← Back to teens
The Vortex is our unique space specifically designed for teens to read, study or hang out with friends. Teens in grades 6–12 can play board games and video games, use the computers or reserve a study room with a library card or school ID. You can use our maker cart and kits to create your own blackout poetry, duct tape wallet or beaded bracelets.
We also host regular programs just for teens, like movie screenings, arts and crafts and much, much more! Visit our events calendar to view a complete list of our programs, including dates and times for video game open play.
Vortex Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 2–8:30 pm.
Friday: 2–5:30 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: noon–5:30 p.m.
The Vortex will open at noon on Valley View School District holidays and 1 p.m. on Valley View School District early release days.
Vortex Summer Hours:
Monday–Thursday: noon–8:30 pm.
Friday–Sunday: noon–5:30 p.m.
Vortex Collections
The Vortex is home to our young adult fiction and audiobook collections, as well as our brand new, CREATE collection. The Vortex is not open during all the hours that the library is open, but staff at the 2nd Floor Service Desk can provide short-term access to the Vortex’s collections any time that the library is open. Non-teen patrons can access the Vortex to browse the collections but may not remain in the room.
Right outside the Vortex, you can browse our new displays featuring popular materials and genre fiction. You can also browse our anime, graphic novel and teen nonfiction collections.
New Collections
Explore. Make. Create. Our new collection of CREATE books will inspire you to think outside the box and spark your creativity to produce wonderful results. The collection includes DIY books on drawing, science experiments, manga, face painting, screenwriting, costume design, nail art and much more! If you want to learn how to draw your favorite manga characters, make a duct tape wallet or build your own robot, stop by the Vortex and explore.

Questions? Vortex staff can be reached at 630.685.4199 or fountaindaleteen@fountaindale.org.