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

Baked to Perfection: National Dessert Month

While October usually ushers in cooler temperatures, fall colors, and terrifying thrills, it's also National Dessert Month! Ranging from the bittersweet to the cavity-inducing, the titles below are a perfect way to celebrate this sugar-coated holiday. Take a whisk and check out one of the books b...

Read full blog post

Upcoming Events for Teens

This event is in the "Everyone" group.

FSPL Holiday Food Drive

All Day 11/1 - 12/31
Main
Location: Main
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Holiday
Program Description:
Help out local families in need by donating to this year’s Fort Smith Public Library Holiday Food Drive. One in five people in our area are struggling, one in three rural Arkansas children live in food insecure homes.  Drop off your non-peris...
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Christmas Card Craft

All Day 12/1 - 12/23
Dallas
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Holiday
Program Description:
Stop by the Dallas Street Branch Library and make a Christmas card for your family or friends! Use your creative talents and our supplies to decorate and personalize your card.  This activity is open to all ages all hours that the library is ope...
This event is in the "Everyone" group.
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Celebrations, Special Events
Program Description:
Celebrate National Cocoa Day at the Dallas Street branch library.  Stop by from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and receive a free cup of hot chocolate! ...
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.
Location: Main
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Book Sales, Books & Writing
Program Description:
Local author Rosyln B. Wilder will appear at the Fort Smith Public Library to promote and sign copies of her new book, Empyreal Nights. Growing up in her secluded community in the Garden of Eden, Iris heard myths about monsters outside. As a princess...
This event is in the "Preschool" group.
This event is in the "School Age" group.
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Game On!

11:00am - 1:00pm
Windsor
Location: Windsor
Room: Storytime Nook
Age Group: Preschool, School Age, Everyone
Program Type: Games & Activities
Program Description:
Let's play some games! Add some FUN to your Saturday with Game On! Team games, board games, video games, which will YOU choose? ...
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.
Location: Windsor
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, How-To
Program Description:
Take your holiday gifts to the next level with beautiful and unique hand-painted watercolor tags! We will provide all the supplies for this free event for adults and teens. Limit 20. ...
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Monday Morning Movie: Abominable

10:30am - 12:30pm
Main
Location: Main
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Movies
Program Description:
Come enjoy a movie on Monday morning!  Abominable takes audiences on an epic 2,000-mile adventure from the streets of Shanghai to the breathtaking Himalayan snowscapes. When teenage Yi encounters a young Yeti on the roof of her apartment bu...
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

BINGO for Books (for Adults!)

6:00pm - 7:00pm
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.
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Holiday
Program Description:
Get into the holiday spirit with some cookies and Christmas-themed crafts at the Dallas Street Branch Library.  Cookies and crafts will be available all day, while supplies last.     ...

Databases for Teens

American Government

 American Government from ABC-CLIO connects contemporary issues with the foundations of government and compares the political and economic systems of the United States with those of other countries.

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 History

The American History database from ABC-CLIO lets student researchers explore the key events, defining moments, and unique individual contributions that have shaped the nation.

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 History Online

By providing the most comprehensive range of information in one complete resource, American History offers a virtual library of American history for educators, students, and researchers of all ages. Includes articles, images, primary source documents, timelines, videos, and slideshows.

Visit Website

American Mosaic: The African American Experience

Providing a comprehensive survey of African American history, The African American Experience from ABC-CLIO shows students the challenges and contributions of African Americans across political, social, artistic, and literary contexts.

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 American Indian Experience

The American Indian Experience from ABC-CLIO gives students entry into an often neglected side of American history, illuminating both the historical and contemporary practices of more than 150 Native American tribes across North America.

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 Latino American Experience

The Latino American Experience from ABC-CLIO offers students a deep exploration of this growing national identity that includes Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Guatemalans, Cubans, Dominicans, Columbians, Ecuadorians, and other Latino peoples in the U.S. 

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

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

Health and Wellness Issues

Health and Wellness Issues by ABC-CLIO enables students to better understand the health and wellness issues affecting them, their peers, and our greater society through a multitude of authoritative reference entries and expert perspective essays.

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

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

Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society

News sound bites and traditional databases often merely scratch the surface of the most important issues. From ABC-CLIO, Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society helps students develop an in-depth understanding of how society shapes and is shaped by controversy.

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

LearningExpress

LearningExpress is an interactive online learning platform for job searching, workplace skills improvement, career certification and licensing exam preparation. It also covers college entrance and graduate school admissions exam preparation, GED exam preparation, and basic skills improvement for all ages. 

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

Mango Languages

Learn more than 70 languages through real conversations, and also features ESL lessons. Great for kids.

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

Pop Culture Universe: Icons, Idols, Ideas

Pop Culture Universe: Icons, Idols, Ideas from ABC-CLIO is an irresistible yet authoritative online resource that looks at American history through a unique lens, examining the values, accomplishments, and cultural development of the U.S. from the Age of Innocence in the 1900s to the social media revolution of the 21st century.

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 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 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