Create your own Summer Learning Challenge this year!

All of the activities listed below have been created to help teens learn, create and share. Earn a point towards your Summer Learning Challenge for each activity you complete. 

Apr 13 6:00 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Main

Meet the Author: Chuck Brown

Don't miss this discussion with Chuck Brown, award-winning writer for both DC and Marvel comics.  Find out about his life in comics, current projects and creative process.  A book sale and signing will follow.

Event Type(s):

Author Event

Audience(s):

Adults, Parents, Teens (12-18 years)
Blog
Richland Library Southeast

What's your resolution?

  • Adele C.
  • Saturday, December 31

No matter what your resolutions are for the new year, we hope that the library can play a part in helping you achieve your goals.

Samira Surfs
The Maps of Memory
List

Great Books for Ages 11, 12, 13 | 2022

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, May 11
Middle school readers are still figuring out the world while trying to figure out themselves.  They may look for books that reflect their experience or give them a window or sliding glass doo
Blog
Richland Library Main

Peppermint Catapults

  • Richland Library
  • Saturday, December 18

Launch yourself into the holiday spirit by learning how to create a peppermint catapult.

Blog
Richland Library Main

A-maize-ing Corn Husk Dolls

  • Richland Library
  • Monday, November 29

A perfect Fall activity to spice up your holiday; the art of corn husk doll making is steeped in tradition and fun for the whole family. 

Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Dinner Table Talks: Dear Martin

  • Taelor J.
    Heather M.
    Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, June 23

Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books.  This conversation focuses on the New York Times bestselling YA novel, Dear Martin by Nic Stone.  

Blog
Richland Library North Main

Native American Heritage Month

  • Zsuzsanna C.
  • Monday, November 07

There are 9.7 million Native Americans belonging to 562 federally recognized nations or tribes that live in the US, each with a unique history.

Blog
Richland Library Eastover

Texting via Haikus

  • Kimberly Jones
  • Tuesday, July 13

Let's explore Kwame Alexander's usage of Haikus to depict text messages in the novel in verse The Crossover.

Blog
Richland Library Main

A Soft Lesson to Learn: Teaching Soft Skills

  • Bland L.
  • Wednesday, June 30

As employers continue to lament the soft-skills deficiencies they see in new hires, more attention is being paid to making these skills part of the educational curriculum.

Blog
Richland Library Northeast

Garden to Table: Summer Solstice Recipes

  • Caroline B.
  • Tuesday, July 20

Summer has arrived! Join us as we use common produce that can be found in WLTX’s Gandy’s Garden, and in any supermarket or your own garden. We created some easy, flavorful dishes in our Northeast Teaching Kitchen using ingredients that signal summer is here! We hope you have fun making these dishes at home!  

This is Your Mind on Plants
A Closer Look at Plant Classifications, Parts, and Uses
List

Get Outdoors: Learn More About Plants

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, June 11
Time to get outside and go on an adventure! Here are a list of books to help you explore your surroundings. Learn more about plants and even go on a foraging trip!
Blog
Richland Library Northeast

¡Que Rico!: Stuffed Honduran Pastelitos

  • Elisa D.
  • Friday, May 28

Bring the rich flavors of our community to life in your kitchen! Try our Stuffed Honduran Pastelitos—inspired by a recipe from one of our ¡Que Rico!: Community Cookbook contributors, Karin Cantarero.

Watch over Me
The Education of Ivy Blake
List

YA and Middle Grade Reads to Celebrate National Foster Care Month

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Monday, May 17
National Foster Care Month has been observed during the Month of May in the United States since 1988 when President Ronald Reagan recognized  May as a month to show appreciation and gratitude to foster parents across the nation. The purpose of National Foster Care Month continues to evolve based on the needs of the time. For example, in 2019, the theme for National Foster Care Month was "Foster Care as a Support to Families, not a Substitute for Parents."
Aquaman
Battlestar Galactica. Season One
List

Art Representing Asian American, Pacific Islanders

  • Helene F.
  • Monday, May 10
Graphic novels and manga, with the aid of movies and anime, have been great ways to bring cultures together.  Here is a list of some of my favorite titles with AAPI characters and artists.  Looking for more? Check out our personalized recommendations here or call us at 799-9084.
Blog
Richland Library Cooper

Being Vietnamese-American

  • Charlotte D.
  • Wednesday, May 05

For Asian-American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, representation matters in our books.

Akira.
Cowboy Bebop
List

Where to Start Your Anime Journey

  • Bryan B.
  • Saturday, May 01
Anime can be an overwhelming medium, especially for someone new. This collection of anime movies are a great starting point to begin your exploration of the medium. Works range from family friendly works by Hayao Miyazaki to the deep and psychological works of the late Satoshi Kon. Whichever you choose, you're bound to find a new world in anime.
The Killing Floor.
10,000 Black Men Named George.
List

Movies for Workers' Day

  • Keith B.
  • Thursday, April 29
The first day of May has been celebrated as International Workers' Day since 1889 when labor activists were demonstrating and organizing for the eight-hour-day.  The following list is made up of dramatic features, documentaries, and educational series on the labor movement, unionizing, leftist political activism, economic inequality, and working conditions. Mostly focused on American culture and history, it nontheless includes films set around the globe, helping to illustrate the shared struggles of workers everywhere. 
The Gilded Wolves
Children of Blood and Bone
List

For Fans of Shadow and Bone

  • Alison B.
  • Wednesday, April 28
Binge watched your way through Netflix's new number one show Shadow and Bone yet? You can of course pick up Grishaverse creator Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone trilogy or Six of Crows duology to finish the tale.
Thyme of Death
Garden Spells
List

Herbal Medicine fiction

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, April 23
As we cultivate our gardens and spruce up the place, why not entertain yourself with some herbal medicinal reads? Fiction, of course! Let's take a break from the dust, dirt, and heat. Time to grab a glass of ice cold lemonade, tea, or infused water and add just a hint of herbal fun to the mix.   
The Factory
Atlas Shrugged. Part 1.
List

Are There Limits to Human Creativity? (Philosophical fiction)

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, April 21
A list of 30 top philosophical reads--included with these selections are various formats (eAudio, eBook, Blu-Ray or DVD, & Standard or Large print).  Enjoy your journey with these philosophical fiction novels that will make you think and analyze the conditions and nature of humans, and maybe gain a different perspective. Some of these titles have been made into motion pictures or turned into TV shows. Feel free to decide if there are limits to human creativity...
Does My Head Look Big in This?
First Comes Marriage
List

Biographies and Novels that Explore the Arab American Experience

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Tuesday, April 13
Let’s take the time to celebrate the history, contributions, and culture of the diverse population of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have roots in 22 countries located in the Middle East and North African regions and within all those countries, there are various languages, religions, traditions that are now part of the American story. Explore their stories though verse, memories, and more.     
Blog
Richland Library Sandhills

Five Trailblazing Women of Richland County

  • Brittany S.
    Alex B.
  • Tuesday, April 27

Let's look at five amazing women leaders who not only have made a positive impact all across Richland County, but have broken down barriers while they were at it. 

Anansi the Spider
Folk Tales & Fables of Asia & Australia
List

Good Folk Tales and Fairy Tales for Storytelling

  • Rebecca T.
  • Friday, April 09
In their well-respected book, Storytelling: Art and Technique, Ellin Greene and Augusta Baker tell us: "A good story for telling is one that has something to say and that says it in the best possible way." Check out some of these books to learn more about the traditional art of storytelling and to find folk tales and fairy tales that have something to say and are written in the best possible way!
The Pros of Cons
Beauty Queens
List

Teen Books to Make You Laugh

  • Alison B.
  • Saturday, April 03
Looking for laughs in your reading selection? Try some of these humorous teen titles from an alien-hunting cheerleader (Flying by Carrie Jones) to a convention center mismatched with a percussion competition, fandom con, & taxidermy championship (The Pros of Cons by Alison Cherry) that'll have you chuckling and smiling throughout.  
Artemis
Reynard the Fox
List

#BroaderBookshelf 2021 - Antihero's and Villains as the protagonist

  • Mahogany S.
  • Thursday, April 01
Do you believe there's always an "other" side to each story?  Well here they are. Read some titles that talk about the perspective of the villain or an antihero. Some are tricksters and some are downright murderers. All are darkly enjoyable.   Learn more about the Broader Bookshelf challenge and see more lists here.
Blog
Richland Library Southeast

Mini-Retreat: Play Birdsong Hero

  • Amy A.
  • Sunday, March 28

Wish you could identify birds by their songs? Try this simple game and turn "someday" into "today" for your bird watching bucket-list daydreams. 

Dress Coded
Amari and the Night Brothers
List

Inspirational Stories for Middle Grade Girls

  • Taelor J.
  • Thursday, March 25
“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” – Coco Chanel This booklist features novels to help remind all girls that they are capable of anything they set their mind to and how truly special they are! Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
Stargazing
The Year of the Garden
List

The Asian & Asian American Experience through Novels for Middle Grade and Teens

  • Taelor J.
  • Tuesday, March 23
For many children the first glimpse into the lives of others is through books. Taking time to read about, learn and appreciate others' differences is a stepping stone to equality, inclusion and acceptance of all. The booklist below focuses on novels for middle grade readers and teens about the Asian and Asian American experience in hopes of being able to create a window into the lives of others.
Watch Us Rise
With the Fire on High
List

Women's History Month: Realistic Teen Fiction

  • Alison B.
  • Monday, March 22
Women are strong, creative, hardworking, innovative, inspiring, and so much more. The women that go down in history and those that impact lives and communities around us were young teen girls at one point. Explore what it's like living as a young lady, the highs and lows as well as the joys and difficulties, in these contemporary teen fiction books.
Flesh & Blood So Cheap
The Nazi Hunters
List

Page-Turning Nonfiction for Teens

  • Jennifer N.
  • Saturday, March 13
Who doesn’t love a great true story?  These nonfiction titles will transport you to different time and place, leaving you racing toward the end of the book to see how it all turns out while devouring every detail.  Scale a mountain (No Summit Out of Sight), survive the wild (Marooned in the Arctic), win the game (Attucks!; Games of Deception), or dig into history’s gruesome side (The Borden Murders; Flesh & Blood So Cheap; The Family Romanov) in these fast-paced reads. 
45-love
55 Dynamic Agility & Conditioning Drills for Tennis
List

Swing into Tennis (Game, Set, Match)

  • Ariel H.
  • Thursday, March 11
A list of Tennis related material has been compiled as you gear up for the courts. Lace up your shoes and tighten your strings, it's time to ace this year's season. 
The Scapegracers
Undead Girl Gang
List

Teen Witchy Reads for WandaVision Fans

  • Alison B.
  • Thursday, March 11
The latest hit from the Marvel Universe may have wrapped last week with the finale of WandaVision, but there are plenty of riveting reads of powerful witches and complex female characters to fill that void.
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Dinner Table Talks: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

  • Taelor J.
    Heather M.
    Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, June 23

Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books. These discussions will build our capacity for talking about race and define our roles in fighting against both every day and systemic racism.

The Rock and the River
Saving Savannah
List

Let's Talk Race: Historical Fiction List Inspired by Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, March 05
“But what some folks want you to be and what you is...well, sometimes they gonna be two different things. But you will always know who is in here. Got me? This is who you are.”--Karyn Parsons, How High the Moon Inspired by Stamped:  Racism, Antiracism and You, these books shed light and humanize history by allowing readers to go beyond dates and facts to get to know the true story.  
This is My America
The Only Black Girls in Town
List

Let's Talk Race: A Fiction List Inspired by Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, March 05
“That's the problem. We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us. What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?” ― Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give Inspired by Stamped:  Racism, Antiracism and You, these stories give voice to the lives of today's teens and tweens--the challenges they face as well as their triumphs.  
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

#OwnVoices: Class Act

  • Taelor J.
  • Thursday, June 23

New Kid, the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal, is now joined by Jerry Craft’s powerful Class Act.

Love from a to Z
Love from A to Z
List

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: Fiction Recommendations for YA Readers

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Wednesday, March 03
March has been recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month since 1987 when President Ronald Reagan issued a public proclamation urging Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities “The encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” Developmental disabilities include disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, down syndrome, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and affect a persons growth and/or cognition. The aim of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is to raise awareness ab
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Read Woke Across America Week

  • Taelor J.
  • Friday, March 05

Let’s show out children a world where everyone does not look the same, worship the same, or even think the same—and that this is the beauty of the world. Let’s teach them that in spite of our differences, we’re more alike than different, and learning brings us closer together. Let’s join together and Read WOKE Across America!

American Street
The Poet X
List

Read Woke Across America Week: Woke Books for Tweens & Teens

  • Taelor J.
  • Saturday, February 27
Are you looking for a way to #ReadWoke Across America? This booklist will help guide you to finding great books for tweens and teens that challenge the status quo and gives representation to the underrepresented and/or oppressed. Read Woke Across America Week starts the first week of March in honor of Zero Discrimination Day. 
Blog
Richland Library Main

iRead: Jason Reynolds

  • Richland Library
  • Monday, March 01

Jason Reynolds is an author and poet who grew up in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Inspired by Queen Latifah and the other rappers he listened to in his youth, he began writing poetry at the age of 9. 

In January 2020, Jason Reynolds was named as the Library of Congress’s national ambassador for young people’s literature, a position designed to encourage young people to develop an interest in reading.

Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Stamped: Who Were They Really?

  • Taelor J.
  • Friday, March 05

The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. Racist ideas are woven into the fabric of this country, and the first step to building an antiracist America is acknowledging America's racist past and present.

Blog
Richland Library Main

Putting Research into Your Job Search

  • Bland L.
  • Thursday, February 18

One of the problems facing first-time job seekers, or those contemplating a career change, is that they may have a general idea of the kind of work they’d like to do but lack detailed knowledge about what this work involves.

The 5 AM Club
Getting Things Done
List

Stay Motivated and Win this Year!

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, February 17
A list of personal development books have been created to assist you on your journey to victory! 2020 is gone and over, but 2021 has 365 brand new ways for you to prove just how resilient you are. We already have a month in the hole, let's take advantage of the next few. You're only a decision away...
Tess of the Road
Damsel
List

There's Always Room for Dragons in Teen Fiction

  • Alison B.
  • Tuesday, February 16
Fantasy stories are full of interesting magical creatures, but nothing holds a flame to the fire-breathing behemoths that are dragons. From treasure hoarders to city destroyers to faithful companions and more, check out the young adult books below for stories of fierce and fiery drakes.
Blog
Richland Library North Main

Stamped: This is Not a History Book

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Monday, February 15

"This is not a history book...." There's so much packed in that one profound statement that Jason Reynolds reiterates at the beginning of Stamped: Antriracism, Racism, and You by Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi.

I Want More Pizza
Savings and Investment Information for Teens
List

Budgeting and Money Saving Skills For Teens

  • Thomas M.
  • Friday, February 12
Financial skills are key to taking control of your destiny. Money you save today could make a lasting difference in the future. Budgeting for personal goals are great habits to build. Adults may not like to admit it, but many of them wish they could turn back time and read up about this! The books listed below offer good advice for saving and budgeting. There are many digital books on money management available for instant checkout over on Hoopla.
The Meet-cute Project
Together, Apart
List

New Teen Romances

  • Alison B.
  • Wednesday, February 10
Valentine's Day is right around the corner. If you're feeling the love in the air or want something sweet to make your heart melt, swoon over these teen picks below.
The Black Flamingo
The Black Flamingo
List

YA Book Recommendations for Black History Month

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Thursday, February 04
28 books that celebrate and explore black culture, communities, social dynamics, and identities. Find great Middle Grade #OwnVoices Black History Month Recommendations here. 
Blog
Richland Library Main

#OwnVoices: Bring On the Blessings (Book #1 of Blessings series)

  • Ariel H.
  • Thursday, June 23

When a post-Reconstruction African-American community succumbs to a desperate need for funds and purpose, its mayor puts the small town up for sale and finds a buyer in Bernardine Brown, who believes the town's sale to be a sign from God. 🏠🏠

Standing on Her Shoulders
Because I Was a Girl
List

Women Making History for Tweens & Teens

  • Heather M.
  • Monday, February 01
From Vice President Kamala Harris to Michaela Goade, the first BIPOC woman to win a Caldecott medal, these are just a few of the women making history in 2021.  Let's be clear.  Women have always made history.  Sadly, they have been overshadowed, overlooked or just plain erased from many history books.  But no more.  Discover unsung heroes and (good) troublemakers in these books and appreciate the impact that women have made.  
Explorer
The History of Ancient Egypt.
List

Booklist: Exploration for fun

  • Helene F.
  • Thursday, January 28
Exploration Generation   Do you want to explore history and geography, whenever you want?  Then welcome to a new way of thinking of generations. Ask your local librarian for even more suggestions!
The Self-care Solution
Badass Affirmations
List

Inspired to Grow Your Relationships?!

  • Ariel H.
  • Thursday, January 28
We have just the books to help you develop those relationships that matter to you. We've got you covered whether it's with a significant other, yourself, friends and/or family. 
If It Makes You Happy
The (other) F Word
List

Teen Body Positivity

  • Alison B.
  • Friday, January 22
Body positivity encourages self-love and the acceptance of all bodies. These teen books featuring plus size main characters celebrate and remind us that you don't have to be a certain size or shape to be the hero or fall in love.
Blog
Richland Library Main

2021 Career Makeover Tips!

  • Sylvie G.
  • Wednesday, February 03

A results oriented (and dare I say, fun) approach to addressing four key career development areas.