Find all of our programs in the events calendar! CLICK HERE.
Highlights
                                   
 Ain't Burned All the Bright                               Baby Teeth                               The Name She Gave Me
      Jason Reynolds                                        Meg Grehan                                        Betty Culley
 
                         Clap When You Land                                   Chlorine Sky                                   Punching the Air
      Elizabeth Acevedo                               Mahogany L. Browne               Ibi Zoboi & Dr. Yusef Salaam

From Waste to Wonder: Recycled Art Masterpieces
Have fun learning how to become a recyclable art maker! Using recycled materials and craft supplies, create new works of art. The series will culminate in an art show and art exhibit which will be on display throughout May at the Jefferson Branch Library. Register for the series here! For ages 10-16. 
Saturdays, Apr. 15, 22, 29 • 2-3 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library

Teen Events
Sew & Sew: Empowering Youth
In this Alterations and Sewing for Beginners class, you will learn how to use a sewing machine, make alterations and sew clothes by using a pattern. Instructor Renetta Lipscomb has been teaching secondary students for over two decades. Her passion is empowering youth to express their individuality by altering and making clothes that complement their unique body, shape and personal style. You'll receive a list of needed materials at your first meeting. For ages 15-18. Register for the 1st here and the 22nd here. 
Saturday, Apr. 1 & 22 • 12-3 p.m. • Hastings Branch Library
 
Blackout Poetry
Make your own poetry using old magazine, book, or newspaper pages and blacking out words leaving behind a unique poem. Drop in from 2:30 - 4:30 to create your own blackout poetry. No artistic or poetic experience necessary! 
Thursday, Apr. 13 • 2:30-3:30 p.m. • Santa Catalina Branch Library 
 
Missing History: The U.S. Women's Liberation Movement
Meet Jennifer Hall Lee and watch her film, Feminist: Stories from Women's Liberation. Her film brought her to Islamabad, Pakistan where she continues to work with the women. Jennifer is a film maker, writer and co-created the Women's History Month assembly in the Pasadena Unified School District. She is a trustee in the Pasadena Unified School District and a proud PUSD parent. She began her career working in visual effects for feature films and has worked on such films as Back to the Future 2, Forrest Gump, Ghost, and more. 
Saturday, Apr. 15 • 3-4 p.m. • Lamanda Park Branch Library
 
Teen STEAM Crafts
What cool tech does your library have? Come and find out! Join us to explore, learn, and create with the different tech tools Pasadena Public Library offers. For ages 13-19. No registration necessary. 
Thursday, Apr. 20 • 4-5 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library 
 
Garden Critter Pot
Rabbits and squirrels and hedgehogs, oh my! April is national garden month! Join us to make pots that look like our garden friends. 
Saturday, Apr. 22 • 2:30-3:30 p.m. • Santa Catalina Branch Library 
 
Authors & Their Journeys: Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe by Tim DeRoche and Daniel González
Discover author Tim DeRoche and illustrator Daniel González's new book Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe for April's Poetry Month. Tim DeRoche and Daniel González, author and illustrator of the best-selling Ballad of Huck & Miguel, return with a book of verse, Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe, that will delight anyone who loves Lemony Snicket or Shel Silverstein. 
Saturday, Apr. 22 • 3-4 p.m. • Lamanda Park Branch Library 
 
Teen Writers Meetup
Join other teens and write! Whether you are crafting poetry or a novel, writing can be lonely as it's typically a solo endeavor, but meeting with others who share the passion can be a great for inspiration and encouragement. We might write together, use writing prompts, or share our work in a safe and supportive space. For teens only. Register here! 
Saturday, Apr. 22 • 4-5 p.m. • Hastings Branch Library
 
Get Real! Virtual Reality @ PPL
Join us for Virtual Reality (VR)! We have an Oculus Quest that will allow you to take virtual adventures. Walk on Mars, visit the International Space Station, do some guided meditation, or try any of our many other available VR experiences. For ages 13+. No registration necessary. 
Tuesday, Apr. 25 • 4-5 p.m. • Hastings Branch Library 
 
Teen Movie Night! 
Join us for a movie night at Jefferson Branch Library. Help us decide what to watch when you arrive! For ages 13-19. No registration necessary.
Thursday, Apr. 27 • 4 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library
 
Video Game Club/Night
Stop in for gaming on the Nintendo Switch. Make new friends while playing games in a healthy and competitive environment that fosters well-being, fair play, and an exciting atmosphere. Help players connect with engaging social interaction and new experiences every week. Drop by and join the Video Game Club! For ages 14-19.
Tuesdays • 4-6 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library
Thursdays • 4-6 p.m. • Hastings Branch Library
 
Community Board
More services for youth around our community
Egg Bowl
Pasadena Parks, Recreation, and Community Service
Rose Bowl
The City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and Rose Bowl Stadium proudly announce the return of Egg Bowl—a FREE community egg hunt and spring festival—Saturday, April 8, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on stadium grounds. For more information, visit the website: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/parks-and-rec/community-event/egg-bowl/
Saturday, Apr. 8 • 11-3 p.m.
 
Teen Takeover @ PAM
USC Pacific Asia Museum
Join USC PAM for a fun afternoon of activities designed by the USC PAM Teen Ambassadors! Enjoy making art and jewelry, get a henna tattoo, create your own tea blend, hear live music, and more. Snap a photo at our custom photo booth and get a unique souvenir for completing all activities. FREE boba milk tea for the first 100 teen visitors! This event is FREE and open to all ages and includes admission to the galleries!
Sunday, Apr. 16 • 11-4 p.m.
 
Career Corner
City of South Pasadena: Recreation Leader (Summer Seasonal)
Part Time (up to 28 hours/week); Hourly Pay: $17.09-$20.77
For Ages 16+ and 11th grade equivalent. You must have at least one year of volunteer or work experience in customer service, working with the public, recreation and/or seniors. Recreation Leaders will be in charge of planning, organizing and conducting recreational activities for youth. For more information, click the link above! 
 
The YMCA: Membership Service Representative (Pasadena-Sierra Madre)
Part Time; Hourly Pay: $16.04-$17.00
For ages 16+. The Y is hiring a Membership Service Representative. The Membership Sales Representative is responsible for leading membership growth including marketing and lead generation, prospect management, and conversion to membership. For more information, click the link above!  
 
Water is Life Art Contest
Pasadena Department of Water and Power
Deadline: June 2, 2023
All K-12 students attending school in Pasadena are encouraged to submit artwork for the 2023 "Water is Life” Art Contest sponsored by PWP and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Each year, participating students submit artwork portraying a water-wise theme, along with a short message about water conservation. Both digital and hand-drawn/painted artwork are welcome! For the guidelines, please visit: https://pwp.cityofpasadena.net/artcontest/
 
Volunteer Opportunities
Egg Bowl
Rose Bowl
The City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and Rose Bowl Stadium proudly announce the return of Egg Bowl—a FREE community egg hunt and spring festival.
  • Assist staff with various tasks.
  • Shifts are from 9-1 p.m., 9-3 p.m., or 11-3 p.m. 
  • Saturday, Apr. 8, 2023
Apply online here! 
 
Teen Advisory Board
Jefferson Branch Library
TAB is a group of library teen volunteers who take an active leadership role in implementing programs, promoting, and advocating for youth services in Pasadena. Help make an impact and join! 
  • Participation in online discussions, committee work, and pre-meeting assignments (this may include additional volunteer shifts).
  • Advise staff, pilot programs, and services for teens.
  • Attend monthly meetings (currently on Saturdays); Meetings take place at Jefferson Branch Library.
  • Minimum commitment is attending one in-person meeting per month.
Apply online: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/teens/teen-volunteers/ 
 
STEAM Craft Helpers
Jefferson Branch Library
  • Learn to use tech tools like a Cricut, Carvey, 3D printer, 3D pens, and more!
  • Help create different crafts with the tools listed above.
  • Assist library staff with the program.
  • Shift is on Apr. 20 from 4-5:30 p.m.
Apply online: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/teens/teen-volunteers/ 
 
Featured Book
                        This Place is Still Beautiful by Xixi Tian
         Review by Giselle Carlos, age 17
 
 Annalie and Margaret Flannagen have conflicting feelings toward their childhood home. Seventeen-year-old Annalie savors the Midwest—the small-town closeness of it all—while Margaret feels suffocated and claustrophobic. When Margaret moves to college at NYU, Annalie breathes a sigh of relief; her relationship with her sister has always been estranged due to their conflicting passions and perspectives on life. Annalie feels like Margaret is condescending towards her for not understanding what it means to truly embrace being viewed as Chinese, seeing as Annalie takes after their Irish-American father, and Margaret more their Chinese immigrant mother. However, when Annalie returns to find their home tagged with a bright red racial slur, her first instinct is to call her sister. As days pass by, Margaret vows to find who did this to their home and makes it a point to call out the town, while Annalie would much rather forget about it all. In this tale of sisterhood, young love, and race, Xixi Tian weaves a heartwarming and unforgettable story.
 
READ THE FULL REVIEW ON THE TEENS BLOG
 
pasadenapubliclibrary.net