For tax preparation info, please call 919-695-7548. More info >
Behind-the-scenes software update - you can now log in to the online catalog, view your account, and place holds. Phone renewals are not available yet - for now, you can renew online or by contacting us.

In the community

The library isn’t just a building (or even seven buildings!). We provide services throughout Durham County so we can reach as many people as possible. You may catch our staff members helping out at a community event or visiting your school. We also have programs dedicated to extending the library into the community. Here are some of them:

The Bookmobile - a large vehicle with doors open to show some of the books inside and the Outreach staff gathered around

The Bookmobile

The bookmobile is our mobile branch! It's a large vehicle loaded with books you can check out. On the bookmobile you can also sign up for a library card, pick up a book you requested through our online catalog, and more. Request a visit for your preschool, child care program, or other organization, or catch us at one of our public stops.

The Tech Mobile: a large vehicle with open doors and extended canopies

The Tech Mobile

A giant vehicle the size of a large yellow school bus or RV, the Tech Mobile is loaded with all sorts of technology that's ready to hit the road. It can serve as a mobile hotspot in the community, offer STEAM programming and computer classes, let you host a meeting in our meeting space, and much more!

Lunchtime Adventures

Our summer lunch program features nutritious meals and fun activities for children ages 1 to 18. Our partner Durham Public Schools (DPS) provides a lunch for each child. We serve the lunches at a designated site and present enrichment activities to go with them. Lunchtime typically features storytimes, crafts, and/or readings by community members. We also offer special programs including science, drama, gardening, games, and music. Lunchtime Adventures usually starts about the third week of June and runs until the second or third week of August.

With support from Duke Pediatrics, we’ve been able to invite parents to participate with their children by having lunch and enjoying the programs. Through this Duke partnership, we’ve also started a food pantry that provides weekend sustenance for the families in the program.

Library Youth Partnership

High schoolers from Durham Public Schools take the lead in this program promoting literacy and the principles of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). Students selected as youth partners work with the program’s coordinator to select science-based children’s books, turn them into skits, and pair them with related STEAM activities. The students then present the skits and activities at various Durham elementary afterschool programs.

The high school students serve as role models for the elementary students while developing self-confidence, dependability, and a strong work ethic. The program also helps to foster a love of reading in the elementary students.

To become a youth partner, teens must be recommended by their school media specialist, complete an application, and participate in an interview process. Transportation and stipends are provided to teens accepted in the program. This program is funded by Glaxo Smith Kline through the Durham Library Foundation.

Get Set, Get Ready, Let’s Read!

We work with Durham County’s child care programs to develop early literacy skills in children from birth to five years old. Twice a month, we visit each partner site for a complete storytime based on book-sharing techniques. Our visits also include crafts, music, and movement. Afterward, we leave books with the providers to use for creating more reading experiences until the next visit. Get Set aims to foster a love of reading in children and to help prepare them to succeed in school.

Bring the library to you

Did you know that the library can come to you? We offer programs such as storytimes, S.T.E.A.M./maker events, group library card signup events, library info sessions, and much more! Learn more about requesting a visit.