Main Library

Getting here
Bus routes
GoDurham 3 / 3B / 3C
GoDurham 4
GoDurham 9A / 9B / 9
Bike racks
Near the Liberty Street entrance. Main's bike racks are architectural - look for the metal loops coming up from the sidewalk.
Parking
- Free lot with 100+ parking spaces. Parking may be limited during peak times and programs.
- Parking decks and street parking are available throughout downtown.
Electric vehicle charging
Six stations available
Amenities
- 24-hour exterior book drop
- Drive-up book drop
- Multi-stall single-gender restrooms
- Single-occupant all-gender restroom
- Infant changing stations
- Lactation room
- Bookable rooms
Common tasks
Technology
-
Public internet access computers
-
Wireless internet access
-
Hotspots for checkout
-
Printing
-
Scanners
-
Copiers
-
Fax
-
Poster printer
-
Laser cutter / heavy-cutting machine
-
Cricut and Cameo / light-cutting machines
-
3D printing
Assistive technology
More assistive technology info-
Zoomtext screen enlargement and screen reader
-
BigKeys keyboard
-
Desktop magnifier
-
BigKeys keyboard keyguard
-
Video relay services
-
Trackball mouse
-
Keyboard type aid
-
Handheld video magnifier
-
Adaptive joystick
-
PCEye Plus Eye Tracking Hardware and Software
-
Kurzweil 3000
-
Eye Can Fly Software
3D tour
Check out some of the spaces and features inside this location before you visit.
Did you know?
- The 2017-2020 renovation process focused on being as environmentally sustainable as possible. In reusing existing structures, about 7 tons of steel were saved.
- If you look up through the white waffle of the ceiling, you can see the existing concrete structure of the previous Main building.
- Main Library is LEED Gold certified.
- Including the North Carolina Collection, Main Library has approximately one quarter million materials in its collection.
Today’s events
ESOL Intermediate Level Class
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 • 10:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library (Conference Room #3214)
MAIN LIBRARY REGISTRATION to take a placement test will officially be open August 1-25. Here is the link to the registration form: https://bit.ly/44MupXY ***MAIN LIBRARY REGISTRATION IS CLOSED***...
Ages: Adult, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, Senior Citizen
This Week In the Lab: LEGOs
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 • 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library
Join the STEAM Team in the Innovation Lab during specified open hours for the chance to create your own LEGO creation!...
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
The FAFSA is Changing - Find out how this affects your financial aid form
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 • 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library (Main Library - MakerLab)
The FAFSA is needed to apply for college financial aid. Attend this class to find out how the latest updates and changes affect your application....
Ages: Adult, High School, Teen
November Teen Subscription Bundles Available!
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 • All day
Main Library (Main Library - Teen Gaming Area)
Ages: High School, Middle School, Teen, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds
Special features at Main Library

Multi Sensory Environment
A specialized space that lets you control and manipulate aspects of the world around you, including light, sound, smell, and touch. Reserve your time online to use the space.
Sensory Calming Room
A quiet respite removed from the rest of the library. With open access during public hours, this room is available whenever you need a space to take a breath. It features calming equipment and furniture to create a quiet environment for a variety of sensory needs.

Children's programming room
Catch storytimes, craft programs, and more in this fun and cozy space just for kids. ***

The North Carolina Collection
A unique archive of materials related to the history of Durham city and county.

Inclusive Play Area
Found in the children’s area on the first floor, this space features an 8-foot-by-6-foot light wall, a magnetic tile wall, and other tactile play elements.

Outdoor Terrace
Take in views of downtown Durham from the large outdoor rooftop terrace. Open for programming and other events. ***

Outdoor Amphitheater
A lovely space to sit, read, and enjoy the great outdoors! You can also catch library programming and events here. ***

The Incubator
Space dedicated to small businesses in the Bull City and contributing to the entrepreneurial ecosphere of the city. Part of our business services offerings. ***

Study booths
Comfortable seating with a generous work surface and electric outlets. Located on each floor, available first come, first served. ***

Teen gaming area
Xbox, Playstation, and more. Join us for a program, or sign up for a time to play on your own. ***
Display wall
Catch historical photos, North Carolina maps, and more inspiring images on this larger-than-life display.

Purple S.T.E.A.M.
The public artwork in front of Main Library, Purple S.T.E.A.M. is a 17-foot-tall 3D printed sculpture. ***
More about Main Library
The current Main Library is the latest in a series of flagship libraries for the Durham County Library system, each on the cutting edge of library services for its time. Durham’s first public library opened in Five Points in 1898. It was the first free, tax-supported library in North Carolina. The library quickly outgrew its original building, and in 1921, it moved to a new building on Main Street, funded by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation. Throughout the next decades, the library’s offerings evolved with the start of bookmobile service (another North Carolina first), the addition of a children’s reading room, and the opening of branch libraries. The collection continued growing throughout this time, and by the 1960s, the library had outgrown its building again. In 1966, the library, which had been segregated up until that point, merged with the Stanford L. Warren Library to create a new integrated system. After the merger, a series of bond referendums to fund a new main library for the system failed. In 1976, voters approved a bond for the construction of a new library in downtown Durham. Ground broke for the project on Roxboro Road in 1979, and the new Main Library opened in 1980. The new building increased the library’s space from 5,000 square feet to 65,000 square feet. It included a children’s room, an audio visual room, and the North Carolina Collection. By the 2000s, the community’s needs had evolved again, and Main Library was in need of renovation to keep up. Thanks to the community passing a bond referendum in 2016, Main was closed for a complete transformation in January of 2017. During the renovation, the existing building was taken down to the studs and foundation and completely transformed. The design, by Vines Architecture, won the NOMA Phil Freelon Professional Design Award and the AIA NC Merit Award. The building went from roughly 65,000 square feet to close to 100,000 square feet and from 3 floors to 4 floors. The renovation added specialized spaces and expanded the library’s capacity for community programming and events. The renovated Main Library will be a community-centered space for learning and innovation for years to come.
Featured location image and photos marked *** are courtesy of Mark Herboth Photography LLC
Manager
C. Aleman
Email: caleman@dconc.gov
Claudia was born and grew up in Los Angeles, California. She received her undergraduate degree from UNCG in communication studies and her M.L.S. from NCCU. Claudia has been a librarian with Durham County since 2013. She started as Head of Circulation in Randolph County then moved on to Durham County as a Reference Librarian. Claudia is bilingual in Spanish and English.