Many parents make use of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System’s free library books and movies during the summer to occupy and, hopefully, to educate their young children.

But what to do about the teens who have hit the post-4th-of-July summer doldrums? AFPLS branches across Fulton County are offering a wide range of free summer activities geared specifically for teens.

Here is a sample:

The Teen Book Club: Teens Talking Literature
Monday, 7/19/2010 6:00 PM-7:30 PM
Fairburn Branch Library, 60 Valley View Drive, Fairburn, GA
The teen book club will discuss, “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. This program is sponsored by the Youth Services Librarian. For more information call 770-306-3138.

Teen Gaming @ The Library
Tuesday, 7/20/2010 4:00 PM-5:30 PM
West End Branch Library, 525 Peeples Street, S.W., Atlanta, GA - Free and open to the public. Enjoy an afternoon of playing popular games on the Nintendo Wii. For more information call 404-752-8740.

Watercolor Masters
Thursday, 7/22/2010 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
Roswell Branch Library, Meeting Room, 115 Norcross Street, Roswell, GA
Watercolor Masters. Learn about watercolors and create a painting based on a famous masterpiece. Ages 13-17. Registration is required. For more information call 770-640-3075.
Sponsored by: Art Out of the Box

Arise, Write, Release: The Main Character
Saturday, 7/24/2010 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
East Point Branch Library, 2757 Main St., Atlanta, GA - Free
Workshop will take the basic writing principles of character, story, plot and scene development and place them in real life situations. For more information call 404-762-4842.

D.I.Y. Glass Etching
Saturday, 7/24/2010 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Alpharetta Branch Library, Meeting Room,238 Canton Street, Alpharetta,GA
Customize by creating simple to delicate designs on your own glassware with this easy technique. For more information call 770-740-2425.

For these and other activities for teens, go to the Events Calendar tab on the library homepage, scroll to the bottom and select the middle- or high school age range.

All programs are free and open to the public.