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

Most Circulated YA Fiction Titles!

As we wrap up 2024, let's take a look at the young adult fiction books that circulated the most at the Fort Smith Public Library throughout the year!  Sarah Maas and Suzanne Collins were a couple of the favorite authors.  Take a look at the list below and if you would like to check availab...
Read full blog post

Upcoming Events for Teens

This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Mardi Gras Mask Craft

All Day 2/15 - 3/4
Everyone
Dallas
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Holiday
Program Description:

Use your skills and creativity to make your own Mardi Gras 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 "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Watercolor on the Weekend: Common Challenges & Solutions

10:30am - 12:30pm
Teens, Adults
Windsor
Location: Windsor
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Program Description:

This month we’ll talk about common challenges and struggles with watercolor and learn some tips, tricks, and solutions! FREE with all supplies provided, and open to all teens and adults. Limited to first 16 participants. 

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

Saturday Cinema: Just Mercy (PG-13)

11:00am - 1:30pm
Teens, Adults
Miller
Location: Miller
Room: Anita Paddock Community Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Movies
Program Description:

Join us at the Miller Branch as we celebrate Black History Month with the showing of Just Mercy. A powerful and thought-provoking true story follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his history-making battle for justice.

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

BINGO for Books (for Adults!)

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teens, Adults
Main
Location: Main
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Games & Activities
Program Description:

Bring your lucky bingo daubers or lucky troll for this fun hour of bingo! We will have book prizes for winners of this free program!

This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Make a Library Birthday Card (Dallas)

All Day 2/26 - 3/5
Everyone
Dallas
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Celebrations
Program Description:

Wish the Dallas Street Branch Library a happy 25th anniversary by decorating a card to hang in the window. All materials will be provided for this free do-it-yourself activity for all ages.

This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Color Our World Bookmark Contest (March 1 - March 31)

All Day
Everyone
All Library Locations
Virtual Event
Location: All Library Locations
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Celebrations
Program Description:

Show off your creative talents!  In preparation for the 2025 Color Our World Summer Reading Program, you're invited to create a colorful bookmark.  All ages are encouraged to join the fun.

This event is in the "Everyone" group.
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Celebrations, Special Events
Program Description:

Stop by the Dallas Street Branch Library and help us celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Dallas Branch with popcorn and cookies all day long. Make a birthday card for library to hang in the window while you’re here.

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

Take & Make Craft: Bean Art Bird Craft

All Day
Teens, Adults, Everyone
Main
Location: Main
Age Group: Teens, Adults, Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Program Description:

Create this bean art bird craft using our Take & Make Craft Kit! Pick up a kit with all the materials and instructions, then enjoy assembling it at home. Kits will be available at the Circulation Desk starting March 6 while supplies last.

This event is in the "Everyone" group.

St. Patrick’s Day Mask Craft

All Day 3/6 - 3/17
Everyone
Dallas
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Holiday
Program Description:

Use your creativity and skills to make your own Shamrock St. Patrick’s Day Mask!  All materials will be provided for this FREE make and take activity for all ages at the Dallas Street Branch Library. 

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.”

Visit Website

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.

Visit Website

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.

Visit Website

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.

Visit Website

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.

Visit Website

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.”

 

Visit Website

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.”

Visit Website

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