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.

FOR OCTOBER: We’ll be having a Dungeon Masters Boot Camp!

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

CRAFTING FOR NOVEMBER:
Crochet Jellyfish – For this activity, dive into the mysterious depths of the ocean and let your creativity flow as you crochet adorable, tiny jellyfish! These enchanting creatures are perfect for adding a splash of underwater charm to your backpack, bag, or pocket. 

Join us and express your creativity!

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.

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!

For November:

Do you love Boba? If you havn’t experienced the popping sensation of a fruit juice sphere in your soda, you are in for a treat. For this activity, we will learn how to make boba or “bubble” drinks!

No need to apply — just show up!

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 Canvases. Read another. And another. You can get a sticker for each task.

Step 3: For every Canvas 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 artist's portfolio, you'll receive a special 2025 Armchair Traveler prize in commemoration of your achievement.

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

Reading is the perfect way to spark your imagination,
and we are ready for an adventure in creation!

GET YOUR BRUSHES 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 Canvases. Read another. And another. You can get a sticker for each task.

Step 3: For every Canvas 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 artist's portfolio, you'll receive a special 2025 Armchair Traveler prize in commemoration of your achievement.

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

Reading is the perfect way to spark your imagination,
and we are ready for an adventure in creation!

GET YOUR BRUSHES 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.

Love storytelling? Have a favorite holiday? We want YOUR creative voice!

The Challenge:

Write a short story (up to 4,000 words) featuring ANY holiday from ANY country as your inspiration – Halloween thrills, Christmas magic, Diwali celebrations, National Donut Day fun, or whatever sparks your imagination!

How to enter:

1. Choose Your Holiday
2. Write Your Story
   • Maximum length: 4,000 words
   • Any genre is welcome (mystery, sci-fi, realistic fiction, fantasy, etc.)
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.
   • Your short story document must be in either Ariel or Times New Roman font, pasted in the email itself, AND attached as a separate file in the email.
   • Typewritten paper copies and photographs of handwritten entries 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.
• 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 and 4th Wednesday @ 4:00 pm in the Madison Library District Community Room.

Deadline:

All entries must be received by Saturday, October 18th, 2025.

Prizes:

ALL participants will receive a prize!

Grand prizes – $30 Barnes & Noble gift card OR an elegant feather quill pen & ink set

For more information please email Gina at the library at gina.m@madisonlib.org

Teens, ages 12-18, are invited to participate in this year’s Teen Reading Challenge, a statewide program from the Idaho Commission for Libraries.

In order to complete the challenge, you must read 8 books in 10 different categories between October 2025 and April 2026. You can choose from the following categories:

• Read a book that Features Food.
• Read about Something That Scares You.
• Read a book featuring Mythology.
• Read a book about Something You Love.
• Read a book with a Nonhuman Main Character.
• Read a book Recommended by a Librarian.
• Read a Graphic Novel.
• Read a book with a Historical Setting.
• Read a book you find on the Bottom Shelf.
• Free Choice: read whatever you want!

Tracking Progress

Track your challenge progress on the Beanstack website or app. There are also paper tracking sheets, reading journals, and bookmarks available for pick-up at the Madison Library Children’s Reference Desk, the Madison High School Library, and the Madison Jr. High Library.

Prizes

Visit the Madison Library District Children’s Reference Desk after each book read for the challenge to receive a small prize! We will have a prize drawing at the end of the challenge for any teens who have read 8 books.

Teens must be registered in Beanstack to win prizes in the drawings. If you are tracking the challenge on paper outside of Beanstack, please make sure to visit Madison Library District to have your challenge progress entered in Beanstack for a chance to win!

NEW! Digital Art Badge Contest!

Design a digital badge for any ITRC category. Draw, paint, sketch, or create it digitally. Make sure it looks good when printed small (like on a sticker or a button). Email your original artwork to programs@madisonlib.org by OCTOBER 31. 

There will be one winner per category. Winners get a $25 credit from IDEAL – Idaho’s 529 College Savings Program.  Winning badges will be shared statewide!