Filtering by: “Pre-Teen Programs”
Let's Go, LEGO!
Jul
26

Let's Go, LEGO!

Drop in for LEGO time with your friends, family, and community of builders. We'll have various creative prompts and you can put your work on display downstairs in Children's. 

If you have clean and sorted LEGO bricks you'd like to donate to JTL, please bring them in clear ziplock bags and our LEGO Leader will add them to our stash.

All ages welcome, duplos will be available for the youngest builders in the Play Corner.

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Reptile Nook
Jul
29

Reptile Nook

Live animals at the library!

The Reptile Nook from Agawam, MA, returns to JTL with animal friends. Dive into learning about different reptile species with Master Herpetologist Jess, ask lots of questions, and have fun!

Meet Red the Uromastyx, Cream the corn snake, and Dahlia the Mexican Redknee Tarantula.

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D&D
Jul
31

D&D

The world needs heroes! What courageous souls would dare to fight horrific monsters, evade traps, solve puzzles, and quest for treasure? Who among you shall free realms from the tyrannical rule of a dragon? To fight for peoples of a fantastical, magical world, and become their champions? Do you hear the call to be an adventurer? In the amazing worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, your imagination is your greatest weapon!

Adventurers ages 12-18 must come prepared with completed character sheet, ready for fast-paced and focused game play. Some DND campaign experience required.
 
(Note to parents/guardians: Please pick up teens prior to the library's prompt closing time of 8:00 pm.)

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Chemistry in Color *Registration required
Aug
2

Chemistry in Color *Registration required

Join UCONN Senior Chemistry scholar, Keera, to learn about the science of pigments and finding color in nature. Participants will make their own pigments using different plants and paint their own artistic creation by the end of the program.

Registration required; spots are limited.

This program is for ages 10+.

Call the library at 860-642-7763 or sign up at the adult circulation desk.

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3D Printing Workshops *Registration required
Aug
6

3D Printing Workshops *Registration required

Interested in using JTL's 3D printer? Join our resident team of 3D Printers, Mr. John Flegert and teen volunteers, Aiden & Tristan, for an introductory workshop. You'll learn about how to find a file to print from Thingiverse.com or Printables.com, receive a demo and training on how to set up the printer, and schedule a time to print your creation here at the library.

Registration required; sign up at the Adult Circ Desk or call 860-642-7763. Space is limited.

Summer workshop dates:

Aug 6

Aug 13

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3D Printing Workshops *Registration required
Aug
13

3D Printing Workshops *Registration required

Interested in using JTL's 3D printer? Join our resident team of 3D Printers, Mr. John Flegert and teen volunteers, Aiden & Tristan, for an introductory workshop. You'll learn about how to find a file to print from Thingiverse.com or Printables.com, receive a demo and training on how to set up the printer, and schedule a time to print your creation here at the library.

Registration required; sign up at the Adult Circ Desk. Space is limited.

Summer workshop dates:

Aug 6

Aug 13

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D&D
Aug
14

D&D

The world needs heroes! What courageous souls would dare to fight horrific monsters, evade traps, solve puzzles, and quest for treasure? Who among you shall free realms from the tyrannical rule of a dragon? To fight for peoples of a fantastical, magical world, and become their champions? Do you hear the call to be an adventurer? In the amazing worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, your imagination is your greatest weapon!

Adventurers ages 12-18 must come prepared with completed character sheet, ready for fast-paced and focused game play. Some DND campaign experience required.
 
(Note to parents/guardians: Please pick up teens prior to the library's prompt closing time of 8:00 pm.)

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Game & Pizza *Register
Aug
23

Game & Pizza *Register

Join Claire and Tristan to learn to play Tower of Hanoi.

Beginner level, no experience expected. The game sets we'll be playing on were 3D printed at the library! There will be some time challenges with prizes and, also pizza!

Ages 8-adult. Registration requested

Sign up at the adult circulation desk or call 860-642-7763.

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D&D
Aug
28

D&D

The world needs heroes! What courageous souls would dare to fight horrific monsters, evade traps, solve puzzles, and quest for treasure? Who among you shall free realms from the tyrannical rule of a dragon? To fight for peoples of a fantastical, magical world, and become their champions? Do you hear the call to be an adventurer? In the amazing worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, your imagination is your greatest weapon!

Adventurers ages 12-18 must come prepared with completed character sheet, ready for fast-paced and focused game play. Some DND campaign experience required.
 
(Note to parents/guardians: Please pick up teens prior to the library's prompt closing time of 8:00 pm.)

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What's In a Ranger's Pack? with TLGV
Jul
24

What's In a Ranger's Pack? with TLGV

Whether you already love to get your kids outdoors or you want to try more family outdoor adventures, this program will give you the information and ideas you need. We will start off with a pop quiz: “How many of the ranger's backpack essentials can you guess right away?” After we make our guesses, a TLGV Ranger will give advice on what to keep in your backpack for every outdoor adventure. They will also offer ideas for a “Go Kit” to keep in your car for unexpected opportunities for family outdoor fun.

Join members from The Last Green Valley to learn about what outdoorspeople keep in their packs. This is a multi-generational program.

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D&D
Jul
24

D&D

The world needs heroes! What courageous souls would dare to fight horrific monsters, evade traps, solve puzzles, and quest for treasure? Who among you shall free realms from the tyrannical rule of a dragon? To fight for peoples of a fantastical, magical world, and become their champions? Do you hear the call to be an adventurer? In the amazing worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, your imagination is your greatest weapon!

Adventurers ages 12-18 must come prepared with completed character sheet, ready for fast-paced and focused game play. Some DND campaign experience required.
 
(Note to parents/guardians: Please pick up teens prior to the library's prompt closing time of 8:00 pm.)

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All Ages Read Aloud: The Plain Princess
Jul
18

All Ages Read Aloud: The Plain Princess

Join us for a special all ages family read aloud of a classic fairy tale, The Plain Princess. We will meet in the Story Room to read and discuss this beautiful book published in 1945 with long-lasting enjoyment for all.

FOR ALL AGES 6 and up. It is a story of the main character's transformational journey in many ways, not just on the surface, from selfishness to selflessness, from haughty to kind and generous, from "plain" or ordinary, to beautiful. Is it true magic that causes the 3 different powerful magical transformations once for each of three months that the formerly "plain" girl lives in the cottage with the good widow and her 5 beautiful accomplished daughters?  Is it Love? Is it humility? Is it about finding the true meaning in life that changes one inwardly and outwardly? If one becomes a truly good person does that change how they look or how they are perceived? 

This is an especially thought provoking story for ages 6 to 18. Parents welcome to listen too. The story is not too short. It takes a captivating 35 minutes for Gwen to to read aloud with discussion to follow. Three are some lovely color illustrations that enhance the powerful story.

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D&D
Jul
17

D&D

The world needs heroes! What courageous souls would dare to fight horrific monsters, evade traps, solve puzzles, and quest for treasure? Who among you shall free realms from the tyrannical rule of a dragon? To fight for peoples of a fantastical, magical world, and become their champions? Do you hear the call to be an adventurer? In the amazing worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, your imagination is your greatest weapon!

Adventurers ages 12-18 must come prepared with completed character sheet, ready for fast-paced and focused game play. Some DND campaign experience required.
 
(Note to parents/guardians: Please pick up teens prior to the library's prompt closing time of 8:00 pm.)

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3D Printing Workshops
Jul
16

3D Printing Workshops

Interested in using JTL's 3D printer? Join our resident team of 3D Printers, Mr. John Flegert and teen volunteers, Aiden & Tristan, for an introductory workshop. You'll learn about how to find a file to print from Thingiverse.com or Printables.com, receive a demo and training on how to set up the printer, and schedule a time to print your creation here at the library. Registration required; sign up at the Adult Circ Desk. Space is limited.

Summer workshop dates:

July 2

July 9

July 16

Aug 6

Aug 13

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Let's Go, LEGO!
Jul
12

Let's Go, LEGO!

Drop in for LEGO time with your friends, family, and community of builders. We'll have various creative prompts and you can put your work on display downstairs in Children's. 

If you have clean and sorted LEGO bricks you'd like to donate to JTL, please bring them in clear ziplock bags and our LEGO Leader will add them to our stash.

All ages welcome, duplos will be available for the youngest builders in the Play Corner.

View Event →
Drumming About You
Jul
11

Drumming About You

Our library is going to sparkle.

BOB BLOOM is returning with his colorful cargo of lovable drums for us to get our hands onto. Together with Bob at the helm, we’ll get playful with some of the world’s most joyous songs.

Bob’s 100% participatory music has enlivened entire audiences at: Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts; Wadsworth Museum; New Haven International Festival of Arts and Ideas; New Year’s Eve “First Night Celebrations” in Hartford, Westport, Worcester, Providence, Boston.

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D&D
Jul
10

D&D

The world needs heroes! What courageous souls would dare to fight horrific monsters, evade traps, solve puzzles, and quest for treasure? Who among you shall free realms from the tyrannical rule of a dragon? To fight for peoples of a fantastical, magical world, and become their champions? Do you hear the call to be an adventurer? In the amazing worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, your imagination is your greatest weapon!

Adventurers ages 12-18 must come prepared with completed character sheet, ready for fast-paced and focused game play. Some DND campaign experience required.
 
(Note to parents/guardians: Please pick up teens prior to the library's prompt closing time of 8:00 pm.)

View Event →
3D Printing Workshops
Jul
9

3D Printing Workshops

Interested in using JTL's 3D printer? Join our resident team of 3D Printers, Mr. John Flegert and teen volunteers, Aiden & Tristan, for an introductory workshop. You'll learn about how to find a file to print from Thingiverse.com or Printables.com, receive a demo and training on how to set up the printer, and schedule a time to print your creation here at the library. Registration required; sign up at the Adult Circ Desk. Space is limited.

Summer workshop dates:

July 2

July 9

July 16

Aug 6

Aug 13

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D&D
Jul
3

D&D

The world needs heroes! What courageous souls would dare to fight horrific monsters, evade traps, solve puzzles, and quest for treasure? Who among you shall free realms from the tyrannical rule of a dragon? To fight for peoples of a fantastical, magical world, and become their champions? Do you hear the call to be an adventurer? In the amazing worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, your imagination is your greatest weapon!

Adventurers ages 12-18 must come prepared with completed character sheet, ready for fast-paced and focused game play. Some DND campaign experience required.
 
(Note to parents/guardians: Please pick up teens prior to the library's prompt closing time of 8:00 pm.)

View Event →
3D Printing Workshops
Jul
2

3D Printing Workshops

Interested in using JTL's 3D printer? Join our resident team of 3D Printers, Mr. John Flegert and teen volunteers, Aiden & Tristan, for an introductory workshop. You'll learn about how to find a file to print from Thingiverse.com or Printables.com, receive a demo and training on how to set up the printer, and schedule a time to print your creation here at the library.

Registration required; sign up at the Adult Circ Desk. Space is limited.

Summer workshop dates:

July 2

July 9

July 16

Aug 6

Aug 13

View Event →
D&D
Jun
26

D&D

The world needs heroes! What courageous souls would dare to fight horrific monsters, evade traps, solve puzzles, and quest for treasure? Who among you shall free realms from the tyrannical rule of a dragon? To fight for peoples of a fantastical, magical world, and become their champions? Do you hear the call to be an adventurer? In the amazing worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, your imagination is your greatest weapon!

Adventurers ages 12-18 must come prepared with completed character sheet, ready for fast-paced and focused game play. Some DND campaign experience required.
 
(Note to parents/guardians: Please pick up teens prior to the library's prompt closing time of 8:00 pm.)

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Fam Jam: Summer Solstice!
Jun
21

Fam Jam: Summer Solstice!

  • Multigenerational, in the Pollinator Garden (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Welcome all families to jam together! Youth Services Librarian MG and her spouse, Jaron (guitar teacher at Waldron's Studio 88 in Mansfield), are excited to facilitate an all-ages singalong here at JTL! Bring your voices and instruments to make joyful noise.

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Welcome to Summer Reading
Jun
21

Welcome to Summer Reading

Summer Reading activities begin today!

This year’s theme is “Level Up at Your Library,” so get ready for some fun and games.
We’ll have all kinds of fun programs, special summer reading books on display, and prizes youth can collect after completing different ways to read throughout the summer.

Youth Summer Reading: Sign up any day during the summer to pick up your Ways to Read tracker. Youth prizes will be available from June 21 until September 5, 2025 (last day to enter for a grand prize).

Adult Summer Reading: Participate by reading and reviewing books between June 21 & September 5. Each review will earn you an entry into a drawing for a grand prize.

Our programs kick-off on Saturday, June 21 with a variety of Welcome to Summer Reading Activities!

Join us outside on June 21 for:

10am-1pm: Building Resilient Community w/ Grain Milling; Big Collaborative Art Making; and Big Blue Blocks

10am-12pm: Reptile Nook & reptile friends will be here!

12pm-1pm: Fam Jam: Summer Solstice in the Pollinator Garden

 

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D&D
Jun
19

D&D

The world needs heroes! What courageous souls would dare to fight horrific monsters, evade traps, solve puzzles, and quest for treasure? Who among you shall free realms from the tyrannical rule of a dragon? To fight for peoples of a fantastical, magical world, and become their champions? Do you hear the call to be an adventurer? In the amazing worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, your imagination is your greatest weapon!

Adventurers ages 12-18 must come prepared with completed character sheet, ready for fast-paced and focused game play. Some DND campaign experience required.
 
(Note to parents/guardians: Please pick up teens prior to the library's prompt closing time of 8:00 pm.)

View Event →