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.

Bragtown Branch Library

Bragtown Branch Library

3200 Dearborn Drive
Durham, NC 27704
Directions

919-560-0210

This week’s hours

Sorry, we're closed right now
Sunday Closed Monday 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday Closed

Getting here

Bus routes

GoDurham 9A / 9B/ 9

Bike racks

By the main entrance, at the parking lot exit on Ruth Street.

Parking

Gravel lot. Spaces are limited during peak times.

Amenities

  • Drive-up book drop
  • Single-occupant all-gender restroom

Common tasks

Technology

  • Public internet access computers

    Computers with internet access are available for public use at all Durham County Library locations.

    Public internet access computers details
  • Hotspots for checkout

    Your Durham County Library card lets you borrow a mobile hotspot to take the internet wherever you go!

    Hotspots for checkout details
  • Printing

    Printing is available at all locations. You can send your file to the printer from one of our public computers, or print to a library printer from your own device using our mobile printing service. There is a small fee that can be paid by credit card at Main Library’s adult computers and in cash at our other locations.

    Printing details
  • Copiers

    Copiers are available at all locations. There is a small fee that can be paid by credit card at Main Library's adult computers and in cash at our other locations.

    Copiers details

Assistive technology

More assistive technology info
  • BigKeys keyboard

    Helps with typing for people with mobility and/or visual impairments. This multi-colored keyboard has bigger than normal keys to make it easier to see letters and select just one key at a time while typing at a computer. The multi-colored keys also pro

  • BigKeys keyboard keyguard

    Can be placed over the BigKeys keyboard to help in selecting only a single letter or key at a time.

  • Trackball mouse

    This mouse is a handheld pointing device that requires little wrist or hand movement. You can control it with very limited finger movement. It can also be used to control an on-screen keyboard, available at every computer through Microsoft Office.

  • Keyboard type aid

    Fits over your hand to help select keys on a keyboard or turn the pages of an open book.

  • Handheld video magnifier

    Magnifies text and images, with the option of changing the color contrast for easy visual discernment based on your preferences. The magnifier can be held in your hand or placed on an open book.

  • Adaptive joystick

    A handheld pointing device that requires limited hand movement, with different grips available based on your preference. It can also be used to control the on-screen keyboard, available at every computer through Microsoft Office.

Did you know?

  • The Bragtown Branch Library was established to serve the African Americans living in rural Durham, a population that was historically underserved. Once opened, it became an immediate gathering place for adults, teens, and children in the community.
  • The library, which was first known as the “Little Library”, was temporarily housed in a little room in the back of Mr. William Glenn’s Store on Fence Row Road (now Dearborn Drive).
  • Bragtown Branch is small in size, but we’re big in the number of resources that we can offer the community.

Today’s events

Graphic Book Club

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Virtual

Are you a fan of comic books or graphic novels? Join us on ZOOM for this month's meeting of Durham County Library's Graphic Book Club....

Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Senior Citizen

Registration required

Bragtown's Books N Bundts Reading Challenge for Kids

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 • All day

Bragtown Branch Library

Are you ready for a challenge? Stop by the Bragtown Branch location to pick up a reading tracker sponsored by Nothing Bundt Cakes. Elementary school students will have a chance to receive a Free Bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cake when they read...

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten, DPS

Check for more events like this > or See all events

Special features at Bragtown Branch Library

Children's area at Bragtown featuring comfortable seating, a colorful rug, shelves of children's books, and an easel

Children's area

Outdoor garden

Bragtown's main entrance with new widened doorway, children's books to the left. and computer area to the right

2020 renovations

The library's main entrance from the parking lot on Ruth Street is now wheelchair accessible. There is also new flooring, LED lights, drop ceiling and heating/cooling units to enhance the space and improve energy efficiency, a renovated ADA compliant restroom, a new floorplan with a designated children’s area, and new modern furniture and shelving.

More about Bragtown

Bragtown Library was founded as a branch of the African American Stanford L. Warren Library to serve Northeast Durham. The dream of locating a library in the community became a reality because of the hard work of Bragtown community leaders and the Stanford L. Warren Library Board. In 1958, federal money was given for books to libraries that wanted to extend to rural populations. The Fence Row community was mentioned as an ideal location, and the “Little Library” opened in a room in the back of Mr. William Glenn’s Store located on Fence Row Road (now Dearborn Drive). During the fiscal year 1959–1960, the library saw a 95% increase in circulation and decided that they needed a permanent building. As the plans came together for the new facility, the steering committee raised funds by hosting fish fries and bake sales. Residents ultimately raised $2,700 dollars to pay for the land, and on July 21, 1961, the land at Ruth Street and Dearborn Drive was deeded to the Durham Colored Library. Bragtown Branch Library opened and was dedicated on March 11, 1962. In April of 1966, the Durham Colored Library merged with the Durham City-County Public Library, and Bragtown became part of the new Durham County Library system. In the 1970s, the Bragtown community would again rally, this time to protest the proposed closing of the branch amidst discussions about building a library branch in North Durham. Community members appeared before the County Commissioners and made the case that the library served as a central community center. The Commissioners agreed to keep the branch open. In 2020, Bragtown Branch reopened to the public after being closed for maintenance and renovation in 2018. The reopened library offers expanded hours, a new floorplan with a designated children’s area, and accessibility improvements including a wheelchair accessible main entrance and an ADA compliant restroom. Explaining the importance of Bragtown Library, a community member said, “This library is much needed in our community for so many reasons, for our young and old. It holds a very special place in my heart as well as other community residents. It was created during a time when Black people were not allowed in white libraries in Durham. Bragtown Library gave Black people a space to be able to enjoy books and learning and to go anywhere you wanted to go in the world through reading. Now, many families in this community are without home internet and computers, which are very important in today’s ways of living.” With books, computer access, and more, Bragtown Branch Library today keeps up its legacy of giving community members access to the imaginative world. Preservation Durham has identified Bragtown Library as a site of historical significance in Durham’s African American history.