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Information and Research
  • infoplease
    Encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, and several almanacs accessible all from one spot.
  • Dictionary.com
    The World’s leading online source for definitions, synonyms, word origins, and more.
  • MedlinePlus
    Backed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, there’s no better source for up-to-date medical information.
  • Merriam-Webster
    You have to be doing something right if you’ve been around since 1828. It’s still the standard-bearer as far as what words are a part of the English language.
  • Research and Learning Tools
    Provided by the Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System and its member libraries, this is a collection of well-vetted information sources on a variety of topics, from learning a new language, studying a specific time in history, or just acing that driving test.
Find Your Next Book

Looking for a great book? Look no further than Young Adult Services Association of the American Library Association's (YALSA's) Book Awards and selected booklists on the Teen Book Finder Database. This free resource can be searched by award, list name, year, author, genre, and more.

YALSA has also released the 2018 Best Fiction for Young Adults and Great Graphic Novels for Teens. In addition to an extensive list of great books, both also include a top ten list. If you haven't already, check out the Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list.

For recommended media, such as apps, visit the YALSA blog and ALA Tech Source.

While these books and other resources have been selected for teens from 12 to 18 years of age, the award-winning titles on YALSA's selected lists span a broad range of reading and maturity levels. YALSA and CEFLS encourage adults to take an active role in helping teens choose those library materials that are the best fit for them and their families.

Maker Kits

Want to have a maker space or maker activities in your library but your budget can't cover it? Request a Maker Kit for your library or have a patron check it out themselves to partake in hands-on learning without the major cost.

Audiobooks for Teens

For Teens - Sync

SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens that gives away two complete audiobook downloads a week – pairs of high interest titles, based on weekly themes.

General Health
Health for Young Women
  • iemily
    Health and wellness website just for girls.
  • The Center for Young Women's Health (CYWH)
    A partnership between the Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine and the Division of Gynecology, at Boston Children’s Hospital. The Center is an educational entity that is committed to providing teen girls and young women with carefully researched health information, educational programs, and conferences.
Teen/Student Issues
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
    A voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
  • Coalition to Support Grieving Students
    A collaboration of the leading professional organizations representing classroom educators, principals, assistant principals, superintendents, school board members, and central office staff, student support personnel, and other school professionals who have come together with a common conviction: grieving students need the support and care of the school community.
  • Facts For Families
    Information on ADHD, ODD, teen suicide, psychosis, conduct disorder, and other topics from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
  • Girl Zone
    A community for teen girls that provides articles and advice regarding life.
  • Girls' Life
    Dedicated to informing, inspiring and entertaining girls around the globe.
  • Mind Your Mind
    Suggestions for coping as well as advice for those seeking help.
  • National Center for Victims of Crime
    Advocates for victims' rights, trains professionals who work with victims, and serves as a trusted source of information on victims' issues.
  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center
    Provides leadership in preventing and responding to sexual violence through collaborating, sharing and creating resources, and promoting research.
  • Teen Line
    Is a confidential telephone helpline and online chat for teenage callers. Teen Line has been an affiliated program of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center 's Department of Psychiatry.
  • 13 Reasons Why Crisis Information
    Netflix has provided resources related to many of the themes and topics of the book and their own online series.
How to Adult

Adulting 101 Kits

Being an adult can be hard. (Trust us.) That's why we've created a number of Adulting 101 kits to go over some of the basics. From household tasks to getting a job, and even stress reduction, these kits include activities and resources to help you learn the ins and outs of being a "grown up".

Jobs

Not sure what careers might be right for you? Explore careers or use the interest profiler on the CollegeBoard's BigFuture website to match your interests to potential careers.

Entering the workforce can be scary in its own right. Make things a little easier with our job searching tools and materials.

Money

Feed the Pig
Find helpful tools, articles, tons of tips and other resources to help you on your path to financial stability. They’ll help you think through your spending and saving habits, identify ways you can start saving and commit to making changes that will reduce your debt and grow your savings.

College

College Financial Aid Resources
Always fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Even if you don’t apply specifically for financial aid from your school, they use your FAFSA application to offer assistance if you qualify. Need help filling it out? Go to StudentAid for more info. They also provide help with determining which parent's info to report and on how aid is calculated.

Types of Aid/Getting Aid
Types of Financial Aid | Who can get federal student aid | Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used | Finding and applying for scholarships | Loan interest rates and fees | Aid for military families | Avoiding financial aid scams

Student Account Access
My Federal Student Aid | The FSA ID

Repaying Loans
Loan Repayment | Repayment Estimator | Income-driven repayment plans | Public service loan forgiveness | Loan forgiveness in general | Loan forgiveness for teachers

College Prep
College Preparation Checklist | Why go to college

Special Audiences
Info for parents | Graduate school funding | Financial aid for adults students | Going to college in another country

Social Media
@FAFSA Twitter page | Federal Student Aid YouTube channel | Federal Student Aid Facebook page

Public Schools
Information about the State University of New York (SUNY), including community colleges:
www.suny.edu/attend/visit-us/complete-campus-list

College Scorecard
Find colleges based on your interests and how they rate against other choices.

Full-Length Practice Tests
The College Board was created to expand access to higher education. They provide full SAT practice tests on their website to help you prepare.

Tips and Tricks for Surviving Adulthood

We all need a little help from time to time. Check out these titles to take a crash course in Adult 101.