The HPL Teen Area is a welcoming, inclusive space built just for you. Think of us as your after-school headquarters—a place to unwind with friends, collaborate on projects, or get some quiet tech time.
We’re here to help you navigate whatever comes next. Check out the resources below for:
Volunteering & Jobs: Earn hours, build your resume, and give back to Beacon.
School & Life Prep: Free homework help, research databases, and DMV study guides.
Pure Entertainment: Curated book lists, gaming, and creative workshops.
Connect, Create, and Chill at HPL
Book Lists
Teen Grab Bag
Not sure what to read? Fill out this quick form and let a librarian choose three books for you to borrow—plus a free gift!
Homework Help
Level Up Your Hangout
🎲🎨🎒Grab Some Gear from Miss Remy!
Did you know you can borrow awesome items to use in the library? You don’t need a library card to hang out and play—just head over and see Miss Remy at the Children’s Desk to borrow:
Games & Legos: Perfect for challenging your friends or building something epic.
Art Supplies: Grab some colored pencils and let your creativity loose.
Fidgets & Sensory Tools: Need to focus, destress, or just keep your hands busy? We have a great selection of fidget toys and sensory items.
Dyslexia Readers: Color readers designed to make reading smoother, more accessible, and more fun.
🍿 Free Snacks (Yes, Really!)
Hungry? Miss Remy has your back. Stop by her desk to grab a free snack to fuel your study session or gaming marathon.
⚠️ Just a quick reminder: Please keep all food and drinks in the designated Teen Area so we can keep our space clean and awesome for everyone!
Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Join Our Teen Advisory Board! (For Grades 6–12)
Want to make a difference, share your ideas, get leadership experience, and help plan awesome teen events while getting community service hours? Join our Teen Advisory Board (TAB)! TAB meets monthly during the school year to plan and organize events, help select library materials, and more. Sign up today by clicking the button below and we will contact you. Have additional questions? Feel free to stop by the Children's Room anytime we are open or email Miss Remy at youthassistant@beaconlibrary.org.
Teens can complete either of the following projects to earn two community service hours.
Contribute to the Teen Art Gallery: Create a piece of art in any style or medium. Complete the online art display form, then bring your finished work to the Children’s Room.
Write a Book Review: You can submit a review for any book in our Young Adult collections. After reading the book, complete the book review form.
Volunteer From Home
DMV & Driving Tests
ePermitTest.com - Provides practice a free permit test, covering rules of the road, road signs and traffic signals side-by-side, developed specifically for new and less-confident learners who are seeking a way to get a trial run at the real exam.
Get Your Learner Permit - Information from the DMV on how to get your first Learner Permit and License.
Younger Drivers Toolkit - Resource for educating young drivers about traffic safety.
Youth Employment Resources
Dutchess County Youth Employment Resources - Job readiness training and employment opportunities for those between 14-24.
Youth Jobs Program for Young New Yorkers - A statewide program designed for ages 16-24 that connects young people to job counselors and employment opportunities.