Talk It Out
Join our Teen Services staff and chat about how things are going and topics important to you! See upcoming dates on our events calendar.
You must register to receive the link to the virtual program.
Helplines
If you or a loved one are feeling overwhelmed with feelings like sadness, anxiety, or depression due to the COVID-19 crisis, please reach out to the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Disaster Distress Helpline:
- call 1-800-985-5990
- text TalkWithUs to 66746
- TTY 1-800-846-8517
2NDFLOOR is a confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey's youth and young adults (ages 10-24)
- Call or text 888-222-2228
NJ Mental Health Cares, the state’s behavioral health information and referral service, will now also offer help to people dealing with anxiety and worry related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
- NJ residents can call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support.
- NJ Mental Health Cares will be answered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week by live trained specialists.
Crisis Text Hotline serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via a medium people already use and trust: text.
- Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis.
- A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds.
New Jersey Hopeline provides access to specialists 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for confidential telephone counseling.
- Call 1-855-654-6735
YouthLine operates a national helpline that provides crisis support and referrals via call, text, and chat. The helpline is answered by youth daily from 4pm-10pm and by adults at all other times.
- Call 877-968-8491
- Text Teen2Teen to 839863
- Email Teen2Teen@LinesForLife.org
Trans Lifeline offers direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis - for the trans community, by the trans community.
- Call 1-877-565-8860
Tips & Strategies for Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Things you can do to support yourself
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate
- Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
- Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.
Protect your mental health during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Recognize that your anxiety is completely normal
- Create distractions
- Find new ways to connect with your friends
- Focus on you
- Feel your feelings
- Be kind to yourself and others
For Piscataway residents entering grades 6-12 (ages 11-17) only.
Looking to earn some volunteer hours? Join our Teen Advisory Board to be the first to know about volunteer opportunities at the library! You can join by clicking here. See upcoming dates on our events calendar.
Learn about all of our current and ongoing volunteer opportunities by clicking here. Some opportunities have limited availability.
Questions? Contact the Teen Services Department at teens@piscatawaylibrary.org.
Homework Resources
- Academic Search Premier - use this database to find scholarly research articles for your essays. It also will cite the information for you!
- BrainFuse - Get access to homework help, practice tests, and online tutors! Free for Piscataway Library Patrons
- Basics of Trigonometry - Elise teaches us the basics of trigonometry.
- Fact Monster - Have fun with learning by playing games!
- Points of View - This database presents multiple sides of an issue with rich content that can help students assess and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues, and develop analytical thinking skills.
- View all Piscataway Library Research Databases
Job Resources
Ever feel like you want to apply for a job, but you just don't know how to do it? How about writing the dreaded Resume and Cover letter combo? Well, we offer really good resources to help Teens determine what skills they have and how to achieve some goals!
Brainfuse offers solid resources on all facets of the job market for middle schoolers and high schoolers as well!
- Brainfuse can help you write a perfect resume
- It can help you discover people, skills, and the field of your choice!
- All it takes is just getting started and before you know it, you'll be on your way to a new job!
Google Classroom offers so many tutorials from creating a resume, writing a cover letter, and even searching for a part-time or summer job!
- Most tutorials range from 45-90 minutes, so be prepared to take some notes!
- Students will need an active Google account to access all of Google Classroom's phenomenal resources.
- Explore Google Classroom to find even more tutorials on all sorts of new and interesting things to help with your life!
Job & Career Accelerator offers many resources to prepare for interviews, finding a job, and even career eBooks!
Also be sure to check out our career collections at Kennedy and Westergard for additional resources!
Check out our teen booklists by clicking here!
Also, check out:
- Book Talks - Looking for something to read? Check out these book talks! From our very own librarians and some of your submissions too!
- eLibraryNJ - Download eBooks and eAudio Books.
- Hoopla - Use your library card to access movies, music, ebooks, audiobooks, comics, and more!
- Novelist - Find favorite authors or books or get a description of a plot or genre.
- Novelist K-8 - This is your guide to books for younger readers.
Anti-racism Resources:
Use this link to access a collection Anti-racism materials for teens!
Erica: 
My favorite part of being a Teen Services Librarian is planning events, like Muggle Quidditch, slime, and melted crayon art. I also love talking about books. Some of my favorites are Chasing King's Killer, Property of the Rebel Librarian, Spooked, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and It Wasn't Me. You'll find me most often in the Teen Room at Westergard! Stop by and say hello!
Kate-Lynn: 
Hi! I love working with the teens in Piscataway because I like connecting you to resources in your community. I also love coming up with fun program ideas! When I'm not at work, I'm trying out a new craft (my latest obsession is embroidery!) or playing with my dogs. I like to read YA thrillers, realistic fiction, and nonfiction. Some of my favorites are Monday's Not Coming, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, and Hey, Kiddo. Stop by the Kennedy Teen Space to say hi!
Jenny: 
Hello! I work at both libraries, planning fun maker programs for teens and adults. My favorite part of being a librarian is meeting new people and helping them find something they love at the library! I love reading non-fiction books, especially biographies and cookbooks, so be sure to stop by and ask for a recommendation. In my life before libraries, I owned a craft store, so be on the lookout for fun craft & maker programs coming this spring!
Please check the Library holdings in our Online Catalog before submitting your request to make sure we do not already own the item you are interested in.
Have a suggestion for a Teen book, AudioBook, or Video Game? Fill out the form below!
Thank you for your suggestion! Your request will be reviewed by the Library's professional staff in accordance with the Library's collection development policy.
Please note: A hold will not be placed for you on the item you request. You may place a hold on the item if and when it is added to the catalog.