Library Renewal Project Updates

Update July 20, 2023

The fax machine is once again operational and available to the public.

Travel books and state statutes are now located in the study area past the circulation desk. Biographies have shifted and immediately follow the adult nonfiction.

Update July 3, 2023

Come explore our new spaces! While there is still finish work to be done, most of the major pieces of the Library Renewal project are in place.

Study Zone: The two small study rooms are available for use and the “laptop bar” and comfortable seating with device charging and flip up workspaces are ready to go. Just plug your device in and get to work. This area is past the circulation desk, where DVDs were previously.

Collaboration Zone/Teen Space: Meet your friends to work together or chat in our new comfy seating area.

Public computers and copier. There are six desktop computers available for use. There are three pairs of computers spread out in the main library.

Library Materials

All library materials are out of storage and available for checkout. Please be aware of new materials locations:

Adult media, including DVDs, books on CD, and music CDs are located in the rear stack area, where periodicals and new nonfiction were previously. Children’s DVDs are now located in the Children’s department.

New adult fiction and nonfiction is located immediately in front of the circulation desk.

Adult fiction has shifted, but is still located in the stacks across from the circulation desk. Paperbacks follow the hardcover fiction. Mysteries and large print have not moved and science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, and gentle reads are on the far wall, where biographies were previously.

Adult nonfiction is in the rear stacks, where they were previously. Travel books, state statutes, and biographies immediately follow the nonfiction.

Young adult materials are located in the Teen Space.

Still To Come

  • Online study room and meeting room reservations
  • Silent Reading Room in Old Library
  • Periodical shelving
  • Coffee and tea for purchase
  • Trim and finish work

Update June 21, 2023

New furniture is being installed today throughout the main part of the library. Please excuse the mess!

Wondering where your favorite books are now?

Adult fiction has shifted, but is still in the stacks immediately across from the circulation desk. Paperback fiction follows the hardcover fiction. Mysteries and large print have not moved and science fiction/fantasy, graphic novels, and gentle reads are on the far wall, where the biographies were previously.

Adult books on CD, DVDs, and music CDs are in back reading area where periodicals were previously.

Adult nonfiction begins in the same place it did previously. Travel, state statutes, and biographies follow the nonfiction.

We are still moving some materials, so please ask if you can’t find something.

Update June 16, 2023

Our books are back! The young adult collection, nonfiction, biographies, and other materials have returned from storage and are available for checkout. Many items are in new locations, so please ask if you can’t find something.

Update June 12, 2023

We expect to be open our regular hours between June 12 and 17. During this time, our new study rooms are being installed and we will begin to re-install shelving and materials in their new locations. We expect the library to be noisy during construction. You may find a quieter browsing experience between 4:00 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 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.