Teens

Teen Reading Area

 

The teen area at the Main Library is an inclusive, fun, and safe environment for teens between the ages 13 and 17 to socialize, study, and create a community. The Fort Smith Public Library aims to provide teen programming that promotes literacy and creativity in the community and encourages teens to become critical thinking, global citizens. The teen book collection includes fiction, non-fiction (including anime and manga), and a new releases book display.   

Award Winners

Have you checked out this year’s award winners?  To see the current and past award winners, click here.

Library Lists

Need help finding something to read?  Take a look at NoveList, ask our staff for recommendations, and check out our library lists for teens.

A Universe of Stories

Teen Blog Entries

Unearth a Story Bookmark Contest!

Show off your creative talents!  In preparation for the 2026 Unearth a Story Summer Reading Program, you're invited to create a colorful bookmark.  All ages are encouraged to join the fun.

One winner will be chosen from four age categories (7 years & younger, 8-12 ye...

Read full blog post

Upcoming Events for Teens

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

LEGO Club

5:30pm–6:30pm
School Age, Teens
Main
Location: Main
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teens
Program Type: Games & Activities
Program Description:

Kids, Tweens, and Teens are invited to the Main Library to design, create, and build unique creations with the LEGO Club!  Everyone loves LEGOs; this event is free and supplies are provided – just bring your imagination!

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

Homeschool Enrichment: Beginning Drawing, Part 3

10:30am–12:00pm
School Age, Teens
Main
Location: Main
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, How-To
Program Description:

Homeschoolers, come join us as we continue our series on beginning drawing! (If you missed the first sessions, no problem! Come join us anyway!) Geared toward 4th grade and up, but younger siblings welcome with adult.

This event is in the "Everyone" group

Saturday Storytime – Windsor Branch Library

11:00am–12:00pm
Everyone
Windsor
Location: Windsor
Room: Storytime Nook
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Storytimes
Program Description:

Saturday Storytime is held the first Saturday of the month at the Windsor Drive Branch Library. Join us for books, songs, movement, and more!


 

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group
Location: Main
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Genealogy & History
Program Description:

It’s not every year that the United States of America turns 250 years old! The Genealogy Department invites you to join us each month in 2026 for a special event celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

This event is in the "Everyone" group

St. Patrick’s Day Mask Craft

All Day 3/9–3/17
Everyone
Dallas
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Holiday
Program Description:

Use your skills and imagination to make your own Shamrock St. Patrick’s Day Mask. All materials will be provided at this free do-it-yourself activity for all ages at the Dallas Street Branch Library. 

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Genealogy Class - Irish Roots

5:30pm–7:30pm
School Age, Teens, Adults
Main
Location: Main
Room: Campbell Board Room
Age Group: School Age, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Genealogy & History
Program Description:

Join this month’s class to dig into your Irish roots. Learn resources and strategies to help you cross the pond and learn about Irish Genealogy. 

This event is in the "Everyone" group

March Crafts & Cookies Day

All Day
Everyone
Dallas
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Program Description:

Stop by the Dallas Street Branch Library to complete some fun March themed crafts! Cookies will be served.

This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

Kids Create: Elephant Crafts!

11:00am–12:00pm
Preschool, School Age, Teens
Miller
Location: Miller
Room: Anita Paddock Community Room
Age Group: Preschool, School Age, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Movies
Program Description:

Join us at the Miller Branch Library for Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who (Rated G) and some cute elephant crafts. FREE and all supplies provided!

This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Open Mic Night at Dewey's Café

5:30pm–7:30pm
Teens, Adults
Main
Location: Main
Room: Dewey's Café
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Books & Writing, Performances
Program Description:

Poets, musicians, and other talented folks - come join us for this casual, fun event. Just show up, no need to register. Showcase your talent, or just come out to listen and enjoy.

Databases for Teens

American History

Surveys American history from the Colonial era and American Revolution through to the nation's rise to eminence as a global superpower. Analyzes American political conflict, economic development, and changing culture.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

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American Mosaic: The African American Experience

Includes student learning modules related to African American studies; includes biographies, scholarly articles, primary sources, and images.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

Arkansas Driving Tests

Practice permit tests and handbooks for cars, motorcycles, and CDL.  Also available in Spanish.

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CultureGrams

Primary sources, statistics, and cultural reports covering the countries of the world, states, and Canadian provinces.  Explore the United States and discover state flags, maps, sports teams, recipes, symbols, songs, and more. 

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

eBooks Central

A collection from ProQuest providing access to authoritative eBooks from the world's top publishers on a range of subjects: arts, business management, education, general knowledge, health & medicine, history & political science, law, literature & language, religion & philosophy, science & technology, and social science.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

eLibrary: Academic

A general reference collection of periodical and digital media content specifically tailored for K-12 schools and libraries of all kinds, covering a variety of subjects including business, education, general interest, health, language arts, sciences, social sciences, and many other curriculum-specific subject areas.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

eLibrary: Guided Research

Provides access to eLibrary’s periodical and digital media collection through a user interface specifically designed for student researchers.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

 

Visit Website

Gale Virtual Reference Library

Database of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.  Your library card is required to access this database.

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Hoopla

Hoopla is a digital media service that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV! With no waiting, titles can be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later. We have hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, with more being added daily. Hoopla is like having your public library at your fingertips. Anytime. Anywhere.

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Learning: Literature

Students can find author biographies, contemporary criticism, reviews, and multimedia resources from medieval times to the present.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

ProQuest Central

An easy-to-use multimedia resource that supports research in business, health and medical, social sciences, arts and humanities, education, science and technology, and dozens of other disciplines.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

ProQuest One Literature

Primary and critical text database for literary research at all levels. Provides full text access to more than 500,000 works of poetry, drama and prose stretching from the 8th century through the present day, including primary resource collections from diverse and modern authors.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

ProQuest Research Companion

This database helps students understand the scholarly research process and supports educators as they teach the core information literacy principles of finding, evaluating, and using information.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

Salem Press Online Collection

Salem Presses offers a wealth of information on literature, history, science, health, and more. Researchers have access to a collection of reference materials, eBooks, and more. This resource also has biographical information and primary documents. Outside the library, use fortsmith as the remote password.

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Science Online

With a wealth of content and a dynamic design that facilitates STEM research and learning, Science Online offers a comprehensive overview of a broad range of scientific disciplines. 

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

SIRS Discoverer

General reference database for elementary and middle school learners, researchers, and educators covering curriculum areas and content sets such as reading, language arts, current events, science, social studies, history, health, and technology.  SIRS Discoverer provides editorially-selected, indexed, and curated materials from over 2,100 newspapers, magazines, and websites offering guided research for young researchers.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

 

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SIRS Issues Researcher

Background and analysis on 350+ leading issues, providing pros and cons on social, scientific, health, historic, economic, political, and global issues.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

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Today's Science

Today’s Science bridges the gap between the science taught in class and real-world discoveries—giving in-depth explanations of important advances in biology, chemistry, the environment, space, physics, and technology.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

World Book Student

Find thousands of articles and multimedia aligned to curriculum. Contains numerous tools to engage users in 21st-century education and blended-learning practices.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website