Category Archives: Featured

Library Renewal Project Updates

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Update June 5, 2023

The Library will be CLOSED Wednesday June 7 through Saturday June 10 for carpet installation. We apologize for the inconvenience. We expect to reopen on Monday, June 12 at 9:00 a.m.

Our Digital Collections Are Available 24/7.

Update May 25, 2023

We expect to be open our regular hours between May 25 and June 3. We will be closed on Memorial Day. As work on the bathrooms will be ongoing during this time, please take care to avoid the work in progress. You may find a quieter browsing experience between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., after workers have gone for the day. During this time, the lower level bathroom will be the only public restroom available.

The adult collection is available for browsing, the Children’s Department is open and computers, copier, and printer are available downstairs.

And Check Out Our Digital Materials!

Update May, 23, 2023

The Library will be open from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 23. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We will open at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday May 24.

Update May 17, 2023

On Monday May 22 and Tuesday May 23, the Library will be open from 3:30 – 8:00 p.m. We will be closed in the mornings for plumbing and electrical work.

We expect to be open our regular hours Wednesday – Saturday. As work on the bathrooms will be ongoing during this time, please take care to avoid the work in progress. You may find a quieter browsing experience between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., after workers have gone for the day. During this time, the lower level bathroom will be the only public restroom available.

Update May 3, 2023

Painting is substantially complete! We are anticipating some electrical work between May 8 – 12, but the library should be much quieter than it has been the past several weeks. Come by and stock up before the next phase of construction (new bathrooms!) begins on May 15.

The adult collection is available for browsing, the Children’s Department is open and computers, copier, and printer are available downstairs.

And Check Out Our Digital Materials!

Update May 1, 2023

Painting and electrical work will be in progress the week of May 1. The adult collection is available for browsing; however, you may find a quieter browsing experience between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., after painters have gone for the day. Please be aware of wet paint signs!

The Children’s Department is open and computers, copier, and printer are available downstairs.

And Check Out Our Digital Materials!

Update April 27, 2023

No work is being done on Thursday April 27 or Saturday April 29 — come on over and stock up on books and DVDs while it is quiet!

Painting will be in progress Friday April 28 and the week of May 1.

The adult collection is available for browsing; however, you may find a quieter browsing experience between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., after painters have gone for the day. Please be aware of wet paint signs!

The Children’s Department is open and computers, copier, and printer are available downstairs.

Update April 25, 2023

The adult collection is available for browsing; however, you may find a quieter browsing experience between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., after painters have gone for the day. Please be aware of wet paint signs!

The Children’s Department is open and computers, copier, and printer are available downstairs.

Update April 24, 2023

The Adult Collection is not available for browsing today while painting is in progress. If you are looking for a particular title, please let us know and we can pull it for you and let you know when it is available to pick up. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The Children’s Department is open and computers, copier, and printer are available downstairs.

Update April 20, 2023

Painting is in progress! The library is open during this process. Our adult fiction collection is available for browsing; however, you may find a quieter browsing experience between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., after painters have gone for the day.

The Children’s Room is open as usual; some young adult materials have been moved there as well. Please ask one of our staff if you need help finding materials.

Public computers, copier, and printing are available in the lower left meeting room.

Update: April 18, 2023

Please excuse the noise while shelving is being moved! The library is open; please check out materials in the Children’s Department.

Public computers and the copier/printer are available in the lower left meeting room. Please check in with the staff upstairs. WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE FAX SERVICE. The public may use the fax machine at Town Hall.

Update: April 17, 2023

We have begun moving materials and furniture into storage. Preparation of the walls for painting will begin this week. The library will be open during this phase of work. (Please note that no work is being done in the Children’s Department, which will be operating as usual.)

The Following Items Have Moved Temporarily

  • New Fiction, Nonfiction, Mysteries, and Large Print are available on the first shelf (where new fiction has been.) currently holding the new fiction.
  • New DVDs, Three-Day DVDs, New Audiobooks, and some of the DVD collection are located adjacent to the new fiction.
  • Children’s DVDs are located in the Children’s Department.
  • The paperback collection is located on the shelves behind the new books, where New Mysteries were previously.
  • New and popular Young Adult materials are located on the central shelf unit near the middle-grade fiction in the Children’s Department.
  • Adult biographies, adult nonfiction 001-499, some young adult materials, music CDs, magazines, and some audiobooks and DVDs will be in storage. If you are looking for a specific title, please ask a staff member.
  • Today’s newspapers are available at the circulation desk.

Update: April 2, 2023

Construction on the long-planned Library Renewal Project is set to begin in April. The project will refresh the public spaces of the Durham Public Library to best serve the current and future needs of the community. The project includes:

  • Quiet Study: Two small study rooms and updated reading areas.
  • Collaboration: Gathering space for group work, conversation, and community.
  • Technology: Upgraded public computer and “bring your own device” access.
  • Accessibility: Convenient, handicap-accessible access to the building and services.
  • Carpet, paint, and the two main floor restrooms will also be updated.

We intend to keep the Library open as much as possible during the renovation process. However, parts of the library and portions of the library collection may be unavailable as work is being done. The locations for specific services may also change.

Please check the library website or social media for updates. During construction, please bear with us and observe all posted signs for your safety.

Materials Being Moved the Week of April 3

  • New Fiction, Nonfiction, Mysteries, and Large Print will be consolidated on the shelves currently holding the new fiction.
  • New DVDs, Three-Day DVDs, New Audiobooks, and some of the DVD collection will be located where the new nonfiction is currently.
  • The paperback collection will be on the shelves behind the new books, where New Mysteries are currently.
  • New and popular Young Adult materials are located on the central shelf unit in the young adult section.

Can’t Find Something? Please Ask!

Sponsors

This library renewal project is made possible by grants and funding from the following sources:

  • State of Connecticut State Library Construction Grant for $146,957
  • Town of Durham
  • The Peach Pit Foundation
  • The Generous Donations of the Residents of Durham.

Starry Safari & Stories by Starlight

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StarLAB by Connecticut Children’s Museum in concert with the Durham Public Library presents; Starry Safari & Stories by Starlight

The planetarium uses an inflatable dome and state-of-the-art projection system to present amazing images of the night sky to the young audiences invited to the presentation. 

Tuesday, June 20th at the Durham Community Center, formerly Korn School.

Starry Safari at 2:30 pm

REGISTER HERE STARTING 6/06

Stories by Starlight at 3:45 pm or 5 pm

3:45 pm Session

REGISTER HERE STARTING 6/06

5pm Session

REGISTER HERE STARTING 6/06

Starry Safari

A special tour of creature constellations from around the world. Hear the amazing tales people told about how those animals got placed up in the night sky. Bring a constellation to life and meet a live animal from the wildlife sanctuary.

Starry Safari is most appropriate for preschoolers to 1st-grade audiences and a caregiver

Space is limited inside the inflatable planetarium dome, please consider this when registering adults.

Stories by Starlight

This program will introduce the children to the cultures and customs of early, but advanced, civilizations as they were influenced by the stars. Among the cultures to be included in the presentation, are those of Ancient Greece, Chinese, Egyptian, Native American Indian tribes, the Aztecs, the KhoiSan, and others. In each case, their stories will be told in relation to their studies and understanding of the stars.

Stories by Starlight is geared toward kids in grades 2 through 6

Space is limited inside the inflatable planetarium dome, please consider this when registering adults.

Adult Book Boxes

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Launching in July! Register now!

Get a subscription-style book box each month! 

Due to the popularity of our Teen Book Boxes, we are excited to now offer Book Boxes for Adults. Each subscription-style box will be tailored to your personal preferences and will contain 1-3 books, bookmarks, and other fun bookish items!

The first round of book boxes will go out the first week of July. Register by June 24th to receive a box!

Click here to fill out the registration form

New Service! Online Language Learning

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110+ Languages Are At Your Fingertips: Transparent Language Online Now Available

Planning a trip to Italy to celebrate your anniversary? Collaborating with your Chinese counterparts in your company’s Beijing branch? Just want to brush up that language you studied for four years in school, but somehow can’t seem to remember at all? We’ve got you covered.

We are excited to announce that we now offer Transparent Language Online free to all Durham Public Library card holders. Whether you’re starting at the very beginning with a new alphabet or you’re an intermediate learner looking to enhance your vocabulary and grammar knowledge, Transparent Language Online can help. Available for learning 110+ languages, plus English (ESL) materials for native speakers of 30+ languages, the program has something for everyone. This resource is funded by PALS: The Friends of the Durham Public Library.

Click Here to Get Started

Worried that you won’t be able to learn on your own? A customizable Learning Path allows you to choose what you want to learn, while an integrated analytics system tracks your progress, periodically prompting you to review material that you haven’t seen in a while. It’s like having a built-in teacher there to keep you on track toward your language-learning goals.

Best of all, Transparent Language Online works on any Internet-connected device, so you can learn from your laptop, phone, or tablet.

Transparent Language Online is available FREE to all Durham Public Library cardholders. Sign up today at Transparent Language Online or download the app to your mobile device and set up you account with your Durham Public Library card.

Feel free to contact us with any questions at dpl@durhamlibrary.org.

Homebound Delivery Service

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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.

Wi-Fi Hotspots

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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.

Durham Community Job Board

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Calling all local employers! In conjunction with the Economic Development Commission, the Durham Public Library is launching a new service, hosting a community job board.

The Durham Public Library will post jobs located in the town of Durham, Connecticut. No other jobs will be posted. There is no charge for posting jobs.

Submissions

  • Submit jobs via email to dpl@durhamlibrary.org.
  • Any format is acceptable, including: pasted into body of the email; an attached Word or PDF document; or a link to a posting on your website.
  • Durham Public Library reserves the right to reformat and edit listings for length.
  • Durham Public Library typically posts jobs within one to three business days. 

Revision Schedule

This page is updated every 1-3 business days as needed. Ads with deadlines are removed once the deadline has passed. Ads without deadlines remain listed for one month. The date the ad was posted to this site appears at the beginning of each listing. Please email dpl@durhamlibrary.org to remove a listing.

Please visit the job board HERE. Questions? Contact Christine Michaud at cmichaud@durhamlibrary.org.

Note for job seekers. Please check back periodically for updates.