Durham County Main, Regional, and Stanford L. Warren Branch Libraries will be available as cooling centers during our regular open hours July 16-19.
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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

Welcome to "The Labyrinthosaurus!"

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Auditorium)

Get ready for an adventure! ...

Ages: Adult, Baby, 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

CANCELED: Pajama Storytime

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • 6:30pm - 7:00pm

Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd) (Southwest Meeting Room)

Today's event has been canceled! Thanks for your understanding. See you next time!

Ages: Baby, Elementary School, Intergenerational, Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler

Dinosaur Duel: Melee in the Mesozoic!

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • All day

South Regional Library (4505 S. Alston Ave)

Whether you're the Iguanadons biggest fan or a die hard T-Rex supporter, vote for your favorite dinosaurs in our March-Madness style showdown. Be sure to vote every week for your favorites! Each time you vote you earn a chance to win a Dinosaur...

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

Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt @ Southwest Regional

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • All day

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

For July's scavenger hunt, we’ve hidden pictures of 10 dinosaurs throughout the children’s area of the library... Can you find them all?!...

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

Donut Stop Me Now: Donut Crawl

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • All day

Offsite

Get out in your local community and eat some great donuts (and other treats) this summer!...

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

Check for more events like this > or See all events

Staff picks

Gardening Books for Kids!

This list is a catalog companion to Southwest's paper booklist about gardening! This list includes non-fiction, picture books, and board books.

Unearth a Story: Picture Books about Diggers

This booklist celebrates all the incredible machines and amazing animals that move earth, build worlds, and burrow beneath our feet. These picture books highlight the creatures and...

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.

Meet the children’s librarians

Donielle, children's librarian at Southwest Regional, dressed as Wonder Woman

Donielle

Location: South Regional Library

In 2006, Donielle started working for Wake County Public Libraries when she was 16 years old. She began her work experience as a page and held that role for 15 years. In order to increase her library knowledge, she attended ECU and received her MLS. Donielle is also proud to say that she’s a certified librarian! While working as a page, she was also a library assistant in Franklin County. Now she’s a children’s librarian, which is the role she always wanted! She feels really grateful for being a part of the Durham family.

Meet all the children’s librarians >