Find time for personal growth, family connections, and relaxation during the busy holiday season – at your local Hennepin County library. The following teen programs are scheduled free in December at Hennepin County libraries. For Hennepin County Library’s complete program schedule, visit or call the library or go online to www.hclib.org
Hennepin County Library – Augsburg Park
7100 Nicollet Ave., Richfield, 952-847-5300
Teen Art Contest Reception
Monday, Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m. at Augsburg Park Library
Grade 6 and up. Attend this public reception, mingle with fellow artists (from the November art contest) and await award announcements. The entire family is welcome.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Augsburg Park Library.
Hennepin County Library – Brookdale
6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center, 952-847-5600
International Teen Club
Mondays, Dec. 6 & 20, Jan. 10 & 24, Feb. 7 & 21, 4-6 p.m. at Brookdale Library
Grade 6 and up. Explore your personality, improve leadership skills and increase community involvement. Learn something new and build friendships. “Hmonglish” is spoken during meetings!
Funding provided by a grant to the Library Foundation of Hennepin County from the Comcast Foundation.
Anime Manga Club
Wednesdays, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9; 4-5:30 p.m. at Brookdale Library
Registration required; begins Nov. 10; limit 20. Grade 6 and up. Whether you like shojo or shonen, or don’t know the difference yet, come read and discuss your favorite series and find new favorites here. Watch anime episodes after the book discussions. Pick up a copy of the book at the children’s Information Desk.
Presented in collaboration with Brooklyn Center Schools 21st Century Grant Program.
Teen Guys Read Book Club
Saturdays, Dec. 18, Jan. 15, Feb. 19; 2 p.m. at Brookdale Library
Registration required; begins Nov. 20; limit 10. Guys in grades 6-9. Get together to talk about great books with other guys! Pick up a copy of the book at the children’s Information Desk.
Guys Read is made possible by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County with generous support from the Best Buy Children’s Foundation and the Ann and Jack Cole Children’s Fund.
Teen Girls Only Book Club
Tuesdays, Dec. 21, Jan. 18, Feb. 15; 4 p.m. at Brookdale Library
Registration required; begins Nov. 23; limit 12. Girls in grades 7-9. Get together to talk about great books with other girls! Pick up a copy of the book at the children’s Information Desk.
Hennepin County Library – Brooklyn Park
8600 Zane Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, 952-847-5325
Anime Manga Club
Mondays, Dec. 6, Jan. 3, Feb. 7; 4:30-6 p.m. at Brooklyn Park Library
Grade 7 and up. Whether you like shojo or shonen, or don’t know the difference yet, come read and discuss your favorite series and find new favorites here. Watch anime episodes after the book discussions.
Open Tech Lab
Mondays, Dec. 13 & 27, Jan. 10 & 24, Feb. 14 & 28; 4-6 p.m. at Brooklyn Park Library
Grade 7 and up. Learn how to create video games or animation using a variety of software programs including Scratch, Audacity and ArtRage. Already know this stuff? Drop in and work independently. Taught by the library’s Teen Tech Squad.
This project is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Sponsored by the Best Buy Children’s Foundation.
Hennepin County Library – Champlin
12154 Ensign Ave. N., Champlin, 952-847-5350
Teen Manga Book Club
Thursdays, Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 17; 6-7:30 p.m. at Champlin Library
Grade 6 and up. Whether you like shojo or shonen, or don’t know the difference yet, discuss your favorite series and find new favorites here. Titles for each month will be selected by the club at the previous month’s meeting.
Teen Anime Club
Thursdays, Dec. 16, Jan. 27, Feb. 24; 6-7:30 p.m. at Champlin Library
Grade 6 and up. Can’t get enough anime? Join up to watch and review brand-new anime episodes, share artwork and hang out with other anime fans.
Hennepin County Library – East Lake
2727 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, 952-847-8425
Teen Job Assistance
Thursdays, Dec. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 17; 4-5 p.m. at East Lake Library
Registration required; begins Nov. 18; limit 6. Grade 8 and up. Get the help you need to land your next job! Minneapolis WorkForce Center staff will present tips and information on job search, then provide one-on-one assistance with your job search, applications, résumés and interview preparation.
Presented in collaboration with South Minneapolis WorkForce Center’s The Zone.
Hennepin County Library – Eden Prairie
565 Prairie Center Dr., Eden Prairie, 952-847-5375
Intermedia Arts: Video Poetry Workshop for Teens
Saturday, Dec. 4, 1-4 p.m. at Eden Prairie Library
Registration required; began Nov. 6; limit 12. Grade 7 and up. Combine creative writing with digital video to create your own video poem! Work collaboratively to create poetry and make it come alive through visual arts.
This project is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Presented in collaboration with Intermedia Arts.
Hennepin County Library – Franklin
1314 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, 952-847-2925
Game On! Gaming Wednesdays!
Wednesdays, Dec. 1-Feb. 23, 4-4:30 p.m. at Franklin Library
Grade 6 and up. Play PS2 or Wii games at the library! Grab a friend, bring your favorite board or card game, or play ours!
Made possible by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County through a grant from The McKnight Foundation.
Music Listening Club
Wednesdays, Dec. 1-Feb. 16, 4:45-5:45 p.m. at Franklin Library
Grade 6 and up. Listen to the sounds of Kanye West, Mos Def, NAS and local artists such as Desdemona, Brother Ali and more! Focus will be on the lyrics, reading them as poems and listening to the way they’re recited through the songs.
Made possible by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County through a grant from The McKnight Foundation.
Game On! Gaming Thursdays
Thursdays, Dec. 2-Feb. 24, 4-5 p.m. at Franklin Library
Grade 6 and up. Play PS2 or Wii games at the library! Grab a friend, bring your favorite board or card game, or play ours!
Made possible by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County through a grant from The McKnight Foundation.
Media Club
Thursdays, Dec. 2-Feb. 24, 5-7 p.m. at Franklin Library
Grade 6 and up. How do the different forms of media affect our lives? Talk about and examine journalism, mass media, the Internet, pop culture and much more!
Made possible by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County through a grant from The McKnight Foundation.
Down Time
Saturdays, Dec. 4, 11 & 18, Jan. 8, 15 & 29, Feb. 5-26; 3-6 p.m. at Franklin Library
Grade 6 and up. Looking for a quiet and comfortable space? Take advantage of “down time” at Franklin Teen Center! Work on the topic of the week or use our computers, board games and other self-directed activities.
Made possible by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County through a grant from The McKnight Foundation.
Game On! Gaming Tuesdays
Tuesdays, Dec. 7-Feb. 22, 4-5 p.m. at Franklin Library
Grade 6 and up. Play PS2 or Wii games at the library! Grab a friend, bring your favorite board or card game, or play ours!
Made possible by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County through a grant from The McKnight Foundation.
Hobbies
Tuesdays, Dec. 7-28, Jan. 4, Feb. 15 & 22; 5-7 p.m. at Franklin Learning Center
Grade 6 and up. What do you like to do in your free time? Draw? DJ? Write? Share your favorite pastimes or learn and explore what adults in the community like to do in their free time — knit, spoken word, cook, read… the possibilities are endless!
Held at Franklin Learning Center
Made possible by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County through a grant from The McKnight Foundation.
Hennepin County Library – Hosmer
347 E. 36th St., Minneapolis, 952-847-2900
Teen Computer Time
Wednesdays, Dec. 1-Feb. 23, 4-5:30 p.m. at Hosmer Library
Grade 6 and up. Join your friends for computer games and other computer fun.
Hennepin County Library – Maple Grove
8001 Main St. N., Maple Grove, 952-847-5550
Teen Anime Club
Saturdays, Dec. 18, Jan. 29, Feb. 26; 3 p.m. at Maple Grove Library
Grade 7 and up. Can’t get enough anime? Join up to watch and review brand-new anime episodes, share artwork and hang out with other anime fans.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Maple Grove Library.
Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 952-847-8000
Faces of New America
Wednesday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Jan. 30 at Minneapolis Central Library
This exhibit is a collection of formal studio portraits of youth from immigrant families by Jila Nikpay. These portraits provide a window through which we might examine the changing face of America at a crucial crossroad in our history.
Presented in collaboration with MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency).
Teen Job Assistance
Thursdays, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3; 4-5 p.m. at Minneapolis Central Library
Registration required; began Nov. 4; limit 16. Grade 8 and up. Get the help you need to land your next job! Minneapolis WorkForce Center staff will present tips and information on job search, then provide one-on-one assistance with your job search, applications, résumés and interview preparation.
Presented in collaboration with South Minneapolis WorkForce Center’s The Zone.
Game On! Gamers’ Army
Saturday, Dec. 4, 3-5:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 24, 3-5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 10, 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Minneapolis Central Library
Grade 7 and up. Get your gaming fix… 3 hours, 5 consoles, 15 video games, 8 laptops, 6 board games! Bring your friends, meet other gamers, or see if you can beat the librarian at Guitar Hero!
Open Tech Lab
Tuesdays, Dec. 7 & 21, Jan. 4 & 18, Feb. 15; 4-7 p.m. at Minneapolis Central Library
Grade 6 and up. Learn how to create video games or animation using a variety of software programs including Scratch, Audacity and ArtRage. Already know this stuff? Drop in and work independently. Taught by the library’s Teen Tech Squad.
This project is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Sponsored by the Best Buy Children’s Foundation.
The Faces of New America: Our Evolving Identity
Thursday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. at Minneapolis Central Library
Explore the issues of identity, citizenship and how we relate to others. Photographer Jila Nikpay will discuss her portrait project of immigrant youth. Moderator Marlina Gonzalez will lead a discussion with adolescents whose portraits are in the exhibit about their immigration journeys and the struggle for acceptance in America.
This project is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Presented in collaboration with MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency).
History Day Hullabaloo
Saturday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Minneapolis Central Library
Grade 6 and up. Get personalized help with narrowing your topic, developing your paper, identifying primary resources and finding the best library materials. Librarians, Minnesota History Day staff and mentors from the University of Minnesota will help you make sense of your project. Plenty of time for questions.
This project is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Presented in collaboration with the Minnesota Historical Society.
Anime Showcase
Tuesday, Dec. 28, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 29, 3-5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Minneapolis Central Library
Grade 7 and up. Don’t miss this chance to watch an amazing line-up of Japanese animation on the big screen! Anime Twin Cities and Teen Central have teamed up to offer something for everyone. Cosplay encouraged.
Sponsored by Anime Twin Cities.
Anime New Year Party
Thursday, Dec. 30, 5-7 p.m. at Minneapolis Central Library
Grade 6 and up. Celebrate the New Year – otaku style! J-pop… Pocky… Go… DDR… Cosplay… Random Battles… Mochi… We’ve got it all! More fun than people-watching in Harajuku!
Sponsored by Anime Twin Cities.
Hennepin County Library – North Regional
1315 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis, 952-847-8450
Game On! Gaming Fridays
Fridays, Dec. 3-Feb. 25 (except Dec. 24 & 31), 3-5 p.m. at North Regional Library
Grade 6 and up. Play PS2 or Wii games at the library! Grab a friend, bring your favorite board or card game, or play ours!
Chess Club
Saturdays, Dec. 4-Feb. 26 (except Dec. 25 & Jan. 1), noon-2 p.m. at North Regional Library
Grade 6 and up. Chess it out! Have fun learning the basics of chess, improving your game, mastering strategies and meeting other chess fans. Walk-ins welcome.
Presented in collaboration with the African American Men Project.
Teen Job Assistance
Thursdays, Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 10; 4-5 p.m. at North Regional Library
Registration required; begins Nov. 11; limit 12. Grade 8 and up. Get the help you need to land your next job! Minneapolis WorkForce Center staff will present tips and information on job search, then provide one-on-one assistance with job searches, applications, résumés and interview preparation.
Presented in collaboration with South Minneapolis WorkForce Center’s The Zone.
Open Tech Lab
Saturdays, Dec. 11, Jan. 8 & 22, Feb. 5 & 19; 2-4 p.m. at North Regional Library
Registration required; begins Nov. 13; limit 10. Grade 6 and up. Learn how to create video games or animation using a variety of software programs including Scratch, Audacity and ArtRage. Already know this stuff? Drop in and work independently. Taught by the library’s Teen Tech Squad.
This project is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Sponsored by the Best Buy Children’s Foundation.
Hennepin County Library – Oxboro
8801 Portland Ave. S., Bloomington, 952-847-5775
Teen Anime Club
Wednesdays, Dec. 1 & 15, Jan. 5 & 19, Feb. 2 & 16; 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Oxboro Library
Grade 6 and up. Can’t get enough anime? Join up to watch and review brand-new anime episodes, share artwork and hang out with other anime fans.
Hennepin County Library – Penn Lake
8800 Penn Ave. S., Bloomington, 952-847-5800
Teen Anime Club
Wednesdays, Dec. 8 & 22, Jan. 12 & 26, Feb. 9 & 23; 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Penn Lake Library
Grade 6 and up. Can’t get enough anime? Join up to watch and review brand-new anime episodes, share artwork and hang out with other anime fans.
Hennepin County Library – Pierre Bottineau
55 Broadway St. NE, Minneapolis, 952-847-2850
Anime Music Videos
Saturday, Dec. 11, 3-5 p.m. at Pierre Bottineau Library
Registration required; begins Nov. 13; limit 10. Grade 6 and up. You’ve seen them on YouTube; now make your own! Learn the basics of anime music videos, from organizing clips to synching with music.
Sponsored by Anime Twin Cities.
Hennepin County Library – Plymouth
15700 36th Ave. N., Plymouth, 952-847-5825
Teen Anime Club
Thursdays, Dec. 2 & 30, Jan. 6, Feb. 3; 3:30-5 p.m. at Plymouth Library
Grade 6 and up. Can’t get enough anime? Join up to watch and review brand-new anime episodes, share artwork and hang out with other anime fans.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Plymouth Library.
Teen Book Club
Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Plymouth Library
Registration required; begins Nov. 30; limit 15. Grades 6-9. Get together to talk about a great book with other teens! Pick up a copy of the book at the customer service desk anytime two weeks before Book Club.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Plymouth Library.
Hennepin County Library – Ridgedale
12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka, 952-847-8800
Teen Anime Club
Mondays, Dec. 6, Jan. 3, Feb. 7; 4:30-6 p.m. at Ridgedale Library
Grade 6 and up. Can’t get enough anime? Join up to watch and review brand-new anime episodes, share artwork and hang out with other anime fans.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Ridgedale Library.
Hennepin County Library – Southdale
7001 York Ave. S., Edina, 952-847-5900
Teen Anime Club
Wednesdays, Dec. 1, Jan. 5, Feb. 2; 7-9 p.m. at Southdale Library
Grade 7 and up. Can’t get enough anime? Join up to watch and review brand-new anime episodes, share artwork and hang out with other anime fans.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Southdale Library.
Teen Daughter-Mother Book Club
Tuesdays, Dec. 14, Jan. 18, Feb. 8; 7-8 p.m. at Southdale Library
Registration required; begins Nov. 16; limit 10. Girls in grades 7-9 and their mothers or other female adult. Get together with others to talk about great books! Pick up a copy of the book at the second-floor Information Desk.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Southdale Library.
Hennepin County Library – Sumner
611 Van White Mem. Blvd., Minneapolis, 952-847-2875
Intermedia Arts: Create Your Own Video Games
Tuesday, Dec. 28, 3-6 p.m. at Sumner Library
Registration required; begins Nov. 30; limit 12. Grade 7 and up. Create your own video game – explore character development, narrative and story structure. Learn technical skills necessary to create your own game from concept to “play again.”
This project is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Presented in collaboration with Intermedia Arts.
Hennepin County Library – Westonka
2079 Commerce Blvd., Mound, 952-847-6175
Teen Anime Club
Thursdays, Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 10; 3-5 p.m. at Westonka Library
Grade 7 and up. Can’t get enough anime? Join up to watch and review brand-new anime episodes, share artwork and hang out with other anime fans.
Hennepin County Library is nationally recognized as one of the top libraries in the United States. The 41-library system serves 1.2 million residents in Hennepin County and offers about 5 million books, CDs, DVDs, electronic resources, and other items in more than 40 languages, and 1,775 public computers. Last year, there were an estimated 5.6 million in-person visits to Hennepin County libraries and an estimated 15.6 million visits to Hennepin County Library’s website, www.hclib.org Library customers checked out about 17 million items and asked more than 900,000 reference questions. More than 2500 volunteers contributed more than 86,000 hours of service to Hennepin County Library in 2009. The library is a service of Hennepin County.
