Teens can 'Build a Better World' at Randolph libraries this summer

ASHEBORO – A roller coaster, a wild scavenger hunt, video games, art classes, a Summer Pottery Slam, the 9^th annual LEGO Mania competition and more will empower teens to “Build a Better World” during Summer Reading activities at Randolph County’s public libraries.

All events are free and all teens are invited.

The Asheboro Public Library, 201 Worth Street, will offer teens ages 11-18 the opportunity to play video games on their own schedules. Teens can use their library cards or public school student ID numbers (“lunch numbers”) to check out Xbox or PlayStation game controllers and age-appropriate video games, and play in a conference room has been set aside for gaming when it is not booked for other uses.

Also at Asheboro:

• Teens can participate in the creation of a paper roller coaster during the week of June 12; drop in anytime to work on it until it goes into action on Friday, June 16.
• The movie Pete’s Dragon will be screened a 3 p.m. Thursday, June 22.
• During the week of June 26, the TeenZone Wild Goose Chase Scavenger Hunt will take place, with clues leading to prizes concealed in the library’s book collection.
• Marvel Comics artist John Czop will help teens hone their drawing skills and learn the ways of the comic book industry in classes at 2 p.m. on Thursdays July 13-August 3. New scribblers as well as accomplished artists are welcome. A final reveal of the works created in the class will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, August 10.
• LEGO Mania will challenge teams of teens to build a world or tell a story at 2 p.m. Friday, August 11.

Teens also can report the number of books or minutes they read for a chance at a reading reward.

At the Archdale Public Library, 10433 S. Main St., join area potters for guidance in creating your own piece of pottery, 2-5 p.m. Tuesday, June 20. Then, celebrate “Christmas In July” with crafts, contests and snacks from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, July 25 (registration for this event is required; call 336-431-3811 to sign up).

The Liberty Public Library, 239 S. Fayetteville Street, will offer “#hangout: Just Teens” at 3:30 p.m. each Friday through the end of July, featuring makers activities such as Duck Tape Creations, Free Style String Art, Metal Washer Jewelry and more. The library also offers weekly Get Creative craft activities for teens and adults at 3:30 p.m. Thursdays.

“Mad Science” will take over the Randleman Public Library, 142 W. Academy St., as teens and tweens explore ecosystems, bubbling potions and radical robots. Sessions take place at 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 22, July 6 and July 20. Registration is required; call 336-498-3141 to sign up. Teens at Randleman can keep their check-out receipts and turn them in to be entered in drawings for two Kindle Fire tablets to be given away on August 22.

For more information about library summer activities for teens, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summer/teens.htm, or contact your local library.