Author Archives: Christine Michaud

The Poison Squad

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Now meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss The Poison Squad: One Chemist’s Single-Minded Crusade for Food Safety at the Turn of the 20th Century by Deborah Blum. Copies of the book will be available at the checkout desk beginning August 1. This book discussion is open to all and registration is required. You will receive a link to the zoom meeting by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept 21. Register here.

Thursday July 29 at 7 PM

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Do you want to understand and take action on the social, economic and political issues we face today? If so, please join the Durham Public Library and the Middlefield-Durham Racial Justice Team for a film discussion facilitated by the Middlefield-Durham Racial Justice Team.

On July 29, Join us to watch and discuss “A Conversation with the Police,” episode 9 of Emmanel Acho’s web series “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” Emmanuel sits down with police officers from the Petaluma Police Department in Petaluma, CA. They discuss polarizing topics like defunding the police, Black Lives Matter, and accountability in the police force surrounding the tragic deaths of black civilians.

Emmnual Acho is a retired NFL player and current television sports analyst who created the “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” web series to answer challenging questions about race that white people are afraid to ask.

Discussion will take place via Zoom. This program is open to all and registration is required. A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent to registered participants no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Click here to register.

New Service – Portable DVD Players

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On Vacation or a Long Car Trip? Take out one of our portable DVD players and keep the family entertained!

Loans and Holds

DVD players are available on a first come, first served basis. They cannot be reserved in advance. Checkouts are limited to one player per household at any given time. Players may be checked out for one week and cannot be renewed.

DVD players must be picked up and returned at the Durham Public Library circulation desk. Please do not return the player to another library or place it in the book drops.

Loss or Damage

Overdue fines of $5 per day, to a maximum of $20, will be charged for late DVD players.

DVD players that are two weeks or more overdue are considered lost. Patrons will be charged an $80.00 replacement fee if the hotspot is lost or damaged.

Patrons will be charged a replacement fee not to exceed $20 if a charging block or case is lost or damaged.

You Can Help the Library Continue to Grow!

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The Durham Public Library is the busy hub of the community, going beyond its mission of “Growing Knowledge and Community.” Now it is time to ask you to help fund the updating of the Library to meet changing technology and public use. This will benefit users of the Library like you, other patrons, and the public at large.

Because you value the Library and the services it provides to our community, would you please consider a gift to PALS to support these efforts? Please Make a Tax Deductible Donation to PALS Today and Help the Library Continue to Thrive! Yes! I would like to make a tax-deductible gift to PALS. Select one of the donation amounts below to make a secure online donation through PayPal (you do not need to have a PayPal account).

$500 Donation $250 Donation $100 Donation $50 Donation Other Donation

If you prefer to donate by check or money order, please forward your contribution of any amount to:  PALS, ATTN Library Renewal, P.O. Box 271, Durham, CT 06422

Our Plan

  • Quiet Study: Two small study rooms and updated reading areas.
  • Collaboration: Gathering space for group work, conversation, and community.
  • Technology: Upgraded public computers and “bring your own device” access.
  • Accessibility: Convenient, handicap-accessible access to the building and services.

Learn More

Thank you for your support!

Spanish Conversation Group

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Join us for weekly Spanish! Expand your speaking skills by practicing the language in a welcoming atmosphere. This event, hosted by fluent Spanish speaker Marilyn Horn, meets each Friday on Zoom. New participants always welcome – please email Kim McNally at kmcnally@durhamlibrary.org for information. No meeting on December 25.

Service Update – March 1, 2022

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LIBRARY HOURS: Monday thru Thursday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

MASK REQUIREMENTS: Masks are requested, but not required in the library.

Current Procedures

Meeting Rooms: Currently, only the Durham Conference Center (lower level left) is available for community use. Room capacity is limited to 30 persons. To request use of a Library meeting room, please fill out the online Meeting Room Reservation form. Meeting room availability is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation from the Library.

Social Distancing: Please maintain a 6-foot distance from other patrons while in the library. While browsing the library shelves, we ask that only one patron (or family group) be in any aisle section at a time. 

Curbside Pickup: If you would prefer curbside pickup, please call the library to request it when your holds are available. We will arrange a time to pick up materials in front of the Library.  

Public Computers:   Four computers will be available for patron use and spaced apart for social distancing. Computer use is first come, first served and last 60 minutes. Due to social distancing guidelines, staff are not available to directly assist patrons using the computers. Terminals and equipment will be cleaned between uses.

Public wifi may be accessed from the parking lot or in the building. Wifi sessions inside the building are limited to 30 minutes. We also have wifi hotspots available for checkout. Click here for more info.

The following services will continue to be available:

We will continue to offer a wide array of digital resources, including books, audiobooks, music, streaming movies and television, digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines, and streaming arts and crafts classes at durhamlibrary.org/digital-resources/.

We are offering a variety of programs in a mix of formats, including in-person, online using the Zoom platform, and pick-up kits. Please check our calendar for dates and registration details.

Please ask us if you have any questions. We will update everyone should the situation change. Please check the library website and follow us on social media for updates. In the meantime, please stay healthy and safe!

Christine Michaud, Library Director, and the Staff of the Durham Public Library.

Information Resources on COVID-19

Town of Durham COVID-19 Information
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Resources for Talking with Children about COVID-19

Exploring Dog DNA

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Dog owners are becoming increasingly interested in the genetic make-up of their furry family members. As the popularity of Canine DNA testing grows and the trend of “Breed Reveal Parties” takes hold, the need for a general understanding of dog evolution and genetics grows. In order for owners to fully understand how their small mixed breed dog could possibly have German Shepherd in its DNA,a basic understanding of canine genetics is useful. This program, hosted by the CT Humane Society, will provide the skills needed to identify dog breeds based on their phenotypic characteristics, give background information in canine evolution, and provide a basic understanding of canine genetics. Test your knowledge of different dog breeds and learn how genetics contribute to pet health.

This is a Zoom program. Please register here and a link will be sent by 3 PM on the day of the program.

Wednesday June 16 7 PM. 

Modern Calligraphy

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Come learn the popular and playful Modern Calligraphy! Connecticut calligrapher, Debby Reelitz, will teach where this style comes from, strategies on how to create this lettering style and projects to use the skills you have learned. Paper and brush pen will be provided by the library. Register anytime then pick up your materials the week of April 5th. Class and instruction takes place over Zoom.  Registration required. A link to the zoom meeting will be sent to all registrants prior to our class. This program is generously supported by P.A.L.S. Please register here.

Thursday April 8 7 – 8:30 PM. 

French Conversation Group

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Calling all French speakers! Expand your speaking skills by practicing the language in a welcoming atmosphere. Open to all levels of speakers. Facilitated by native French speaker Simone Howe. Meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month on Zoom. Regular participants will receive a link to the Zoom meeting. If this is your first time please email lredfield@durhamlibrary.org to receive the Zoom link for the online meeting. See you there!

Next meeting Thursday, August 5 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.