Kids Tag Sale

Saturday 7/15 at 10 AM. Rain Date 7/29

Set up 9 AM-10 AM * Sale 10 AM-12 PM

A sale where only kids can sell, but anyone can buy! 

We are looking for sellers ages 5-18 (12 & under with a parent).

Registration for sellers opens on June 19th. Register online using the library’s calendar or call the library at 860-749-9544

Donate Your Books Today!

PALS, the Friends of the Durham Public Library, will be hosting our annual book sale on May 16 from 10 to 3 p.m. in the library basement. 

Donations are welcome in the following categories:

  • ·      Paperbacks and hardcovers in good condition (see below)
  • ·      Fiction in all genres
  • ·      Children’s books
  • ·      Nonfiction (biographies, memoirs, history, etc.)
  • ·      Cookbooks 
  • ·      Gardening books 
  • ·      Hobbyist books
  • ·      Coffee table books 

We will not accept books that

  • ·       Have mold, water damage, or damaged covers
  • ·       Are marked up by previous owners
  • ·       Have torn or missing pages
  • ·       Are older than 2006 (not including rare or first edition classics)
  • ·       Business, computer, economics, health, social sciences or travel books published before 2016.

You may drop off donations at the library during operating hours until April 30.

If you are interested in helping with the book sale (sorting donations, setting up, staffing the sale and cleaning up after), please contact Kristan Higgins at kristanhigginsbooks@gmail.com. And if you’re interested in becoming a member of PALS, we’d love to have you! Please contact us at PALSdurhamlibrary@gmail.com to get in touch. We meet the third Wednesday of the month.

Share Your Library Joy!

Help us celebrate National Library Week in April! We’re collecting stories of library joy now to share in April – and want to hear from you!!

National Library Week is April 19 -25, 2026. This year’s theme is “Find Your Joy!” – all about finding joy at the library! We want to share library joy with our community and want to hear from you! Please tell us a time that you experienced library joy – whether it’s a book you found, a program you attended, a library worker who helped you, or some other experience that meant a lot to you. We will be selecting a few entries to share on social media.

Please submit your library joy by Friday, April 3, 2026.

Click here to submit your library joy!

Padawan Training with Jedi Masters of the Kessel Temple



New Resource: Newsbank

Newsbank offers access to news and information from reliable news sources spanning the U.S., including the Hartford Courant, the Town Times, USA Today, Boston Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, and thousands more.

This resource is available to Durham Public Library cardholders 24/7 on any device, in addition to being available to all patrons at the Durham Public Library.

Click here to check out all that’s available with Newsbank!

You can also find Newsbank under the Digital Resources tab on our website.

We’re hiring!

Position:

  • Library Page/Shelver
  • 7.5 hours per week /$16.35 per hour

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Applicable library experience

Required Competencies:

  • Ability to read, write, and alphabetize
  • Ability to learn the Dewey Decimal system and other library filing systems
  • Familiarity with office computer applications
  • Ability to communicate effectively with staff and patrons.
  • Attention to detail

Essential Functions:

  • Returns items to shelf accurately
  • Assists with maintaining order of collection
  • Assists with creating displays
  • Assists with preparations for library programs
  • Assists with maintaining order and cleanliness of library
  • In addition to essential functions, all employees are expected to carry out other duties as assigned

To apply please complete the online application form (see below) and email it to Lauren Redfield, Library Director, at lredfield@207.210.128.11. Deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 30.

Check out our new library app!

We are thrilled to announce we now have an app for the Durham Public Library!

What’s in the app?

  • A digital version of your library card –
    • Got your phone? Then you’ve got your library card with you!
  • Access to family library cards –
    • You can attach your family members’ cards to your account, so you always have them with you!
  • Access to all of your account information –
    • See what you have checked out, what you have on hold, pay fines
  • Scroll upcoming events and register for them easily
  • Find information on how to reach and contact other LION libraries
  • And more!

To download the app, search “libraries online” in the Apple or Android app stores. You will then be prompted to select your library and enter your library card information.

Apple app store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/libraries-online/id6739070221

Android app store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.capiratech.leo&hl=en_US

Summer Reading – For All Ages!


PRE-K GAMEBOARDS

(ALL KIDS NOT ENTERING KINDERGARTEN IN 2025)

To register, pick up your game board at the Durham Public Library’s Summer Reading Desk or print below

To play, complete all the fun summer reading activities on it.

To get a prize, return your game board to the library for your prize. Prizes must be claimed on or before August 30th.


READ & BEAD (K-5)

To register, simply visit the library’s Summer Reading Desk and grab a Summer Read & Bead Activity Log along with your Read & Bead chain and your first brag tag. If you can’t make it to the library right away, you can print your log at home and backdate any activities with your caregiver’s approval.

Here’s how to play:

  • Read or complete any other activities listed in your log each day
  • Color in the day to mark your progress
  • There’s no timing or counting necessary; just have fun and enjoy the program
  • Bring your log to the Summer Reading Desk and collect the beads you’ve earned
  • Trade in your beads for more exciting shapes and colors

Remember, you must bring your log with you to the library to collect your beads. If you’re exchanging beads to level up, please bring them with you.

To finish the program, simply turn in your log by August 30th and receive a small surprise. And don’t forget, all beads earned are yours to keep.


BINGO BOARDS (TEENS GR 6+)

Starting June 13th, stop by and grab your Teen BINGO Card.

Complete any of the activities on the board. 

Cross off what you’ve done.  Aim for three in a row. 

Return your card for a small prize and a chance at a special raffle prize. All cards must be returned by 8/30.

Finished a card? Play as many times as you’d like until 8/9.


BINGO BOARDS (ADULTS)

Pick up a Summer Reading BINGO Card and complete 5 activities in a row. Turn your card in for a chance at a bi-weekly raffle prize.

Play as many times as you’d like until 8/19.

New Kids Database: Educate Station

Full Curriculum For Grades K-5 .

Explore this resource here:

Weekly / Monthly Learning Plans & Worksheets in;
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
• MATH
• SCIENCE
• SOCIAL STUDIES
• SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)

Great for homeschooling families, extra practice for kids and parents , and substitute teacher lesson plans.


Free access to lesson plans and printable worksheets inside the library ( no card or account needed) and with your Durham library card from home.