Book ordering delay More info >
The Innovation Lab at Main Library will be closed from Saturday, November 29th through Wednesday, December 3rd for maintenance and staff meetings.
All library locations and services will be closed Thursday, 11/27, and Friday, 11/28, for Thanksgiving.

For kids and families

The library is a place for all kinds of families to discover, explore, and have fun together.

It’s not just books (although we’ve got a great collection for kids!). At the library you can:

…and much more!

For every age

Through every stage of your lifelong learning journey, the library is there for you. From the very beginning with lapsit storytimes and board books, through homework help and fun activities for kids in school, and into the teen years and beyond – at every age, we can help you grow, learn, and have fun!

Upcoming events

Bragtown's Bilingual Storytime with Ms. Melanie!

Friday, November 28, 2025 • 10:30am - 11:00am

Bragtown Branch Library (3200 Dearborn Dr)

Join us for Bilingual Storytime at the Bragtown Branch Library! This engaging and interactive program is perfect for children and families looking to enjoy stories, songs, and activities in both English and Spanish....

Ages: Baby, Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler

Registration required

Family Fables & Fun (Storytime)

Saturday, November 29, 2025 • 11:00am - 11:45am

East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane) (East Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Bring the whole family to enjoy interactive stories, action songs, and finger plays, all while spending time with other little ones within your community!  Intended ages: 0-5 years old

Ages: Baby, Elementary School, Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler

Registration required

Downtown Durham Chess Club

Saturday, November 29, 2025 • 1:30pm - 5:30pm

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Meeting Room #4347)

...

Ages: Adult, Elementary School, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Intergenerational, Middle School, Senior Citizen, Teen, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds

Southwest Youth Services Team Program Break

Monday, November 24, 2025 • 11:59pm - Saturday, November 29, 2025 • 11:59pm

Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd) (Southwest Regional - Children's Computer Area)

The Southwest Youth Services Team will be on a short program break from 11/24-11/29. Programs resume Monday, 12/1. We are thankful for our wonderful library community! ...

Ages: Baby, Kindergarten, Middle School, Pre-School, Toddler

Backyard Birds of North Carolina Scavenger Hunt @ Southwest Regional

Saturday, November 29, 2025 • All day

Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd) (Southwest Regional - Children's Area)

For this month’s scavenger hunt, we’ve hidden pictures of 10 backyard birds (that you’d commonly see in N.C.) throughout the children’s area of the library... Can you find them all?!...

Ages: Baby, Elementary School, Kindergarten, Middle School, Pre-School, Toddler, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds, DPS

Children's Scavenger Hunt @ North Regional Library: Aviation History Month

Saturday, November 29, 2025 • All day

North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd)

Visit the Information Desk at North Regional Library to pick up a scavenger hunt sheet. Soar into the Children's Area! Can you match each flying machine to its invention date? Then, turn in your completed sheet to earn a prize!

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten, Pre-School

Baby Bookworms (Lapsit Storytime)

Monday, December 01, 2025 • 10:00am - 10:30am

East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane) (East Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Caregivers and their infants can enjoy this lapsit-style storytime program filled with fingerplays, stories, and songs focused on early literacy. Come meet other caregivers of little ones in the area while you spend time with your little one....

Ages: Baby

Registration required

Check for more events like this > or See all events

Staff picks

Early Chapter Book Mysteries 🔍

Perfect for First Graders and up, these mysteries are ideal for readers who are just starting to transition into chapter books and are looking to solve a mystery or two!

Picture Books by Japanese Authors/Illustrators

Check out these beautiful picture books by Japanese authors/illustrations! Here are just some of the ones in our collection. Each book listed has a description of the featured author or illustrator, and a brief blurb about the story!

Drawn from Reality

A collection of juvenile graphic nonfiction titles that bring true stories, fascinating facts, and real-world events to life through vivid illustrations and storytelling.

Featured online resources

Brainfuse HelpNow

Free online tutoring, help with writing assignments, and more.

Help and more info for Brainfuse HelpNow

Gale in Context: Elementary

Just for elementary students: search for info on current events, the arts, science, health, people, government, history, sports, and more. Includes easy-to-understand articles from over 100 kids' magazines, newspapers, and reference books.

Help and more info for Gale in Context: Elementary

Just for Kids Access Video

Kids’ shows, with favorites like Sesame Street, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, and more.

NCpedia

Info about North Carolina history, people, government, and educational institutions.

More online resources for kids >

Accounts and access

Library cards

No one is too young or old to get a library card! Kids from 0 to 17 can check out items, use computers, and more with a juvenile card. A parent or guardian must be present to sign up for the card.

For Durham Public Schools students – Bull City, NC SLAM

Durham Public Schools students can also check out items through the Bull City, NC SLAM program. No sign-up is required: students already have a SLAM ID unless you’ve opted out of the program – it’s the same as your student ID or PowerSchool number. You can use your SLAM IDs for checking out books, using library resources online, and more. Learn more about how Bull City, NC SLAM works.

Meet the children’s librarians

Ms. Olivia in her chef's hat, ready to whip up some fun

Ms. Olivia

Location: Southwest Regional Library

Since the summer of 2014, Ms. Olivia has assisted in Children’s Services. She can’t believe that she gets paid telling stories! She can’t believe that she gets paid to sing and dance with children and adults! She can’t believe how much fun she has at DCo Library — and she gets paid!

Pronouns: she/her

Meet all the children’s librarians >