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 17, 2024 • 10:30am - 11:00am

North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd) (North Meeting Room - Full Room)

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

Ages: Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler

Toddler Time

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 • 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 toddler storytime. This interactive storytime encourages toddlers and their caregivers to participate in activities that build important pre-reading skills! Please register...

Ages: Pre-School, Toddler

Registration full. Join the waitlist >

Leyendo con El Centro Hispano / Reading with El Centro Hispano

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 • 11:00am - 12:00pm

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

Programa dirigido a crear hábitos, técnicas, comprensión e intercambio de experiencias de lectura a través de grupos de lectura para menores de preescolar donde la madre guía a través la lectura para el...

Ages: Intergenerational

Beginner Phonics

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 • 3:30pm - 4:00pm

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

Come join us for a 12 week beginner phonics program at the Main Library. Each week, we will be learning new letter sounds, practicing rhyming, practicing blending, and will be working our way up to reading short stories.  This program is...

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

Registration required

This Week In the Lab: Breakerspace

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 • 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St)

Join the STEAM Team in the Innovation Lab during specified open hours to tinker with used and broken electronics through taking items apart! We'll provide the tools, you provide the curiosity!...

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

Encanto Movie Screening at East Regional Library

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 • 4:00pm - 5:30pm

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

Join us at East Regional Library for a viewing of Encanto. Gather with your friends to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a movie and a snack. 

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten

Check for more events like this > or See all events

Featured online resources

Brainfuse HelpNow

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

Help and more info for Brainfuse HelpNow

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.

Online storytimes

Join our awesome children’s librarians as they share some of their favorite stories!
More online programming: Online storytime playlist Toddler Tuesday Wacky Wednesday Bilingual Thursday

Meet the children’s librarians

Laurel reading "Rabbit's Gift" during storytime

Ms. Laurel

Location: Main Library

Laurel has an M.L.S. in library science from North Carolina Central, which she obtained in 1995. She has worked in two different library systems in NC since then. She has always liked reading, and this profession was a good way to combine a liking for working with children with the above. Laurel’s favorite genres are romance, science fiction, and culinary mysteries. She likes traveling and writing, as well as reading.

Pronouns: she/her

Meet all the children’s librarians >