Durham County Library Invites Everyone to ‘Unearth a Story’ During Annual Celebration of Summer Reading
Durham, NC — Summer is near and that means it’s time for Durham County Library’s annual Summer Reading Program! Beginning in June, Library patrons of all ages will begin participating in this year’s journey, with the theme of “Unearth a Story.” The theme underscores the joy of discovery that reading brings and that every person and every community have stories waiting to be found and shared – through books, programs, and local knowledge. Free programs and special events will be hosted by all seven Durham County Library locations, with each offering a unique lineup centered around dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology!
Patrons are invited to stop by any Durham County Library location from Monday, June 15, to Saturday, August 8, 2026, to pick up a paper reading log. You can also download the reading log and print at home. Reading logs must be turned in at a Durham County Library location. Sign up and completion prizes will be available while supplies last. Summer Reading is made possible by the generous support of the Durham Library Foundation and the Friends of the Durham Library. Be sure to visit our Summer Reading webpage for more information.
“We are thrilled to be launching the Durham County Library’s 2026 Summer Reading program in June,” said Bragtown Branch Library Location Manager Felicia Brown. “This year’s ‘Unearth a Story’ theme invites readers of all ages to dig into dinosaurs, fossils, and the science of discovery through exciting programs at the Library. Our hands on activities will include interactive STEM experiments, creative craft projects, storytimes, and many more exploration themed programs inspired by paleontology and the natural world. Stop by your local library location to pick up a reading log and start tracking your summer reads – your name might be drawn for one of our grand prizes. We can’t wait to see what you discover this summer!”
Readers of all ages are encouraged to participate, and a library card is not necessary to sign up. At the end of the approximately eight weeks of Summer Reading, spanning the majority of Durham Public Schools’ traditional calendar summer break, a raffle for grand prizes will take place at each location for toddlers and preschoolers, elementary school-aged children, teens and young adults, and adults. Each completed reading log submitted to a Library location earns one entry in the raffle. Completed reading logs will be accepted until 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, and the prize drawings will be on the following week. Winners will be contacted to arrange pick up of their prizes.
We invite members of the Durham community to join us for our kickoff events at each of our locations. Please see below for details:
South Regional Library Kickoff Event
Thursday, June 11, 2 p.m.
South Regional
Registration table at event.
Bragtown Branch Library Kickoff Event
Friday, June 12, 10:30 a.m.
Bragtown Branch
Registration not required.
North Regional Library Kickoff Event
Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.
North Regional
Registration not required.
Main Library Kickoff Event
Saturday, June 13, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Main Library
Registration not required.
East Regional Library Kickoff Event
Saturday, June 13, 11 – 11:45 a.m.
East Regional Library
Registration opens May 23.
Southwest Regional Library Kickoff Event
Monday, June 15, 3 p.m.
Southwest Regional
Registration not required.
Stanford L. Warren Branch Kickoff Event
Wednesday, June 17, 4 p.m.
Stanford L. Warren Branch
Registration not required.
You certainly won’t need a shovel to find summer adventure and fun as every book you finish brings you closer to unearthing something “dino-mite!” and programming will take you back in time to Unearth a Story!
There will be plenty of free events and programs for all ages at each of our Library locations during Summer Reading with the first summer reading program being “Storytime with Ms. Molly” on June 3. System-wide performances from Kathi’s Klowns with their “Dino Adventure Show” and “Explore Lost Worlds” with Mad Science are scheduled throughout the summer! Adult programming will range from Live Dungeons & Dragons, paleontology trivia, help from an expert genealogist, cemetery stories, bones and skulls discussions, and much more!
Be sure to search our events calendar online or follow our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram to find out more!
About Durham County Library
Durham County Library encourages discovery, connects the community, and leads in literacy. For more information about the library, visit DurhamCountyLibrary.org.
About the Durham Library Foundation
Durham County Library receives generous funding from the Durham Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization founded 25 years ago to develop and encourage the long-term financial health and growth of Durham County Library.
About the Friends of the Durham Library
The Friends of the Durham Library is a nonprofit organization that helps fund programs, services, and materials at Durham County Library. You can help by becoming a member, attending a book sale at Books Among Friends or a pop-up sale at a library location, and donating gently used books.