In celebration of National Library Week and all that libraries do: Library Fest is an annual community celebration and showcase of the many diverse ways the library is a part of your life. Since its inaugural year in 2020, Library Fest has hosted programs that encourage discovery, connect the community, and lead in literacy with our STEAM, business, humanities, and local history programming. Each year includes unique offerings and ways to participate in this week-long festival in addition to attending programs.
This year’s theme is “The Stories that Built Us”. The United States of America will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This gives us an opportunity to reflect on the nation’s past, honor the contributions of all people, and shape a better future for generations to come. With over 40 events on a diverse range of topics, specially curated booklists, and more, go beyond the book this coming spring and join us for Library Fest!
2025 Library Fest Logo Contest Winner
Submit your logo design – English | Español
Impact
Library Fest 2025 – The North Carolina Edition
40+ Events
held over 6 days featuring 7 areas of focus including adult programs, business services, teen programs, STEAM programs, children’s programs, Spanish language programs, and accessible programming.
3 new ways
to participate including mailing a postcard to your library, showing library spirit in a thematic Spirit Week, and 21,278 minutes read as a part of the Read-A-Thon.
13 Community partners
donated time, resources, and programming.
350+ Native Seedlings
swapped across 6 locations, 343 new Library Cards issued, 11 specially curated booklists created, and 16 submissions received for the logo contest.
#2025LibraryFest
became our first hashtag with 24,342 friends reached on Facebook and 15,829 community members reached on Instagram.
50+ Library Staff
across 7 participating Library Branches and more than 10 contributing Library units making Library Fest a reality.
2 Major sponsors
making it possible for 2030+ community members to attend events. (Our highest attendance yet!)
Library Fest 2024 – The Nature Edition
40 Events
held over 6 days featuring 7 areas of focus including adult programs, business services, teen programs, STEAM programs, children’s programs, Spanish language programs, and accessible programming.
13 Community partners
and 9 Eats & Treats restaurants donated support, time, resources, and events.
1900+ Seed Packets
distributed across 6 locations, 319 new Library Cards issued, 12 specially curated booklists created, and 20 submissions received for the logo contest.
10247 Friends
kept up on Facebook, 4417 followers stayed in the loop on Instagram, and 4666 Twitter impressions were made by followers.
50+ Library Staff
across 6 participating Library Branches and more than 10 contributing Library units making Library Fest a reality.
3 Major sponsors
making it possible for 1200+ community members to attend events.
Library Fest 2023 – The Storytelling Edition
42 Events
held over 1 week featuring 7 areas of focus including adult programs, business services, teen programs, STEAM programs, children’s programs, Spanish language programs, and accessible programming.
21% Increase
in new library cards issued, 20 curated booklists created, and 13 submissions received for the logo contest.
1900+ Attendees
over 1 week of events supported by 3 event sponsors.
5729 Friends
kept up on Facebook, 1721 followers stayed in the loop on Instagram, and 5544 Twitter impressions were made by followers.
50+ Staff Members
participated in various capacities.
10 Community Organizations
donated time, resources, and events.
20 Local Businesses
participated in Eats & Treats, selling over 339 items and collecting over $1912 in revenue.
Media Coverage
including Durham Magazine and Triangle Family Magazine.
Library Fest 2022 – The Food Edition
1 Week
of programming covering adults, teens, children, Business Services, STEAM, and more!
10 Small Business
collaborations for ‘Tastes Around Town’ led to selling 180+ literary menu items generating $2,200+ in small business revenue.
1 Library System
consisting of 6 branches, 11 Library Units, and 30+ Library Staff bringing Library Fest to life.
8061+ Friends
kept up on Facebook, 3670+ followers stayed in the loop on Instagram, and 2874+ Twitter impressions were made by followers.
29 Programs
attended by 1,800+ people and supported by 2 event sponsors and 20+ community partnerships!
20+ Households
fed through donations from the community at Library Fest events to our food drive partner, Jewish for Good.
Library Fest 2021 – The First Annual
25 Live-Virtual
programs for children, teens, and adults offered during pandemic closures!
1000+ Attendees
over 1 week of events supported by 1 event sponsor, Durham Library Foundation.
Diverse Programs
including painting, sculpture, dance, STEAM, gaming, local history, tech, comics, and author talks.
Branded Giveaways
to the public including face masks, hand sanitizer, pollinator-friendly seeds, and more.
Media Coverage
including Durham Magazine, WUNC, WNCU, WRAL, The Indy, and Spectacular Magazine.
The Team
Library Fest depends on the committed efforts of the Durham County Library Team. Months of planning, brainstorming, collaborating, and organizing are behind every program they brought to the celebration. Thank you to the many dedicated, creative, and passionate Library staff who contributed to bringing Library Fest to life!