Southwest Regional Library

Southwest Regional Library

3605 Shannon Road
Durham, NC 27707
Directions

919-560-8590

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This week’s hours

Sorry, we're closed right now
Sunday Closed Monday 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM Tuesday 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM Wednesday 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM Thursday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
COVID-19 visit guidelines

Getting here

Bus routes

GoDurham route 10B

Bike racks

In the rear parking lot

Parking

Front and rear parking lots. Parking is limited during peak times.

Amenities

  • 24-hour exterior book drop
  • Single-occupant all-gender restroom
  • Infant changing stations
  • Bookable rooms

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

  • Wireless internet access

    You can connect your own device to the internet at any of our locations. Our wireless internet access is free and does not require a password. Look for the network named “DCo Library Public.” Heads up – our network is an unsecured network.

  • 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

    You can print to printers at Southwest Regional from your mobile device or home computer by using our mobile printing website.
    You can also print by sending an email with attachment(s) to these addresses:

    Printing details

  • Scanners

    Our scanners are flatbed style. They can handle up to letter sized (8.5″ x 11″) documents.

    Scanning is free of cost. You will need a library card or computer use card to sign on to the scanner computer.

  • Copiers

    Copiers are available for public use. There is a small fee per page that has to be paid in cash.

    Copiers details

  • Fax

    Fax machines are available for public use. Faxes cost $1.75 for the first page and $1 for each page after that. The fax machines only accept credit cards for payment (not cash). You can check the status of your fax online after sending it.

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.

Today’s events

Kids Gardening: Exploring Herbs (Preschool)

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:15am

Southwest Regional Library (Southwest Meeting Room - Full Room)

Herbs smell great, taste delicious, and are perfect for learning about gardening! We'll use our senses to learn about different types of herbs and how to use them, plus participants can choose a cutting to grow at home!...

Ages: Kindergarten, Pre-School

Registration full.

Durham Book Club - For Middle School Students

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Southwest Regional Library (Southwest Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Join us for an in-person book club for middle school students. We will be reading and discussing Booked by Kwame Alexander. Pick up a free copy of the book at the Southwest Children's Desk for you to keep! Limited...

Ages: Middle School

Registration required

Kids Gardening: Exploring Herbs (Ages 6-11)

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 • 4:30pm - 5:15pm

Southwest Regional Library (Southwest Meeting Room - Full Room)

Herbs smell great, taste delicious, and are perfect for learning about gardening! We'll use our senses to learn about different types of herbs and how to use them, plus participants can choose a cutting to grow at home!...

Ages: Elementary School, Intergenerational, Kindergarten, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds

Registration required

Whale Scavenger Hunt! @ Southwest

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 • All day

Southwest Regional Library (Southwest Regional - Children's Area)

Ready for an ocean of fun? Come to Southwest and track down all the pictures of whales hidden in the children's section! 

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

Check for more events like this > or See all events

Special features at Southwest Regional Library

Neurodiverse and sensory processing equipment

Includes a bubble wall, fiber optics, weighted lap pads, dark glasses, and more. Available at the children's desk.

Library garden

Yields programming vegetables and awesome flowers. Run by staff from Children’s Services.

Colorful paintings with animals and landscapes hang in a line along a wall

Rotating art installation

Art selected by the Library Art Committee, frequently showcasing local photographers and artists.

Manager

R. Link

Email: rlink@dconc.gov

A native New Yorker, Ruth decided to become a librarian after driving a bookmobile around Vermont on the Canadian border. She earned her master’s in library science from UNC Chapel Hill. Her absolute favorite book is The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater.

Pronouns: she/her

A mother and two small children walk toward the entrance of Southwest Regional Library
A shelf full of graphic novels
A child reads a book to a visiting therapy dog as an adult looks on
A board full of colorful drawing, paintings, and other arts and crafts
Children play at a train table as a women reads to another child
A wall with cutouts of Clifford, Arthur, and other children's book characters
A large space with twinkly lights, color alphabet letters scattered on the wall, shelves of books, and tables and chairs. A man and two small children sit at one of the tables looking at a book
A librarian and several children hold up origami cranes
Tables with computers and shelves of book, with a sign saying Teens overhead
Colorful paintings with animals and landscapes hang in a line along a wall. A person walks along a corridor alongside
Bookshelves with sign saying "¡Bienvenidos! Materiales en Españoll / Spanish Books" overhead
Brightly lit alcove with a sign overhead saying "Magazines & Newspapers", shelves of magazines along the side, and a wall of windows in the back. There are two round tables in the center with a person sitting at one working on a laptop
Two people use laptops at a table surrounded by bookshelves
A person sits at a small table with tall chairs, with more chairs at a counter nearby, and looks at a stack of papers
Two people holding pencils look together at a document. They're sitting at a large table in a room with a glass wall, with bookshelves outside
Counter with two screens in an alcove labeled "check out"
A group of people line dancing