The mission of the Schenectady County Public Library is to satisfy our community's educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs by providing free and open access to a comprehensive range of materials, services and programs.

SCPL Teen Zone

Upcoming Programs for Tweens & Teens

Click on a program for more information, including ages and registration.

Live...Explore...Learn...Grow...Connect

Fun and useful links to help you find information on everything from getting your license and college searches to fashion, games and sheet music. Just click on any of the headers to expand the panel and explore.

Books & Literature

NoveList Plus: Search by genres, subject headings, author read-alikes and more. Browse reading lists, create your own and then share them with friends who have NoveList accounts.
Teen NY: The New York State Library Facebook page designed to promote teen-related programs and resources in New York.
Young Adult Library Services Association (YASLA) Booklists: Great lists on many subjects
Your Favorites: 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels: From NPR Books
GreenBeanTeenQueen: Book reviews and booklists, blog about teen favorite reads
SYNC: FREE YA audiobook downloads & Summer Reading Classics
Pulse It: Read books online for free!
Teen Reads: Reviews, authors interviews and more
Teen Ink: A national teen magazine, book series, and website devoted entirely to teenage writing, art, photos and forums. Students must be age 13-19 to participate, register and/or submit work
Reading Rants: Out of the ordinary teen booklists
Guys Read: A web-based literacy program for boys founded by author and First National Ambassador of Young People's Literature, Jon Scieszka.. Their mission is to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers.
No Flying, No Tights: Review graphic novels
Graphic Novel Reporter: Graphic novel and creator reviews, books-to-screen, lists by author/illustrator and more

Careers & Job Hunting

NY Youth Works Program: Encourage businesses to hire unemployed, disadvantaged youth. The program supports job training and employment for eligible youth ages 16 to 24 who live in the following areas of New York State: Cities of Albany, Buffalo, New York, Rochester, Schenectady, Syracuse, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Utica, Yonkers; and Towns of Brookhaven and Hempstead.
Armed Services: Information on all branches of the military, enlistment, ASVAB practice and more.
GrooveJob: Schenectady County jobs for teens and part-time jobs
Working Papers: Types of working papers, where to get them, requirements and more
Labor Laws for Minors: When, where and how long you can work

College

Big Future by The College Board: The College Board's new college planning site. Created with the help of students and educators, BigFuture guides families step by step through the process of preparing for, finding and enrolling in college, making it easier and less overwhelming.
College Board: Register and practice for SATs, PSATs, CLEP and APs; college search; planning for college, paying for college and more
New York State Higher Education Services Corportation (HESC): Grants, scholarships, loans, college and career planning
The ACT: Register and practice for the ACTs
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): The place to start for financial aid
EduTrek: Information on choosing a college
U.S. College Search: Occupational guides; financial aid resources; college search by state, degree and name; and more.

Getting Your License

NYS DMV Resources for Young Drivers: DMV's site designed for teens. Contains road test tips, quizzes, laws, types of licenses and more.
NYS Driver's Manual: Study and practice online
NYS Laws for Young Drivers: Changes as of February 22, 2010

Entertainment

Teen Hollywood: Music, movies, television
Girl Zone: Fashion, advice and more
Just for Girls: Health, style, travel and more.
Teen Free Arcade: Action games, puzzles, dress-up games and more
Graffiti Creator: Create and print your own graffiti
8 Notes: Free sheet music, guitar tuner, metronome, lessons and more
A-Z Lyrics: Song lyrics database

Social Networking

FTC Social Networking Sites: Safety Tips for Tweens & Teens: Online safety tips for tweens and teens
Read the Tattoo (teen zine): Teen journalism
gURL: Advice, games, quizzes, body image and more.
This is Teen: This Is Teen on Facebook connects you with other readers and authors who inspire you.

Homework

Regents Prep: Study for New York State Regents Exams
Online Conversions: Conversion tool for weight, length, volume and more
Graph Paper: Print graph paper for all your homework needs
Easy Bib: Free automatic bibliography and citation maker
How to Use Google Search More Effectively: Learn to "operators" to help you narrow your searches in Google and find the information you're looking for.

Mind & Body

Choose Kind: An anti-bullying campaign inspired by R.J. Palacio's debut novel, Wonder. Pledge to Choose Kind everyday. Click here for a list of resources available for parents, kids and teens at SCPL.
Teens Against Bullying: Teens helping teens identify and respond to bullying and cyberbullying
Schenectady City School District Suicide Prevention Resources: Warning signs and symptoms of depression, hotlines
Girl Zone: Advice, quizzes, body image, fashion and more
Go Ask Alice!: Health related topics for teens
Just for Girls: Health, style, travel and more.
Teen Talk: Dating, body & mind, sexuality and other topics for teens
Free Vibe: Above the Influence website
Teen Health FX: Health questions and answers