Each year, libraries across the United States invite teens to a locally hosted lock-in on the same night to celebrate summer reading with online visits with well-known authors, fun contests, popular crafts, and multi-player games. While each event is sponsored by the participating library, librarians share ideas and expertise to coordinate events that bring teens together across time zones and geographic boundaries.

The 2023 National Teen Library Lock-in will be held Friday, July 28th!

The National Teen Library Lock-In idea grew out of an event coordinated by Jennifer Lawson of the San Diego County Library with several other California libraries in 2011 and has become a popular celebration that connects teens and librarians across the country. In 2013, more than thirty-five libraries connected through the National Teen Library Lock-in. In 2014, the National Teen Lock-in grew to 80 libraries.

Each library, large or small, urban or rural, organizes their own activities (and times), and then librarians use digital tools to connect teens with each other and with popular YA authors. Some library events last several hours and others last all night.

We hope to see you this July in 2023!

If you are a librarian who is interested in learning more about the nationwide event, please feel free to take a look around and contact us!  Subscribe to our mailing list!