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Teen Department
The Teen Department at Johnson Public Library is happy to serve students in Grades 7-12 (though people of all ages are welcome to check out our collection!). We have a weekly Teen Tuesday program during the school year and an exciting series of Summer Reading events each year!
Summer 2026!
Early registration starts Monday, June 1st
All students entering grades 7-12 in Fall 2026 (and 2026 grads!) can join us for an eventful summer.
Escape Room, Murdery Mystery, Video Games, Crafts, FOOD, and more - JPL has a summer of fun awaiting you, and everything is FREE! You don’t have to attend every event to participate. Bring a friend with you or make some new ones! Visit our brand new Oritani Teen Room to sign up and you will receive your reading log and a game board of events to attend and activities to complete to earn extra points toward prizes. Registration begins June 1 and continues throughout the summer, but register before June 30 to earn extra points.
Teen Summer Reading Program
We encourage everyone to read over the summer, even if you’re not a big reader. You can read comics, adventure books, romance, fantasy…any genre you’re interested in. Ask us for book recommendations and we’ll find something great for you to read.
Sign up at JPL and you will receive your reading log and a game board of events to attend and activities to complete to earn extra points toward prizes.
Registration begins in June and continues throughout the summer, but register before June 30 to earn extra points. Bring your library card when you register if you’d like to check out the first book for our Comics and Cuisine book club (first meeting July 7).
Don’t miss our End of Summer Party! We’ll play Laser Tag, eat pizza, and give out prizes. Read 2+ books and submit your reading log by August 4 to attend. (A signed permission slip, available starting July 30, is required). Read 5+ books to be eligible for our grand prize raffle of a $50 Gift Card (Hackensack residents only). Other prizes, including gift cards and books, will be given out at the party.
Summer Events for Teens
All of our programs are completely FREE!
Volunteers
The Johnson Public Library is seeking Teen Volunteers for our 2026 Summer Program. Volunteers will assist with Children’s and Teen Events, as well as outreach events and book inventory. Volunteers must be 2026 high school graduates or entering 9-12th grades in Fall 2026. Students entering 8th grade in Fall 2026 can volunteer for Children’s Events only. We are looking for volunteers who are responsible and enthusiastic, who will take initiative to help. Volunteers must be able to communicate via email. Training will be provided online and must be completed in order to participate.
Please note: we cannot guarantee you a certain amount of hours by the end of the summer or per week. Shift availability is dependent on the number of volunteers who sign up. Shifts between 1-4 hours will be available weekdays, with some morning shifts, afternoon shifts and evening shifts. Priority registration will be given to Hackensack residents and Hackensack High School Students.
TIMELINE
June 8 - Training Information will be emailed to you. Please add keri.adams@hackensack.bccls.org to your contact list to ensure you receive the email. The training will be completed online at whatever time is convenient for you.
June 15 - Sign Up information for specific shifts will be emailed to Hackensack residents/HHS students who have completed the training by June 14. Please make sure you have completed all training tasks to receive this information.
June 22 - Sign Up information for specific shifts will be emailed to all other students who have completed the training by June 21 Please make sure you have completed all training tasks to receive this information. If you sign up after June 8, training information will be sent out within three business days. We will accept new volunteers until all shifts are filled. We will likely run out of volunteer shifts quickly, so please don’t wait to sign up.
Please note that this application must be filled out by the teen applicant.
Connect with us!
Please direct any general questions, comments, volunteer inquiries or book recommendation requests to Keri, our teen librarian at keri.adams@hackensack.bccls.org or ask for her at the Reference Desk. Keri loves to help teens find books they will enjoy reading.