Teens
TEEN EDUCATION & CREATION HUB
Visit the TECH Lab - A space for teens to come in, hang out and use 21st century technology to create exciting projects in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art and math.
TECH Lab Fall Hours:
Tuesday-Friday: Open Lab 3-7 pm
Saturday: Open Lab 1-5 pm
***The TECH Lab will be CLOSED on Tuesday, Nov. 6 for Election Day, and again on Tuesday, Nov. 13 in honor of Veteran's Day***
Be sure to check below to see what special programs and events we have coming up each month!
Teen Events At-a-Glance
We have a lot of things going on at the library, so here's a quick list of all of our upcoming events. Scroll down the page to find more info on the program you're interested in, or call us at 696-8538.
- TECH Lab Artist in Residence
- Artist in Residence Workshops: Cosplay Crafts with Tammie
- Featured Program: Magical Beasts 101
- Community STEAM Night
- Python Coding with Brody
- Scribes & Scriveners: a Creative Writing Group for Teens!
- Computer Science Wednesdays
- Japan Club
- D & D: Conquering the Westmarches
- Fortnite Fridays
- Teen Book Group
- Teen Advisory Group (TAG)
Test Prep E-Books
Getting ready to take the SAT or GRE? Just need some extra help with geometry? Want to be a firefighter or police officer? Then check out the library's new collection of digital reference books for test prep and study help! All of the titles are free to access and download. All you need is a library card! See our selection, and get studying.
Interested in being the TECH Lab's next Artist in Residence? Have some interesting skills you want to share? Or maybe just interested in working with teens, and making some extra money for it? Contact Cody at 696-8538 or e-mail him at allenc@ci.billings.mt.us.
Fall Artist in Residence:
Cosplay Crafts with Tammie
The TECH Lab is pleased to introduce our Artist in Residence for the fall: Tammie Peterson! Tammie will be holdings workshops centered around textile crafts, with an emphasis on costume and prop creation. Tammie is an ardent cosplay enthusiast, and she has created some incredible costume ranging from Star Wars to the Avengers. She will teach teens how to sew, design, and conceptualize their own costumes, or just teach teens who are interested in learning more textile art skills. Tammie will be holding different workshops throughout the fall. In October she is going to have a workshop teaching teens how to make their own Harry Potter House hat and scarf. Call 657-8290 to sign up today!
Featured Program
Magical Beasts 101
Friday, Nov. 23
4-6 pm in the TECH Lab
Calling all wizards, witches, and no-majs! Are you curious about those magical beasts that fly, crawl, and sneak around? Come join us for a journey into what makes these beasts so fantastic. You'll have an opportunity to test your magic skills by crafting your own magical beast. Optional: Bring your text book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, to class. Call 657-8290 to sign up today.
Upcoming Programs
Community STEAM Night
Wed., Nov. 28th
4:30-6:30 pm in the Community Room
Join us for a night of STEAM fun and exploration! Education majors and future teachers from MSU-B will be in the Community Room hosting difference stations of technology and equipment from the TECH Lab for everyone to come in, use, and explore. You can learn about specific things that interest you or chat with these awesome students. There will be stations for everything from robotics to coding to photography! This is an event for all ages, so feel free to bring the whole family.
Python Coding with Brody
Tuesdays (starting in November)
4 pm in the TECH Lab
Learn how to code in Python and make your own games and programs! Classes will be non-linear, and our volunteer Brody will work with you teaching you based on your skill level. There will be class themes, but you can show up and ask Brody about any topic that interests you or you need help with. Python is also an easy to learn language, and a great way to get into programming and computer science. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get programming!
Scribes & Scriveners
Fridays
5 pm in the TECH Lab
We’re starting a group dedicated to writing, and reading some interesting stuff while we’re at it. Each week we’ll meet to talk about what we’re reading or what we’re excited about, work on some writing, or just hang out and generally be nerdy. We can workshop projects that you are already working on, generate ideas, or whatever you think sounds most interesting. Call 657-8290 to sign up, or just stop by the lab on Fridays. See you there!
Computer Science Wednesdays
Every Wednesday
3-7 pm
TECH Lab
Come to the TECH Lab on Wednesdays to work with our amazing volunteer Michael as he helps teens explore computer science! Learn how to program and control neopixels, write programs for arduinos, mess around with Lego Robots, and more. If you have any interest in coding or any computer science topic, this is for you! No sign up is required, just swing by the lab and start messing around.
Japan Club
Wednesdays, Starting Oct. 3rd
6-7 pm
2nd Floor Computer Classroom
The Teen Japan Club is back for another year! Join Rod Gottula as he holds weekly lessons instructing teens how to read and write in Japanese, and learn about Japanese culture. The class will fill up fast, so call 657-8290 to sign up today!
D & D: Conquering the Westmarches
Saturdays
1-4 pm
TECH Lab
Join us for epic adventures and world building mayhem as we strive to tame the wilds of the West Marches! Help build and cultivate a city, explore the wilderness, and defeat terrifying monsters as you learn the ins and outs of 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons. You don't need any previous experience with the game, and you don't have to commit to a weekly session. The West Marches campaign is designed for drop in/drop out play, so swing by the TECH Lab on Saturday and see what adventures are underway!
Fortnite Fridays
Every Friday
1-3 pm in the TECH Lab
Fortnite is now on the Nintendo Switch, so the TECH Lab is going to be hosting a couple hours of Fortnite mayhem every week. Swing by the lab to hang out and try one of the best games around!
Teen Book Group
Thursday, Nov. 29th, 4:00-5:00 pm
Teen Study 2
Join the Library's Teen Book Group. We meet once a month on Thursday afternoons. Snacks and drinks are provided. In November, we’re reading Marie Lu’s Warcross, an action-packed science fiction thriller. Register and reserve your copy of the book by calling 657-8290.Teen Advisory Group
Teens who are 13 to 19 years of age can apply to be part of our Teen Advisory Group - the TAG. The TAG advises the library about programs for teens, helps promote services, and volunteers at the library.
Volunteering at the Library
Are you looking for ways to spend your free time? The TECH Lab is looking for 16-18 year old teenagers to help lead and mentor younger teens in the lab during open hours. Volunteers need to be interested in technology, willing to teach and learn alongside other teens, and be in the lab for a minimum of 4 hours per week. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience, or just give back to your community! For more information, contact Cody in the TECH Lab. Submit an online application..
Looking for a good book?
Check out these great reads.
Suggest A Title
Is there a teen title you would like to see in the Library's collection? Submit your suggestion online.
Local Teen Interviews Architect of Billings Public Library
Katelyn Bauer interviewed Will Bruder, the architect for the new Billings Public Library building,
and used the TECH Lab equipment to edit the video together. Way to go Katelyn!