Sheet →
Poetry
Poetry is the literary art of self-expression. For National Poetry month, celebrate by exploring the various forms of poetry! Run to your local library and find yourself a poem!
Tabletop Roleplaying Game Handbook
Handbook →
Show us your Character!
Character Sheet →
How We Roll:
Tabletop Roleplaying Games
Ready for an adventure? Let’s create one! Join library staff as we share the basics of TTRPGs, including storytelling, character creation, and rolling dice. Enjoy unscripted scenes from actual gameplay of an original story concept, and then download the Handbook to create your own!
Tabletop Roleplaying Game Handbook
Handbook →
Show us your Character!
Character Sheet →
Explore Relationships Through Reading!
Relationships can be difficult! Your relationships are reflections of who you are! What do your relationships say about you? Run to your local library and check out one of the three suggested books to explore how others navigate relationships with self and those around them!
Are your relationships healthy?
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Ready, Set, Goals!
Ready to make your dreams come true? Join us (and a few furry friends) to learn how to set SMART goals that maximize your chances for success. And, just for fun, we’ll also take a look at what NOT to do!
Goal-Setting Worksheet
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Homemade Gift for Your Homemade Family
Celebrate your found family – the people who are close to you who aren’t related but are very much like family – by making cute (and very affordable) homemade snowflake decorations to give as gifts. We’ll show you how!
Teen Counseling Resources
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Gift Tags
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Breath Work, Yoga and Meditation
This spooky, fun video focuses on breath work, yoga and meditation. With a blend of mini sessions of each, you learn simple ways to ground yourself and refresh your mind in preparation to start or end your day. Remember, you may not be able to control your surroundings but you can control yourself. One breath, one day at a time.
Self-Directed Activity
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Self-Care Stretching
This instructional video will show you a 10-minute stretching flow to promote positive energy and health. Stretching in the morning can help prepare you for the day ahead and evening stretches will help prepare you for a night of rest.
In It Together: How to Collaborate in a Competitive World
Collaboration is the name of the game at Columbus Metropolitan Library! Staff share their experiences and tips for creating and maintaining a collaborative environment.
Collaboration Crash Course
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Partner Drawing
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Making Cents: How To Make Your Money Work For You
Ashley Montana of the Franklinton Development Association and Dwain Davis of First Merchants Bank share some basic tips on managing your money.
Budget Spreadsheet
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How Money Smart Are You?
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Financial Vision Board
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Beyond the Hashtag: How to Make Your Voice Heard
The board members from Ohio PEP (a teen-led non-profit focused on empowering teens to be active in politics) talk to us about their mission, share strategies for engaging with their peers, and offer advice for teens looking to get involved in politics.
Trivia Game Fundraiser
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Crisis Averted: Strategies for Successful Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution specialist Mike Gregory shares strategies for handling conflict using de-escalation.
“I” Statements Practice
Download Worksheet →
The Collaboration Effect Pocket Guide
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De-escalaltion Handout
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It's Lit: Talking About the Books We Love
Join Youth Services staff from different library locations as they share their favorite teen titles and talk about how they find new books to read.
Create Your Own Book List
Download Worksheet→
Teens Create: Book Cover
Book Cover Template →
Learn More →
Popping the Bubble: Identifying Bias, Disinformation and Clickbait
Join Dr. Caroline Clark (OSU), Courtney Johnson (CCS), and Kapil Vasudev (OSU), as they discuss information literacy in the digital age, identify different forms of information, and provide essential questions to help you evaluate all the texts you encounter in the world.
Explore Science Careers with OSU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering
Gain insight and advice from local professionals talking about their career path, why they love their job and the impact they have on the community.
Careers in the Arts: Artists of YouMedia
What’s it take to make a living as a professional artist? Meet the artists of YouMedia as they share influences, advice to aspiring artists, industry tips and what they love about the creative process.
Career Explorations featuring Columbus Community Members
Gain insight and advice from local professionals talking about their career path, why they love their job and the impact they have on the community.
First Jobs – Memorable Moments and Life Lessons
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First Jobs – Library Staff Members
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Apply for a Job
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Let’s Talk Mental Health
What is mental health? It can be hard to talk about, and know when to ask for help. Learn about Columbus agency, Huckleberry House, and how they can help you thrive!
Teen Mental Health and Wellness Booklist
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Teen and Family Mental Health Resources
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Teen Wellness Self-Assessment
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What is Wellness?
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ACT/SAT: What You Need to Know
We talked with a representative from the Princeton Review about the differences between ACT and SAT.
Been There, Done That: Teens Share Their ACT and SAT Experiences
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ACT: Strategies to Raise Your Score
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BESA: Teen Volunteer Opportunities
We talked with a BESA representative about how teens can volunteer to become more involved in their community.
BESA: Find Your Volunteer Opportunity
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In Their Own Words: Library VolunTeen, Carlos
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In Their Own Words: Library VolunTeen, Tryphena
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#well-connected
Check out other ways to stay well and connected.
What does being a “team player” mean to you?
What life hack or one skill you think every adult should have?
How did you make a difference?
What book had the biggest impact on your life?
What news sources do you trust?
What is your favorite go-to stress buster?
