Today we are launching a new logo, part of an updated visual identity for the Durham Public Library. You will see the new logo on our website, social media, and printed materials.

I’m sure many people are asking, “Why? We liked the old one!”

We didn’t change the logo just for the sake of change. We are continually evolving to meet the needs of our community and a simpler, more colorful logo does a better job of communicating what the library is now, in 2019. The Durham Public Library logo has been updated several times over the last 120 years, to keep up with changes in services or technology. Our most recent logo was developed in the 1990s and incorporates several elements from earlier logos, including the original library building, trees, and the arched window that is a large part of the library’s architectural identity. While the logo is very charming, the intricate pencil drawing is hard to reproduce and was not designed with today’s digital media in mind.

Library Logos Through the Years

The new logo is an evolution from the previous logos, rather than a completely new design. We kept the arched shape of the palladian window which is a hallmark of our building and we incorporated a modern, stylized tree, symbolizing both the Library’s roots in the community and our mission to help all Durham’s citizens to read, discover, and grow. We stayed true to our “Durham Green” but in a brighter, more modern palette.

We hope you like the new look and feel for the Durham Public Library.  We look forward to seeing you in the Library soon, where you will see that one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to warm and welcoming public service.

The new logo and brand identity was designed by Rebel Interactive Group and funded by a grant from CT Humanities.

Connecticut Humanities, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, supports cultural and historic organizations that tell the state’s stories, build community and enrich lives.

Starting on August 12, 2019, the Durham Public Library will be offering two new features: automatic renewals and a “Lucky Day” Collection.

Automatic Renewals

Almost all Durham Public Library materials will renew twice automatically, unless the book is on hold for another patron.

1. Items will be renewed from their original due date and will renew for the original loan period. For example, books renew for an additional 21 days and DVDs renew for an additional 7 days.
2. Items will be automatically renewed up to two times.
3. Lucky Day books (see below) and Express DVDs have no renewals and will not be automatically renewed.
4. Items will only renew if the item is not on hold for another patron.
5. If your item is automatically renewed you will receive an email from us with your new due date.
6. If your item is NOT automatically renewed you will still receive an email from us letting you know that the item is due back soon.
7. Not all LION libraries have automatic renewals. If you have borrowed an item from another LION library, even if you checked it out in Durham, it may not be automatically renewed.

Lucky Day Collection

Tired of long waits for the newest bestseller? Today might be your lucky day! Durham’s new Lucky Day collection consists of additional copies of new and popular titles.

Here’s a few things to know:

1. Lucky Day books circulate for 21 days, but there are no holds and no renewals.
2. The Lucky Day collection is located at the beginning of the New Book Display.
3. Books are marked with a label indicating they are part of the Lucky Day collection.

• All Lucky Day titles are also available in the regular collection and those can be reserved or renewed if there are no holds on the title.

Questions? Give us a call at (860) 349-9544.

• • You may place a hold on binoculars, but you must pick them up and return them to Durham Public Library.
  • Binoculars may be borrowed for one week.
  • Binoculars may be renewed up to two times if no other patron is waiting.
  • A fee of $1 per day will be charged for each day the binoculars are overdue.
• Fees will be assessed in the case of loss, damage or theft (up to $200).
• Patrons must have a Connecticut library card with their account in good standing(not blocked by fines of $25 or more.)
• Patron accepts full financial liability for the binoculars and agrees to pay all costs associated with the damage to, loss of, or theft of the binoculars (up to $200).
• Patron agrees to inform library staff regarding any issues with items (broken or lost pieces, cosmetic damage, etc.).

The Durham Public Library is pleased to announce that they have received a generous donation which has been used for the purchase new furniture, shelving, and preschool playthings in the Children’s Department.

Charles Cumello of Durham, who is President and CEO of Essex Financial, has been a longtime supporter of library programming for children and teens and this recent donation has allowed the Library to improve the function and appearance of the Children’s Room. Display shelving has been added to the ends of shelves to increase the space to display books, and the learning table in the toddler area has been replaced by a child-sized table and chairs. Lastly, the Library was able to purchase educational toys for the toddler play area. Library Director Christine Michaud states, “This donation has allowed us to make updates to the Children’s Department that will engage readers and encourage active learning.”

“The library appreciates the generosity of this gift and recognizes the impact it will have over the long term,” Michaud stated. “We want the Children’s Room to be a cheerful, interactive space for kids to explore and discover new ideas and stories. Gifts like this one are enormously helpful as we work to promote literacy and literature and strengthen our community.”

Summer reading is in full swing! A current schedule of programs at the Durham Public Library can be found on the Library website: https://durhamlibrary.org/.

Do you want to get a better look at the stars at night? You can! The Astronomical Society of New Haven has graciously made available a telescope for patrons to check out from Durham Public Library. The Orion StarBlast 4.5” Reflector Telescope is available to all ages for 1 week at a time. All you need to take the telescope home is a CT library card in good standing. Learn more about our telescope here.

Our new online Print-on-Demand museum pass program makes visiting local museums and attractions easier than ever! Most of our passes are available as print-on-demand, which means that you are able to print out the museum pass from home. These passes do not need to be returned to the Library.

• Passes may be borrowed by an adult with a valid library card.
• Some passes permit free admission, while others offer discounted admission.
• Passes may be reserved online up to 30 days before your planned museum visit.
• Physical museum passes must be picked up and returned at the Durham Public Library circulation desk. Passes may be picked up one day ahead of your planned museum visit and must be returned no later than closing time the day following your visit.
• Print-on-Demand passes can be printed from home. They do not need to be picked up or returned to the library!

The following passes cannot be printed, but can be reserved online and picked up at the Library: the Connecticut State Park Pass, the Mystic Aquarium, and the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium. Coupons for the Connecticut Science Center must be picked up at the Library but do not need to be returned.

Click Here to Reserve a Museum Pass

Please note: Prices and hours are set by museums and are subject to change. Some museums close for special events. Consulting the museum website or calling museum to confirm hours is recommended.

All museum passes have been donated as gifts to the community by PALS: The Friends of the Durham Public Library.

5:30 PM

Join us to learn chess with CJ Gregory, Master Instructor, National Champion, and Captain of the 2005 State Champions of Chess. For kids ages 7 and up!

Registration begins January 2nd, 2019. You are registering for all 4 sessions

Space is limited to 16. Register online.

This Chess Program is funded in part through a grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County 365 Fund.

Meets: 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/25.

Do you have boxes of old photographs lying around? Have you ever wanted to preserve them for the future or share them online? The library can help. We have a Canoscan 9000F Marc II flatbed scanner available for public use. The following materials can be scanned and converted to .jpg images.

• Photo prints (including Polaroids)
• 35mm and 110 photo negatives
• 35mm, 110, 126 and 127 slides

The scanner is available by appointment only. There is no fee to use the equipment, but you must bring a USB flash drive (thumb drive) to save your photos to. If you do not have a thumb drive you may purchase one at the library. We estimate that between 100 and 200 images can be scanned in a one hour appointment, so bring your best shots.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, call Christine at 860-349-9544 ext. 4.

We can help!

Click on one of the links below and tell us a little bit about what you like (and hate!) to read. We’ll email you a list of five books chosen just for you.

Children (Grades 1-6): http://goo.gl/forms/In9QHjzBoJ

Teens (Grades 7-12): http://goo.gl/forms/fM7yGG2TJu

Adults: http://goo.gl/forms/n68mgiJ48f