By Sydney Smith

Rowan Public Library

Keeping teenagers preoccupied with meaningful activities can often feel like a challenge. If you’re looking to enrich your teens’ activities after school, consider sending them to Rowan Public Library for free program opportunities.

RPL’s teen programs focus on a variety of activities, such as arts and crafts, food, games, STEM challenges, fandom-themed activities and more. These after school, teens-only programs provide local teens with an engaging social space where they can spend time with other teens, learn more about the library, and exercise their minds with fun activities designed specifically for them. Teen programs are always free and open to all teenagers in sixth through 12th grade, or ages 11 to 17. 

As we enter the last half of RPL’s spring programming season, teens will be able to enjoy a digital scavenger hunt, a treasure hunt-themed escape room, a minute-to-win-it games competition, and an opportunity to build and create using makerspace tools in March.

In April, teens will have another opportunity to enjoy a camp-themed escape room, a DIY blackout poetry art project, a board game night, and an altered art night sponsored in partnership with Paint Your Hearts Out studio of Kannapolis.

All programs for teens run from 4-5 p.m. every Tuesday at RPL headquarters, every Thursday at RPL East, and first and third Mondays of the month at RPL South. Teen programs will take a break during May in preparation for Summer Reading events, which will begin in June.

If you are interested in learning more about RPL’s teen programming opportunities, reach out to Young Adult Librarian Sydney Smith at 704-216-8229 or Sydney.Smith@rowancountync.gov. You can view a full calendar of library events at rowanpubliclibrary.org.

Friends of RPL Free Concert Series: Flat Tire Trio, headquarters, today, 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.  This free concert is open to the public, and all ages are welcome. For more information, call 704-216-8243.

Scavenger Hunt: Dr. Seuss, March 2-31, Headquarters, South. Can you find these Dr. Seuss characters hidden throughout the children’s room? Complete the challenge and get a prize! For more information, call 704-216-8234 (HQ) or 704-216-7728 (South).

Scavenger Hunt: Out & About Hunt: East, March 2-31. Get to know our community better! This hunt will take you to local businesses and landmarks around Rockwell. Capture a picture at each location to be entered into a raffle contest for a literary-themed prize. Call 704-216-7842 for more information.

Dr. Seuss Day: All programs 10:30-11:30 a.m. March 5, headquarters; March 7, East; March 10, South. The best way to enjoy a birthday is with a party. Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s day with the library and participate in Seuss-themed stories, crafts and light refreshments. For more information, call your nearest branch.

Exploration with Aida: Flower pressed bookmarks, headquarters, March 7, 11 a.m. Create your own bookmark and decorate it with pressed flowers. This program is designed for ages 10 and under and will be held in the Children’s Room. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more information, contact Aida at 704-216-8234.

Digital Scavenger Hunt: All 4-5 p.m. March 2, South; March 3, headquarters; March 5, East. Explore the library and solve clues and puzzles using a technology device. iPads will be available, but feel free to bring your own tablet, phone or computer for gameplay. This program is designed for teens in sixth through 12th grade. Questions? Call 704-216-8229.

Family Escape Room: Escape the Candy Factory, East, Feb. 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Escape a candy factory by solving clues, riddles and puzzles. This program is designed for families. The escape room will run every 30 minutes, beginning at 11 a.m., and each time slot can include up to 6 people. Registration is preferred. For more information and to reserve your time, call 704-216-7842.

Wednesday Writers Club: East, March 4, 6 p.m. Love writing? We do too! Join the East Branch for a time of solo writing, group sharing and peer-to-peer reviews. Encouragement, coffee and snacks will be provided. This program is designed for adults 18 and up. Call 704-216-7840 for more information.

Job Readiness on the Go: Headquarters, March 5, 2-4 p.m. A Career Connections Specialist from Goodwill will be on site to help with successfully completing employment applications online and on paper, creating a resume, learning interviewing skills, and completing assessments to help select a career based on your personality and skills. Call 704-216-8259 for more information.

Gardening Party Saturdays: March 7, 11 a.m.-noon, South Rowan Regional Library, a monthly club dedicated to gardening, pollinators and plant enthusiasts. This month’s topic is pruning. All ages and experience levels welcome. For more details or to register, call 704-216-7731.

Displays: Headquarters, Log cabins by North Hills Christian School; East, original art presented by James Rhea; South, Star (Wars) Party display presented by Rowan Public Library.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.