In light of Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order and the North Carolina State of Emergency, effective 3/15 all Durham County Library locations are closed to the public until further notice.
Online access
While our doors are closed, you can still check out our online resources, including ebooks, e-audiobooks, magazines, TV shows, and more.
Current cardholders
If you have an existing Durham County Library card, you can sign in to online resources with your account number and PIN. Your account number is the full 14-digit number from the back of your card, starting with 2345, entered with no spaces. If you don’t know your PIN, try the last 4 digits of the phone number associated with your account – if that doesn’t work, get in touch.
To make sure that all cardholders are able to access our online resources, while our locations are closed, we are temporarily removing checkout restrictions based on previously accumulated fines. Even if you have $10+ of fines on your account, you will be able to use our online resources during this closure.
Don’t have a card?
Are you a Durham County resident without a library card? You can use your mobile phone number to sign up for a temporary card that will let you get ebooks and e-audiobooks through OverDrive / Libby. Your access will work as long as the library is closed (after that, you’ll need to come in to make your card permanent). Learn more, or sign up for a temporary online card.
Durham Public Schools students
Did you know that you can access Durham County Library’s ebooks, e-audiobooks, and more using your Durham Public Schools student ID number? Now is the perfect time to try it out – learn more about access for DPS students.
What to do with library items
No fines will be accrued on items you have checked out, retroactive to March 6, 2020.
Holds on library resources will be suspended.
Your patience is requested while we work to reflect these updates to the tracking system.
For everyone’s safety, we have closed the book drops. Please enjoy those books a little longer. 😊
Book donations to the Friends of the Durham Library are also on hold until further notice.
The decision to close our libraries was a very difficult call; however, our commitment to the safety of staff and customers is foremost.
We will let you know as additional information becomes available.
-Your family at the Durham County Library
Comments on this post are closed. If you have questions about any of this information, please get in touch with us at https://durhamcountylibrary.org/ask-us/.
Our library is a wonderful resource and one which I use a lot. It is understandable that these precautions need to be taken.
Thank you to all the librarians and staff who make this resource available.
Good decision.
What about interlibrary books coming due this month
Hi Janet – same as for other items – you can just hang on to them for now.
Thanks!
Sarah
The decision to close have been announced rather late on March 15th since I was at the North Durham branch until between 5:30 and 5:45 that day and nothing was said or posted. Therefore I wasted my time and gasoline going to the library on the 16th only to find it closed. I am NOT happy!
I have a DVD on hold that has to be picked up by March 19, 2020. Is there a way I can get my DVD?
If I can’t get it, will it be available when the liberary reopens?
Hi Evangeline – sorry, but items are not available for pickup right now. We’re extending all current holds, and they shuld be available when the library reopens.
Thanks!
Sarah
I may have given incorrect dates in my earlier reply/comment. I was at the North Durham Branch on Saturday, March 14th until between 5:30 and 5:45 when the only information regarded cancellation of meetings, etc, with notation that the branches would be open regular hours for regular services. When I made a special trip to the North Durham branch on Sunday, March 15th, is when I discovered its closure until further notice. I understand your website had NOT BEEN UPDATED Sunday morning either which resulted in additional unnecessary trips thereto by additional library patrons. I feel that is very poor administrativery oversight of Durham County public facilities.
Hi Jeanette – our apologies for the inconvenience. The decision to close was made late Sunday morning, and the library worked to get the information out as quickly as possible after that.
Best,
Sarah
Hello-
Does the suspension of fines include inter library loan books? I have one that is due 18 March.
Thanks in advance!
Sincerely-
Sarah
Hi Sarah! Yep, you can just hang on to those ILL items for now.
Thanks!
Sarah