Behind-the-scenes software update - you can now log in to the online catalog, view your account, and place holds. Phone renewals are not available yet - for now, you can renew online or by contacting us.

Our mascot: Read A. Bull

Read A. Bull, a person in a bull costume, stands and gives two thumbs up in front of a barn with a horse in a paddock out front

Who is Read A. Bull?

Welcome to Read A. Bull’s webpage! Read A. Bull is Durham County Library’s mascot. Maybe you’ve seen him around at your library location, or a program you attended, or maybe you even caught a glimpse of his animated photos on a flyer or two. He’s our fun, lovable mascot who loves to encourage our young readers with his own love of the library system.

Read A. Bull calls Durham his home – it is “Bull City,” after all. Check out this page for fun information about him and what he’s doing at the library. He loves his community and wants to welcome everyone to the library. If you see him around at your library location, don’t forget to say hello and snap a photo with him. Tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter and use #ReadABull to share your Read A. Bull run-in.

Summer Collectible Card Series

Read A. Bull is making a splash this summer! Find new Read A. Bull collectible cards to pick up at your library location every week. This fun summer series will introduce you to Read A. Bull and some of his favorite library resources.

Saturday, June 11 – Saturday, August 20, you can pick up a new card every week at your Durham County Library location! Join us in learning more about all the resources available to you and how Read A. Bull uses them.

So, when you stop by this summer, ask a librarian for a Read A. Bull card. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to learn more about each card in the summer series – plus some fun facts about Read A. Bull.

Baseball-style card with picture of costumed mascot Read A. Bull and library director Tammy Baggett in front of a wall-sized light board

Card Edition #2201:
Summer @ the Library!

Spend your summer @ the library! Read, learn, and try new things with us all summer long.

Costumed mascot Read A. Bull in front of the Bookmobile with Durham County Library's outreach team

Card Edition #2202:
The Bookmobile

The library comes to you! The Bookmobile is our mobile branch and it’s loaded with books you can check out in English and Spanish. We offer programs such as storytimes, group library card sign-up, and much more!

Can you spot Read A. Bull on the side of the Bookmobile?

Learn more about The Bookmobile in your community.

Costumed mascot Read A. Bull stands at a monitor and uses a scanner to check out a book

Card Edition #2203:
Self-Service Station

Looking to check out materials, view your account, or view and pay fines? With our self-service stations, you can do it yourself! Read A. Bull shares his three easy steps to using the self-service station.

Costumed mascot Read A. Bull sitting on a beanbag chair in a space with gentle purple lighting, reading from a binder that says "multi-sensory environment instruction manual"

Card Edition #2204:
Sensory Support

Read A. Bull can get a bit overwhelmed sometimes, and our sensory spaces and supportive aids help him to relax. Durham County Library strives to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone can access our services and resources.

Learn more about accessibility at the library and some of the sensory spaces you can reserve today.

Costumed mascot Read A. Bull looks through a binder of black-and-white photos

Card Edition #2205:
North Carolina Collection

Read A. Bull loves calling Durham, aka “Bull City,” his home. At the North Carolina Collection on the third floor of Main Library, he can learn more about his city’s history than he could ever imagine. They have tons of digital and physical archives that interest him.

Check out the Collection online or drop by to visit in-person. The North Carolina Collection – Durham research history happens here.

Costumed mascot Read A. Bull uses one of the library's computers

Card Edition #2206:
Computer Services

Durham County Library has a long list of services available to help you with school, work, and life. Sometimes Read A. Bull can have a hard time with technology – computers aren’t usually made for bulls to use. Whenever he needs help, he asks a friendly librarian at the info desk. They always know what to do.

Learn more about our computer services.

Costumed mascot Read A. Bull with kids and librarians at a horse stable

Card Edition #2207:
Programming

The library has incredible programs available to you at all library locations. Our librarians are there for you at any age, to help you discover, explore, and have fun.

Read A. Bull’s favorite program is Storytime with Horses at Brightleaf Stables. He joins East Regional librarians and so many of his young patron friends and listens to stories, dances around, and says hello to the horses at Brightleaf Stables.

Visit our Events Calendar online and find a program that interests you!

Costumed mascot Read A. Bull sitting at a work table and holding up a jar of a sciencey-looking substance

Card Edition #2208:
STEAM

The library’s STEAM services are some of Read A. Bull’s favorite within the library system. He’s even memorized what STEAM stands for: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

Read A. Bull loves doing the Take & Make kits when they become available; every kit is different from the last and highlights one or more of the foundational points of STEAM. He just recently signed up for part 1 of 3D Printing Orientation and he is so excited to finish orientation and start creating his own designs to 3D print!

Visit our STEAM services webpage and our events calendar online to learn more and search for upcoming STEAM programs.

Costumed mascot Read A. Bull reading a book next to a bookshelf with a sign on top saying "Libros en Español"

Card Edition #2209:
Spanish Services

If you need help in Spanish to access any of Durham County Library’s books, resources, or programs, we’re here for you!

Read A. Bull can be pretty shy sometimes and he doesn’t always speak up for himself, that’s why he is always happy feeling so welcome in any Durham County Library he visits. Staff members are always there to help him and get him to where he needs to be or what he needs to find.

The library offers programs in Spanish and bilingual programs for all ages. Visit our Spanish language services webpage to learn more or navigate our website in Spanish.

Costumed mascot Read A. Bull standing in front of Main Library, next to a historical marker reading: "Durham County Public Library - Oldest public library in North Carolina supported by local taxpayers. In 1898 opened its doors at site 1/2 mile west."

Card Edition #2210:
100+ Years

Durham County Library was the first free, tax-supported library in North Carolina. It has been more than a century since it first opened, and the library continues to expand its reach and offerings to keep up with the changing needs of the community.

Read A. Bull is so happy to join the team as the library continues to grow with its community.

Learn more about the history of Durham County Library.