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

Be sure to check below to see what special programs and events we have coming up each month!


TECH Logo FINAL

  1. Tue Sep. 25

    TECH Lab Open Hours

  2. Wed Sep. 26

    TECH Lab Open Hours

  3. Thu Sep. 27

    TECH Lab Open Hours
View All

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
  • Featured Program: StarNet Explore Tech 
  • Artist in Residence Workshops: Cosplay Crafts with Tammie
  • Japan Club
  • Computer Science Workshop: Create a Webpage Halloween Story
  • 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.

TECH Lab Artist in Residence.

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.

Featured Program

STARNet Logo
exploreTech

StarNet Explore Tech Exhibit

August 8th-October 5th

Popular Materials Area

Billings Public Library is thrilled to host the Explore Tech exhibit, which is all about the power of engineering! We'll be holding special programs throughout the exhibit, so check the exhibit page to see what's coming up.

Upcoming Programs

Fall Artist in Residence:

Cosplay Crafts with Tammie

October 4 & 25 (both Thursdays)

5-7 pm in the TECH Lab

2018-05-04 May the Fourth (31)

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. In October she will be holding two sessions, one on the 4th to introduce the topic of cosplay and have teens start to plan what they want to work on, and then the 25th will be a work day where teens can start creating their own costumes. Call 657-8290 to sign up today!

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!

japan
code_development_programming

Workshop: Create a Webpage Halloween Story

Tuesday, Oct. 30

5-7 pm in the TECH Lab

Learn how to code in HTML and CSS to create a webpage to tell your very own Halloween story! Call 657-8290 to sign up today!

d and d

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-hero - edited

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, Sept. 20th, 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 September, we’re reading Isabel Allende’s Ripper, a fast-paced mystery that features a teenage sleuth as the main character. Register and reserve your copy of the book by calling 657-8290.
2018 Ripper Isabel Allende

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!