The Rochester Public Library’s Teen Room is pleased to announce the success of its 2025 Teen Summer Reading Program. This year’s program resulted in a total of 216,413 minutes of reading, with participation doubling compared to last year!
“We have a great relationship with the Rochester School District and have a growing group of kids aging out of the Children’s program and joining the Teen program,” said Amy Lemelin, Teen Room Librarian.
In addition to reading, teens enjoyed a wide range of activities, including tie-dye, movies, book groups, a murder mystery party, a game night, and clay creations from Mud City Clay. Teen programs will continue throughout the year and can be found on the library’s website: https://www.rpl.lib.nh.us/.
Participants who read for at least 120 minutes each week received a free ice cream from Golicks, a sub from Jersey Mike’s, or a free book. Weekly drawings also awarded teens $20 gift cards to Barnz’s Movie Theater or two tickets to the Rochester Opera House. The program concluded with a raffle featuring sixteen prizes, including two Stanley water bottles, JBL headphones, and a LEGO kit, as well as items generously donated by Skeletones, Jetpack Comics, Tri-City Bicycles, and Potter’s House Bakery.
According to Lemelin, the program’s success has led to increased demand, with teens requesting a Fall Reading Program—which the library is excited to offer. Beginning September 8, 2025, readers between the ages of 11 (if in middle school) and 18 can sign up for the Teen Fall Reading Program on Beanstack (https://rplnhreads.beanstack.org/). This program will feature raffle baskets as prizes, to be awarded in early January.
“I enjoyed meeting and seeing so many teens using the Teen Room’s resources this summer,” added Lemelin. “The success of this year’s Summer Reading Program is an example of Rochester’s amazing teen population and the power of community. The library is committed to providing a warm, welcoming space for teens to explore, read, socialize, and learn.”
For more information, contact Amy Lemelin at rplteens@rochesternh.gov.