Dungeons and Dragons for teens at the Madison Library District! In this classic role-playing game, you create your character, choose how they interact with the story, and use dice to decide the outcomes of your actions.

This event is open to all teens (ages 12 to 18). Both beginners and experienced players are welcome.

The game will consist of one, 1 to 2 hour session for first level characters. Experienced players may use their own character if they wish, but pre-made characters will also be available. All characters should be made using only the resources available in the core 5th Edition player’s handbook. As an added bonus, players will be able to gain perks for their characters by reading!

If you are interested in a grand adventure, want to meet new and old friends, and have epic fun, register by clicking the button below.

Bring your friends and listen to music while you make an awesome art project to take home with you.

Join us and express your creativity!

For July

• July 2: Celebrate the 4th of July by crafting safety pin flag designs and stylish duct tape bracelets in festive red, white, and blue.
• July 9: Create dissolving dino eggs with hidden dinosaur surprises and make petroleum lip balms inspired by the prehistoric origins of petroleum.
• July 16: Build a beautiful wood and bead wind chime that adds color and soothing sounds to any space.
• July 23: Make Ice Age-themed tea lights that bring a cool, creative glow to your space.
• July 30: Make magical DIY dragon eggs with textured designs and vibrant colors, perfect for fantasy lovers.

The Madison Library District Teen Action Council will meet regularly to provide input for teen events and programs, and provide suggestions for improvements and other aspects of the Library as it relates to teens. 

Are you a brick magician, “block” head or looney for LEGOs? Join other teens who love the ever popular bricks at Madison Library District’s Teen LEGO club!

Would you like to share your writing with other teens your age or just make new friends? Join the Young League of Writers for ages 12-18. Whether you want to share your writing with peers or make new friends, this is the perfect place for you. We’ll meet for 90 minutes to share our work, discuss what makes great writing, and engage in creative writing exercises.

In the first half of the activity, we’ll share our writing with each other. Use the red, yellow, or green light system to indicate the level of feedback you’d like to receive.

In the second half, we’ll dive into a writing marathon, creating and exploring new ideas together.

Learn more about different parts of Asia through Movies, TV shows, Music, Food, Games, and Art.
We want to expand your cultural experience through different types of media!

• Friday, July 17: Create your own Oni-inspired mask using duct tape and cardboard while exploring the bold designs of Japanese folklore.
• Wednesday, July 29: Enjoy an The Apothecary Diaries-themed tea party featuring frog-themed games, moon cakes, and delicious egg bread inspired by Asian treats and culture.

Unplug and connect at the library's game club! It's the perfect place to hang out, meet new people, and play some awesome games. 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 a desire to have fun.

We’re also excited to welcome Joseph from Binary Cocoa as our gaming mentor, bringing his expertise to help players learn new games along the way.

Come when you can, bring a friend, and make Mondays something to look forward to!

Open to everyone ages 9-18.

We’re also excited to welcome Joseph from Binary Cocoa as our gaming mentor, bringing his expertise to help players learn new games along the way.

Come when you can, bring a friend, and make Mondays something to look forward to!

Open to everyone ages 9-18.

Water Mancala Tournament!

Monday, June 22, at 4:00 pm

We wanted to do something a little different then usual and do an outside mancala game using squishy balls, buckets with water, and running around. It should be a lot of fun!

Madison Library's Year-Long Reading Adventure

For patrons ages 15 and older.
Read fun new books and audiobooks and win stickers and other great prizes!

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Sign up at the Circulation Desk to get your reading log.

Step 2: Read a book that fits a task listed in one of the Inventory Log sheets. Read another. And another. You can get a sticker for each task.

Step 3: For every Log sheet completed, bring your log in to the Circulation Desk for a small prize and an entry for the grand prize final drawing at the end of the year.

Step 4: Keep reading! If you complete your Artifact Reading Journal, you'll receive a special 2026 Armchair Traveler prize in commemoration of your achievement.

If you finish early, you can obtain an additional reading log and work towards becoming a Dig Director, earning extra prizes and entries into the final drawing!

Reading is the perfect way to unearth information, entertainment, and
understanding, and we are ready to delve into some great books!

GET YOUR SPADES READY, HERE WE GO!

Madison Library's Year-Long Reading Adventure

For patrons ages 10 to 14.
Read fun new books and audiobooks and win stickers and other great prizes!

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Sign up at the Circulation Desk to get your reading log.

Step 2: Read a book that fits a task listed in one of the Inventory Log sheets. Read another. And another. You can get a sticker for each task.

Step 3: For every Log sheet completed, bring your log in to the Circulation Desk for a small prize and an entry for the grand prize final drawing at the end of the year.

Step 4: Keep reading! If you complete your Artifact Reading Journal, you'll receive a special 2026 Armchair Traveler prize in commemoration of your achievement.

Reading is the perfect way to unearth information, entertainment, and
understanding, and we are ready to dig into some great books!

GET YOUR SPADES READY, HERE WE GO!

Most Items Located Behind the DVD Cases in Our Main Foyer

We have a wide variety of materials for all your learning and entertainment needs!
Having a hard time finding something? Ask a librarian!

We also provide the following materials:

• FICTION – arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name and starting on the north wall. Some of our most popular titles can be found here, including dystopian novels, fairy tale adaptations, and some of the biggest book-to-screen adaptations.
• NONFICTION – specifically written for teenagers encompassing many topics, such as art, history, growing up, comics, and ACT prep.
• GRAPHIC NOVELS, MANGA, and COMICS – Here you will find popular manga and superhero titles, among others.
• AUDIOBOOKS – books on CD
• eBOOKS and eAUDIOS – downloadable from the Libby app on your device
• MAGAZINES
• KITS – we have several types of kits:
  • SPEEDY READER KITS – the entire book series in one bag; in pale blue and grey bags.
  • READ-ALONG KITS – includes a book and an audiobook of the same title so you can follow along with the audio reader.

Do you love storytelling?
We challenge you to dig up your imagination and craft a story that breathes life into the distant past.
Whether you are uncovering the secrets of a forgotten civilization in an archeological thriller, or discovering a perfectly preserved fossil that changes history in a paleontological adventure, we want to read it!

The Challenge:

Write a short story (up to 4,000 words) which contains an archeology or paleontology element.

How to enter:

1. Choose your genre
• Historical Fiction – Stories set during significant archaeological discoveries or excavations.
• Creative Nonfiction – Personal narratives or travel writing about sites/museums.
• Mystery/Adventure – Thrillers involving ancient artifacts, fossil finds, or archaeological puzzles.
• Speculative Fiction – Stories that imagine alternate histories, future discoveries, or fantastical elements grounded in archaeological/paleontological concepts.
• Time Travel – Narratives involving journeys to prehistoric times or ancient civilizations.
2. Write Your Story
   • Maximum length: 4,000 words
   • Any genre is welcome (mystery, sci-fi, realistic fiction, fantasy, etc.)
   • The story must be clearly inspired by an archaeological element.
   • Optional Story Prompts:
   • “A teen discovers an artifact that changes what we know about a famous ancient civilization.”
   • “The diary of a young assistant on a fossil dig that makes an impossible discovery.”
   • “A museum night guard witnesses something impossible among the exhibits.”
3. Submit Online
   • Email your original work to programs@madisonlib.org.
   • Please include your name, age, a phone number where you can be reached (parent phone # is ok), and the title of your story in the email.
   • Paste or type your short story in the email itself AND attach the document to the email.
   • Typewritten or handwritten paper copies will not be accepted.

Requirements:

• Participants must be ages 12 – 18 to enter.
• Open to Madison Library District residents only.
• 4,000 word maximum.
• Limit 1 short story per person.
• Work must be original, not previously published, and titled.
• Submissions that are deemed inappropriate, culturally inaccurate, or possess negative stereotypical characterization will be disqualified.
• AI generated stories will not be accepted. We want to hear your own voice!
• Join the Young League of Writers for tips and tricks about plot twists and great character dialogue, and to chat about writing with other teens. YLoW meets every 2nd Wednesday @ 4:00 pm in the Madison Library District Community Room.

Deadline:

All entries must be received by Saturday, July 25, 2026.
Winners will be announced at the Teen Summer Reading Final Party held on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 7:00 pm. They will also be notified via phone and/or email.

Prizes:

ALL participants will receive a prize!

First prize – $50 Amazon Gift Card or Bluetooth Keyboard
Second prize – Fat Cats Fun Pack ($60 value)
Third prize – 4- $5 gift cards to Runnin’ for Sweets
All three winners will receive publication online at www.madisonlib.org and an award certificate.

AND just for participating… Everyone will receive a Free All-You-Can-Eat Buffet pass to Pizza Pie Cafe!

To Celebrate National Library Week

Our theme is “Find Your Joy at the Library!"
Create an original diaorama featuring rubber ducks to show us what that theme means to you.

Submitting Entries

• Entries must be based on a published book or depict a scene from a positive experience, program, or item you’ve used from the library such as storytime, book club, Libby, etc.
• Diaoramas must be no larger than 13" deep by 16" wide x 18" tall.
• Diaoramas must be self-contained and able to move as a complete unit.
• Entries must include at least 1 rubber duck.
• Rubber ducks must be under 6" tall.
• Submissions must be brought to the Madison Library District Circulation Desk along with a completed entry form.
• Each participant may submit up to three entries.

Judging

• Entries will be judged in the following age categories:
  • 6-11 years
  • 12-17 years
  • 18+ years
• Judging criteria: creativity, visual appeal, entertainment value, and storytelling quality.
• A panel of impartial judges will evaluate entries.

Winners & Prizes

• Judges will select 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each age category.
• Winners will be announced on April 20, 2026, on MLD's Facebook page and newsletters.
• Prizes will be awarded to all winners.
• Dioramas will be displayed at the library during National Library Week, April 20-25, 2026.

Open to all patrons ages 6 and older (minors must have approval from their legal guardian.)

Submissions will need to be turned in at the Circulation Desk by 7:00 pm on April 15, 2026.

Each submission will need an entry form filled out and turned in with your diorama: