Bragtown Branch Library

Bragtown Branch 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. As the plans came together for the new facility, the library was temporarily housed in a store while the steering committee raised funds by hosting fish fries and bake sales. 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. Preservation Durham has recently identified Bragtown Branch Library as a site of historic significance in Durham’s African-American history.

Facility:

• 1000 square foot building
• study seating for 16

Collection features:

• 5229 books (60% children’s)
• 30 magazine subscriptions
• 200 reference materials
• puzzles for in-house use

Services and Features:

• public Internet access
• adult and children’s programs and activities
• community bulletin board
• Friends of the Library group
• drive-up book return
• public photocopier