Nutley Public Library Offers Host of Teen Events

As summer quickly approaches, many students are planning what to do with friends, family, or even on their own. Planning things to do can be tough for high school students, especially when they don’t have a driver's license. This resorts to students doing things around town. Although hanging outside is fun, what's better than air conditioning? In regards to keeping cool, the Nutley Public Library has many fun events for all ages such as volunteering, events, clubs, and many more interesting things. 

Something to know about the Nutley Public Library is that they belong to BCCLS. This allows them to access books from 77 libraries, so if a patron is looking for a book and the local library does not have, they can contact other surrounding libraries to borrow it. The book usually will get to the library within 2-3 days and they will contact the borrower as soon as it arrives. A library card is required for this, and some of the events at the library require borrowers to have a library card. The card is free. All a Nutleyite needs to do is register on the website (nutleypubliclibrary.org) and then go to the library with a parent if they are under 18 to pick up the card. The teen or parent must show a picture ID as well as a current form of identification with a Nutley address.

At the library there are several events for students. The most popular event is the Summer Reading Program. This event begins on June 22 and ends on August 10. All students have to do is register online and then log the books they read over the summer. The more books read, the more tickets received. With their tickets, students have a chance to win big prizes. The prizes include a Nintendo Switch, Fujifilm photo printer, gift cards, book bundles, and much more. When the event conclues on August 10, the library will have everyone get together with an End-of-Summer Show featuring the exotic animal rescue group, Eyes of the Wild, and announce all the winners of the prizes.  

Another popular event teens usually get themselves involved in is the Summer Teen Volunteering. The library collects volunteers to register children and teens for the Summer Reading Program, helping at the prize table, assisting with the preparation for programs, and Makers Monday. The library does this as a way to keep teens busy and fulfill their community service requirements. Inorder to be a volunteer you must be a Nutley resident or student, between the ages 14-18, and enrolled in grade 9-12. There is no requirement to have previous work experience, but you must have good communication, teamwork skills, a positive attitude, and dependability. 

Other events are the Paws & Relax and Teen Summer Club. These two events are not as big as the others but are still fun. The Paws & Relax is for teens to attend and unwind from stress and learn about seeing guide dog training. This will be taught by The Seeing Eye of Essex County furry and human guests. The Teens Summer Club is for grades 6-12 to interact with other tweens and teens. At this club students play video games, make crafts, and enjoy tasty snacks. 

Not only does the library have one time events but they also have monthly events. Three of the monthly events are the Video Game Club, Manga & Anime Club, and Munchie Madness. The Video Game Club is for grades 6-12 and will include playing with popular Switch games with friends on the big screen. Manga & Anime Club is for grades 6-12 and involves trying Japanese snacks, watching anime, discussing manga, and talking about other pop culture media with friends. Lastly, Munchie Madness is where teens are allowed to take part in various food-themed challenges, eat snacks, and win prizes. All three of these events do not require a registration.

The library does not only offer events where teens can socialize and make friends, but they also have a quiet environment that welcomes everyone to go to and study, read, and take out books with a library card.