Humanities events
Our humanities program brings nationally recognized authors and world-class scholars to the library community through events that focus on music, art, local history, religion, literature, and culture. Stay up-to-date on Humanities programming with our monthly newsletter:
Programs are often developed in partnership with our many local arts and humanities organizations, nonprofits, and institutions.
Humanities programming is funded by the Durham Library Foundation.
Upcoming Events
Behind the Scenes - Live Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Library - Friends of the Durham Library Reading Lounge (2109))
Get a front-row seat to the creative process! Join us for a special behind the scenes look at the Big Red Dance Project as they prepare for their upcoming showcase, coming to Main Library on June 5, 2026....
Ages: Intergenerational
Behind the Scenes - Live Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Library - History Lounge)
Get a front-row seat to the creative process! Join us for a special behind the scenes look at the Big Red Dance Project as they prepare for their upcoming showcase, coming to Main Library on June 5, 2026....
Ages: Intergenerational
Behind the Scenes - Live Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Library - Innovation Lab Stairs)
Get a front-row seat to the creative process! Join us for a special behind the scenes look at the Big Red Dance Project as they prepare for their upcoming showcase, coming to Main Library on June 5, 2026....
Ages: Intergenerational
Behind the Scenes - Live Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Children's Programming Room)
Get a front-row seat to the creative process! Join us for a special behind the scenes look at the Big Red Dance Project as they prepare for their upcoming showcase, coming to Main Library on June 5, 2026....
Ages: Intergenerational
Award Winning Insights with Juju Chang
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Auditorium)
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Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Intergenerational, Middle School, Senior Citizen, Teen, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds
Behind the Scenes - Live Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Library - Friends of the Durham Library Reading Lounge (2109))
Get a front-row seat to the creative process! Join us for a special behind the scenes look at the Big Red Dance Project as they prepare for their upcoming showcase, coming to Main Library on June 5, 2026....
Ages: Intergenerational
Behind the Scenes - Live Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Library - History Lounge)
Get a front-row seat to the creative process! Join us for a special behind the scenes look at the Big Red Dance Project as they prepare for their upcoming showcase, coming to Main Library on June 5, 2026....
Ages: Intergenerational
Behind the Scenes - Live Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Library - Innovation Lab Stairs)
Get a front-row seat to the creative process! Join us for a special behind the scenes look at the Big Red Dance Project as they prepare for their upcoming showcase, coming to Main Library on June 5, 2026....
Ages: Intergenerational
Behind the Scenes - Live Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Children's Programming Room)
Get a front-row seat to the creative process! Join us for a special behind the scenes look at the Big Red Dance Project as they prepare for their upcoming showcase, coming to Main Library on June 5, 2026....
Ages: Intergenerational
Stone Stories: Create your own Petroglyphs
Monday, June 15, 2026 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm
South Regional Library (4505 S. Alston Ave) (South Regional - Children's Programming Room)
Explore the world of ancient rock art!...
Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten, Pre-School
Justice in the Weeds: Why People Reclaim Neglected Cemeteries
Saturday, June 27, 2026 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm
East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane) (East Meeting Room)
Across the United States, people are coming together to care for overgrown cemeteries—the burial grounds of marginalized people, including African Americans, psychiatric hospital patients, and the poor. These volunteer groups pull up...
Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Senior Citizen, Teen
Get in touch!
Celeste
Email: choltzmann@dconc.gov
Celeste is a North Carolina native from the small town of Ridgeway. A winding road of customer service jobs and volunteer opportunities fed her passion for serving community and the various members of it. A graduate of UNC Asheville (BA) focusing in the art of printmaking and from NCCU (MLS) focusing in public libraries, she is thrilled to now take on the role of Humanities Coordinator for the exceptional community of the Durham County Library system. If you could only know one thing about her, she'd want you to know that she wants to HEAR FROM YOU! The humanities and libraries share the common thread of community and sharing voices, so please share yours! There may not be enough days in the year to do it all, but your ideas, interests, and suggestions matter!
Pronouns: she/her