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.

The North Carolina Collection

Shelves of very old books on North Carolina topics

Located on the 3rd floor of Main Library:
300 N. Roxboro Street
Durham, NC 27701

919-560-0171

This week’s hours

Sorry, we're closed right now
Sunday Closed Monday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The North Carolina Collection preserves and makes available materials related to the history of Durham city and county. The Collection also offers a wealth of materials for people interested in researching North Carolina-related topics.

You can contribute to the collection by donating Durham history-related materials. Contact staff for more information.

Did you know?

At the North Carolina Collection, you can:

  • Browse all issues of the Durham Herald Sun on microfilm
  • View old yearbooks from Durham schools
  • Build your family tree using genealogy resources

…and more.

More about the North Carolina Collection

Staff

Head of the North Carolina Collection, Lauren Panny

Lauren Panny

Head of the North Carolina Collection

Email: lpanny@dconc.gov

Lauren completed her Masters in Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh and studied archives and special collections. She is a certified archivist and has worked in several university special collections libraries before coming to Durham County Library in 2017. Lauren loves hiking, camping, biking, yoga, and spending time with her dog and cat.

Pronouns: she/her

Barbara by a river in a hat and life jacket

Barbara Ilie

North Carolina Collection Librarian

Email: bilie@dconc.gov

Barbara attended library school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked there in special collections for over a decade before joining Durham County Library in 2017. She enjoys connecting people with primary source material, facilitating collection growth, and the opportunity to promote and work with North Carolina and local history resources every day. She lives in Chapel Hill with her husband, son, and green-cheeked conure. Her interests include volunteering at Horse & Buddy in New Hill, exploring the Mountain and Piedmont regions of North Carolina, and making simple and delicious food.

Pronouns: she/her

Stephanie Barnwell

North Carolina Collection Relief Librarian

Email: sbarnwell@dconc.gov

Stephanie came to love libraries and archives way back in middle school through projects for National History Day. Since then, she has earned degrees in library science and public history and worked with archival collections and digital humanities projects at academic libraries across the Triangle before landing at Durham County Library. Outside of work, she volunteers with the Triangle Weavers Guild and Chapel-Hill Durham Parents of Multiples. She enjoys sewing, weaving, good books, and good food. She also loves to travel; recent favorites include Iceland and Spain, but she also has a soft spot for the mountains of NC.

Pronouns: she/her

Heidi Dodson

Heidi Dodson

North Carolina Collection Relief Librarian

Email: hdodson@dconc.gov

Heidi first became interested in archives and history as a teenager when she researched her family history. She has a master’s in library and information science from the University of Texas-Austin and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Illinois. She worked as an archivist and librarian at the Amistad Research Center and the University of Virginia before returning to graduate school. She moved to North Carolina to write her dissertation and worked as an oral historian at the Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving & Making History in Chapel Hill. After leaving the Triangle for postdocs, she decided to move back and make North Carolina her permanent home. She loves hiking, camping, traveling, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with her family, including a new puppy named Luna.

Pronouns: she/her

Beth Morris Weiss

Beth Morris Weiss

North Carolina Collection Relief Librarian

Email: eweiss@dconc.gov

Beth Morris Weiss has a degree in library science in archives and records management from the University of North Carolina. Prior to working as a librarian, Beth worked as grant manager and museum educator at the Museum of Life and Science, researched exhibits for the Museum of Durham History, and managed data for the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice. Beth enjoys spending time with her husband and their two teenagers, creating photo collages, and taking dance breaks.

Pronouns: she/her

Emma Parker

North Carolina Collection Relief Librarian

Email: emmaparker@dconc.gov

Emma holds degrees in Folklore and Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before joining the North Carolina Collection, she worked at the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and for an oral history nonprofit. Emma enjoys learning as much as she can about North Carolina and Durham County history. When not at the library, she can be found baking bread, starting (but only rarely finishing) sewing projects, swimming, visiting roadside attractions, or hiking at Eno River State Park.

Pronouns: she/her