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
Reading for the End of the World
Thursday, April 30, 2026 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Auditorium)
The world seems to be ending on a daily basis....
Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, Senior Citizen
Durham's Treasures: Unearthing History through Death Records
Saturday, May 02, 2026 • 1:15pm - 3:15pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Conference Room #3214)
Join genealogy expert Debra Taylor Gonzalez-Garcia for an attention-grabbing workshop that introduces Durham residents to the ways death information can reveal hidden history. We'll discuss different death records (obituaries, death certificates,...
Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, Senior Citizen
Registration full. Join the waitlist >
If I Ruled the World...Designing Future Spaces for Ourselves and our Community
Thursday, May 07, 2026 • 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Auditorium)
When our day to day feels bombarded with conflict, what is there to hope for? From Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower,” to the magic of Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” futurism creates space for dreaming what’s...
Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Senior Citizen, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds
The Magic of Louis Sachar
Monday, May 11, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Auditorium)
...
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 13, 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 13, 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 13, 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 13, 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
Nature Writing Workshop
Saturday, May 16, 2026 • 10:00am - 11:30am
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Conference Room #3214)
Nature has inspired countless pieces of poetry and prose over the course of time and space; writing about nature puts us in intimate touch with our own inner landscapes, while filling us with awe and reverence for our natural world. If you have ever...
Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, Senior Citizen
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 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
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 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
Award Winning Insights with Juju Chang
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Auditorium)
...
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
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