June 2026 Events for Teens
Flood 50
We’re honored to be part of the city-wide Flood 50 commemoration — remembering the Teton Dam Flood 50 years later. Stop by to explore photo displays and Flood memorabilia, pick up a “Where Did I Put…” emergency preparedness folder (one per family), and grab a bookmark to scan and donate to the ALA Disaster Relief Fund at ala.org/relief.
Summer Reading 2026: Unearth a Story
Summer Reading 2026 is here! This summer, we’re Unearthing a Story, and we want you to dig in with us.
From Monday, June 8 through Saturday, August 1, read your way to awesome prizes.
Sign-ups start June 8th — online with Beanstack or in person in the Library Community Room. Track your reading your way: grab a traditional paper log or log online with Beanstack. Same great program, your choice of how to play. Just keep in mind that each person can only participate once, so pick your favorite and start digging!
Find all the details and prize schedule at madisonlib.org/summer-reading. We can’t wait to see what stories you unearth this summer!
Teen Action Council
The Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Select participants ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, June 3 in the Community Room at 4 PM!
Teen Summer Reading Party: A Night at the Museum
When the sun goes down, the library’s exhibits come to life!
Kick off Teen Summer Reading with a Night at the Museum — an after-hours adventure where history literally jumps off the pages. Meet historical figures, decode ancient hieroglyphs, and uncover hidden artifacts. Just remember… don’t touch the exhibits. Unless they touch you first.
Friday, June 12 | 7 PM | Community Room | Ages 12–18
Teen Short Story Contest: Tales from the Deep Dig
Teens, it’s time to Unearth Your Own Story!
The library challenges you to dig up your imagination and craft a story that breathes life into the distant past. Uncover the secrets of a forgotten civilization, discover a fossil that changes history, or take us somewhere we’ve never been. If archaeology or paleontology plays a role, we want to read it.
Write an original story (up to 4,000 words) and email your submission to programs@madisonlib.org by July 25, 2026. Every participant wins a prize — and the top stories will be featured on our website!
What story will you unearth? Full details on the Teen Zone
Chess and Game Club
Unplug and connect at Chess and Game Club! It’s the perfect place to hang out, meet new people, and play some awesome games.
Join us Mondays at 4:00 PM in the Community Room, June 15 through July 27. We’ll have chess sets ready for players of all abilities, plus a rotating selection of board games and card games. No experience needed—just come ready to have fun. Open to ages 9–18.
We’re also excited to welcome Joseph from Binary Cocoa as our gaming mentor, bringing his expertise and helping players learn new games along the way.
June 22: We’re switching things up with Water Mancala—a fun, hands-on game perfect for summer.
Come when you can, bring a friend, and make Mondays something to look forward to.
Cook with a Book
Get ready to turn your favorite stories into something delicious.
Teens ages 12–18 are invited to join us for Cook with a Book this summer in the Community Room, where we’ll bring books to life—one recipe at a time. Whether you’re a longtime reader or just here for the food, it’s the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.
Wednesday, June 17 | 4:00–5:30 PM
We’ll step into the world of Twilight while making fresh Italian ravioli.
Come hungry for good food and great stories—we’ll take care of the rest.
Family Friendly Films
Grab the family and pull up a seat — Free Family Friendly Films are back!
Every Thursday at 1:00 PM in the Community Room, we’re screening films hand-picked to match our Summer Reading theme, Unearth a Story — think dinosaurs, ancient worlds, and epic adventures. Here’s the lineup:
June 18 – The Good Dinosaur (PG)
June 25 – The Land Before Time (G)
Free, fun, and on the big screen. We’ll see you Thursdays at 1!
Teen Crafts
Teen Craft is back — every Thursday from June 18 through July 30, 4:00–5:30 PM in the Community Room. Each week brings a totally different project, from aprons and coasters to flag pins, dissolving dino eggs, wind chimes, ice age tea lights, and even dragon eggs.
If you’re between 12 and 18 and love making things with your hands, this one’s for you. Drop in for one or come to all of them — no experience needed!
Teen LEGO Club
Brick magician? Block head? Looney for LEGOs? You belong here.
Join us for Teen LEGO Club at Madison Library District — a space for teens ages 12–18 to build, create, and geek out over everyone’s favorite bricks!
Tuesday, June 23 at 4:00 PM in the Community Room – Team up to build a giant LEGO timeline spanning dinosaurs, ancient civilizations, Stonehenge, and everything in between.
Young League of Writers
Calling all teen writers ages 12–18! Join the Young League of Writers on Wednesdays, June 24 and July 8 & 22 from 4:00–5:30 PM.
Submit up to 2,000 type-written words to programs@madisonlib.org for helpful feedback. We begin in the Community Room. In the first half, we’ll share our writing using the red, yellow, or green light system to indicate the level of feedback you’d like to receive — giving you control over your creative process. Then we’ll dive into a writing marathon, with dedicated time to work on poetry, short stories, a novel, or anything in between.
This is your space to grow as a writer and connect with fellow storytellers. All writing levels welcome!
Dungeons & Dragons
Roll for initiative! Join us for Teen Dungeons & Dragons on Fridays, June 26 and July 10 & 24 from 3:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. In this classic tabletop role-playing game, you’ll create your character, choose how they interact with the story, and use dice to decide the outcomes of your actions as you embark on epic adventures. Experienced players are welcome to bring their own character (made using only the core 5th Edition Player’s Handbook), while newcomers can choose from pre-made characters. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a first-time hero, all skill levels are welcome. Grab your dice and prepare for an afternoon of imagination, storytelling, and fun!
Celebrate America250 with
the Magic of Matt Seraydarian
Get ready for a night of wonder! Join us Thursday, July 2 from 6:30–7:30 PM in the Community Room to celebrate America 250 with an unforgettable evening of magic, music, and inspiring stories. Magician Matt Seraydarian brings a one-of-a-kind show for all ages — the perfect patriotic after-dinner experience. Seats are limited, so please sign up for FREE tickets at the Circulation Desk!
Watch The Magic of Matt Seraydarian on YouTube to get a sneak peek before the show!
Armchair Traveler Challenge: Unearth a Story!
Reading is the perfect way to unearth information, entertainment, and understanding, and we are ready to delve into some great books! This year’s challenge has us grabbing our shovels and burrowing into the pages! Field Techs will read one book for each challenge, earning stickers and opportunities to win prizes in our grand prize drawing.
Any reader who fulfills even a portion of their Artifact Journal will earn small prizes along the way, but readers who complete all 10 Inventory Logs will earn the 2026 Armchair Traveler Field Tech Prize. Sign up at the Circulation desk and grab your Artifact Journal to get started!
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