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

Playtime with Ms. Chelsea

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 • 10:30am - 11:00am

North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd)

Come join Ms. Chelsea for playtime! Spend Tuesday morning enjoying songs, bubbles, and building blocks! ...

Ages: Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler

Wiggle and Rhyme Storytime

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 • 10:30am - 11:00am

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Children's Programming Room)

Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement activities in this storytime geared for 2 - 6 year olds (siblings welcome!) This interactive storytime encourages children and their caregivers to participate in activities that build important...

Ages: Pre-School, Toddler

Registration required

Ready, Set, Baby with Family Matters Durham (English)

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 • 10:00am - 12:00pm

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

Ready, Set, Baby Classes:  Free prenatal breastfeeding education class designed to help you get ready for your baby, whether you are a first-time parent or adding to your family. These classes are a great way to prepare for pregnancy, birth, and...

Ages: Adult, Baby

Registration required

This Week In the Lab: STEAM Board Games

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 • 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St)

Join the Maker + STEAM Team in the Innovation Lab during specified open hours to adventure through our STEAM-themed board game collection! Bring friends or play games with others here in this drop-in, self-paced activity....

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

Lego Club

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm

North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd) (North Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Let your builder's brain explore in our Lego Club!  Join us to make your creation and have it displayed in the library until our next meeting.  Drop in and build with us!...

Ages: Elementary School

Reading & Phonics Time with Ms. Chloe

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Library - Children's Area)

Does your child need more reading practice and could benefit from more reading aloud time? Or are they just learning phonics sounds and need more practice to build blending skills? Then this program is for them! Schedule a 20-minute session for your...

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

Check for more events like this > or See all events

Staff picks

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

Like the classic series Junie B Jones, these beginner chapter books are all about GIRLS! This list is targeted towards kiddos ages 5-9, or for those who want shorter chapter books featuring illustrations and doodles.

Storytime: The Color Green

Reading picture books about the color green helps children build vocabulary and color recognition while connecting to the world around them. Talking about green things they...

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

Children's librarian Ms. T-H.

Ms. T-H

Location: South Regional Library

Ms. T-H was originally born in New York but has been in NC since 2010. Ms. T-H recently moved to Durham from Raleigh after graduating with a degree in Middle Grades Education (Science & ELA) and realizing that the classroom for her is in the public library. Ms. T-H grew up loving the library and reading, constantly checking out 10+ books at a time and begging to stay one hour more. Becoming a librarian is a dream come true! Ms. T-H is excited to focus on STEAM and media literacy programs. They'd love to share the skills to enjoy the tech and online world safely and competently with the next generation. Ms. T-H is interested in focusing on subjects that children in the community are interested in, so don't be afraid to let her know what you'd like to see. She'll work hard to get it done! Outside of work, Ms. T-H loves playing video games, gardening, collecting Pokemon cards, and jamming out at concerts.

Pronouns: she/they

Meet all the children’s librarians >