The Library will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14 in observance of Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We will re-open on Tuesday, Oct. 15th at 9 am.
Hours
Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday, & Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday, & Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
The Library will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14 in observance of Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We will re-open on Tuesday, Oct. 15th at 9 am.
The Durham Public Library provides books and other materials for residents of Durham who are physically unable to visit the library because of a temporary or permanent disability.
How to apply: Applicants should complete the Durham Public Library Homebound Delivery Application and a reading interest form. Click here to complete the form online or call us at (860) 349-9544, ext. 5 to request a physical form.
How is delivery arranged? Materials will be delivered by a library representative on a schedule convenient for the library, but no more than once per month. When we receive your enrollment form, we will contact you to discuss delivery.
What are the borrowing guidelines? Any circulating item may be borrowed by our homebound patrons, with a limit of 25 items per delivery. There is no fee for the delivery service and overdue fees will not be charged. The Library’s standard fee schedule shall apply for damaged or lost items.
For more information: Please contact Christine Michaud at (860) 349-9544, ext. 5 or cmichaud@durhamlibrary.org if you have questions about this service.
The Library will be closed on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Sept. 26 – 28 for the Durham Fair. We will re-open on Monday, Sept. 30 at 9:00 a.m. The book drops will also be closed.
Looking for a place to meet? The Library has two study rooms for 1-4 people for the purpose of quiet study and discussion.
Please note that the rooms are not soundproof — please keep conversation to a low volume. Noise-reducing headphones may be borrowed at the circulation desk.
Submitting a reservation indicates acceptance of the Library’s Room Reservation Policies.
In addition to the study rooms, the Study Zone also includes a “laptop bar” and comfortable seating with device charging and flip up tablet desks. Just plug your device in and get to work. This area is past the circulation desk, where DVDs were previously.
In order to expand Internet access to Durham residents, the Library has established a Wi-Fi hotspot lending program. The hotspots are provided by T-Mobile and funded by a gift from Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and PALS: The Friends of the Durham Public Library.
No internet at home? Borrow ours for: school projects and papers, job searching online, and connecting your tablet or laptop.
On a long car trip? Have the kids in the backseat streaming movies, music or other online content.
On Vacation? Road trip, camping, or grandmas house with no internet? Bring it with you!
Loans and Holds
Hotspots are available to Durham Public Library card holders ages 18 and up with fines of less than $10.00. Patrons must present their valid Durham Public Library card at the time of checkout.
Checkouts are limited to one hotspot per household at any given time. Hotspots may be checked out for one week and cannot be renewed.
Hotspots may be reserved by placing a hold online or by calling the library. Devices will be held for two days. If the device is not picked up by the end of the second day, the hold will be cancelled and the device will move to the next person in line.
At the time of checkout, patrons must sign a Hotspot Use Agreement, acknowledging the Library’s Hotspot Use Policy.
The Library reserves the right to refuse lending to patrons who abuse equipment or who repeatedly return Hotspots late.
Hotspots must be picked up and returned at the Durham Public Library circulation desk. Hotspots must never be returned to another library or placed in the book drops.
Hotspot Use
Patrons are responsible for the proper care and use of the Wi-Fi hotspot. We recommend that patrons have a basic working knowledge of the device on checkout. If you encounter any technical problems, contact Library Director Christine Michaud at cmichaud@durhamlibrary.org or 860-349-9544, ext. 5.
The Library is not responsible for any liability, damages, or expense resulting from use or misuse of the hotspot and its connection to other electronic devices, or data loss resulting from use of the Hotspot. Any use of the device for illegal purposes, unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material in any format, or transmission of threatening, harassing, defamatory or obscene materials is strictly prohibited.
Wi-Fi service will be turned off if the hotspot is more than two days overdue, rendering the device unusable.
Loss or Damage
Overdue fines of $5 per day, to a maximum of $20, will be charged for late hotspots.
Hotspots that are two weeks or more overdue are considered lost. Patrons will be charged a $100.00 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.
The library will be closed Saturday August 31st and Monday September 2nd for Labor Day Weekend. We will reopen at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3rd.
Effective August 1, 2024, the Durham Public Library will cease charging late fees on most library materials, joining with public libraries across the country in a movement to reduce barriers to library access.
What does this mean for borrowers?
Questions? Learn more about why we’ve decided to go fine free here or call or email us for more info.
Click here for a full list of Loan Periods, Renewal, and Fees
The Library will be closed on Thursday July 4th in observance of Independence Day. We will reopen on Friday, July 5, at 10:00 AM.
Planning a trip? The Durham Public Library is pleased to announce that it has recently added AtoZ World Travel to its online reference offerings. This new library resource includes 202 world city travel guides covering 67 topics each. The travel guides cover a multitude of topics that are of interest to those planning their international travel. Topics include pre-trip planning, points of interest, excursions, neighborhoods, restaurants, nightlife, as well as health and safety.
Anyone can access AtoZ World Travel using the library’s computers, and Durham patrons can access it from anywhere in the world from the library’s portal at www.durhamlibrary.org or directly at AtoZ World Travel with their library card.
AtoZ World Travel was designed for world travelers, schools and universities, global businesses, and anyone who wants to prepare for their trip abroad.
Try our Periodical Reading Room!
The the original library room has now been set up for silent reading or working. Comfortable chairs invite you to sit down and spend some quiet time with a book, or with the newspapers and magazines which are now located in this space.
Absolutely no conversation or phone calls allowed in this space.
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