The long hot days of summer are always a busy time at the library. People stock up on reading material for days spent by the pool, check out books on CD by the dozen for road trips to the beach and seek out music to act as the soundtrack to the endless BBQs and parties we all seem to attend around this time of year.

Equally though, the cool interior of the library provides a haven from the relentless heat outdoors and, for teens especially, a couple of hours spent at a program in your local branch can be a fun way to while away one of the lazy days of summer.

Middletown Library - June 3rd at 3:00pm

Teens looking to show Dad how much he means to them should check out programming at the Middletown branch. June 3rd will offer teens an opportunity to earn a gold star come Father's Day, with Dynamic Dads at 3pm. Can't make it to Middletown at 3:00pm? Visit the Brunswick branch on June 3^rd at 6:30pm for Duct Tape for Dad where you can make a one of a kind gift for the man of the hour. (Registration required.)

Walkersville Library - June 7th at 1:00pm

The Walkersville Library will be running Dr. Who conventions every third Saturday this summer, starting on June 7^th. In addition to the Whovian fun going on all summer long, teens will also have the chance to help plan and plant a vegetable garden at the Walkersville Library on Thursdays at 3:00pm.

Thurmont Library - June 12th at 1:00pm

The Thurmont Regional Library and Emmitsburg Branch Library will be celebrating together on June 12th on Thurmont Library's Deck for a School's Out Party where teens can jump into the fun of summer vacation feet first with dancing, games and all kinds of fun and prizes!

Brunswick Library - June 17th at 2:30pm

The mad scientists at Brunswick plan to get messy on June 17th as they build volcanoes and conduct experiments with the Start Summer with a Bang! program. Just make sure you wear old clothes - nothing worse than getting lava on your favorite top!

Urbana Library - June 22nd at 2:00pm

Urbana will be continuing their Poketown Gym this summer, however, on June 22^nd the Anime/Manga Club will be meeting at 2:00pm with free Rita's Ice! You can also visit the Urbana Library at 3:00pm on Friday, July 11^th for Futuremakers to learn how to make your own electromechanical drawing machine. (Registration required) Can't make it on July 11^th? Futuremakers will also be offered at the Point of Rocks, Emmitsburg, and Thurmont Libraries.

C. Burr Artz Library - July 2nd at 2:30pm

The C. Burr Artz Public Library in downtown Frederick is running wearable tech and sci-fi writing workshops all summer long, as well as screening a variety of sci-fi films and TV shows throughout the summer. Join us on July 2^nd to create a robot gadget cozy and watch WALL-E, and on July 21st to make marble magnets while we watch Clone Wars. (Registration required)

This is only a handful of the great teen events happening all summer long at the library so make sure to ask for information at your branch or check the full schedule of events at fcpl.org!

Submitted by Linda Murray

Walkersville Branch Library

What it's about: A tumor-shrinking medical miracle bought Hazel a few years of time, but she's a terminal time bomb, suffering from stage IV cancer. At a support group for her illness, she meets fellow cancer survivor Augustus Waters, a boy who pretends to smoke cigarettes and has a prosthetic leg. With a shared obsession for the novel An Imperial Affliction and a similar sense of sarcasm, the two fall in love, despite their inevitable fate. John Green's story is honest and hilarious, exposing the fear, anger, and sadness that accompanies a terminal illness. It's an emotional read, and it's bound to be a heartrending two hours at the movie theater.

Release date: June 6, 2014

The Giver by Lois Lowry

What it's about: Everything is perfect; diseases have been eradicated, everyone is equal, and society is under control. Each person is assigned a position by the Community, and 12-year-old Jonas has been picked as the "Receiver of Memories." Only "The Giver" knows the truth of the past, and he must now pass that information down to Jonas. This book has often been described as the first YA dystopian novel (in correlation with the current trend) and it shows that a utopian society has its downsides, like a lack of personal freedom. Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep make this a highly anticipated movie, and hopefully Taylor Swift will prove her acting chops.

Release date: August 15, 2014

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

What it's about: When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he remembers is his name. His memory is blank, and he's surrounded by a group of boys in a place called the Glade, a large space entrapped by tall, stone walls. Every 30 days another boy is delivered, but when a girl named Teresa appears in the lift the next morning, her presence is almost as unexpected as the message she delivers. The language is a little tough to get through in the beginning, but once you catch on to the lingo, you'll be racing to find out what happens. It'll be very interesting to see how the book is translated to film, especially with the monstrous creatures called Grievers.

Release date: Sept. 19, 2014

Submitted by Mary Ann Foltz

Urbana Regional Library