Summer Reading begins 6/17/2024. Find out More HERE.
If you have any questions or comments please reach out to Alex Klaus at aklaus@durhamlibrary.org or call us at 860-349-9544
Read & Bead Scavenger Hunt
6/1-6/29
Open to close
Get ready to Read & Bead. Find all the bead images hidden in the Children’s Department during June. Turn in your completed sheet for a small surprise at the checkout desk. Play as many times as you’d like all month long. Open to all ages with an adult.
Adopt and Reading Buddy
6/12-6/22
10 AM to close
Drop by the library anytime between 10 am and close from June 12th to June 22nd to adopt a small stuffed animal as your Summer Reading Buddy. Pick your buddy, fill out the adoption paper, and take your new friend home with you. (Psst! Summer Reading Buddies love to be read to!) Don’t forget to grab your Summer Activity Log while you’re here. Supplies are limited, so it’s first come, first served. Open to children of all ages with an adult.
The library will be closed on June 19th for Juneteenth.
Science Heroes: “Adventure of the Lost Treasure”
Thursday 6/27/2024
6pm
Join us on a treasure-hunting adventure deep within the jungle! The audience helps the performer act out the tale, as we use the events in the story to explore several exciting science concepts:
- Air pressure
- Energy transfer
- Physical vs. chemical changes
- And more!
Volunteers help conduct each experiment and the whole audience gets involved in changing variables, making predictions, and comparing results! We’ll even bring some experiments out into the crowd for all to see.
Experience the fusion of science and stories with Science Heroes: “Adventure of the Lost Treasure”!
Mystic Seaport: What’s Inside A Sailor’s Chest?
Monday, July 1st
10:30 AM
Using artifacts, primary documents, and historical photographs from Mystic Seaport’s collections, a Museum educator guides students as they unpack a sailor’s sea chest. Young people use the objects in the sea chest like clues, piecing together a picture of what a sailor’s life would have been like more than 150 years ago. For families with children in Pre-K to 2nd Grade. Registration Required.
Mystic Seaport: Build A Barrel
Monday, July 1st
5:30 PM
Ahoy, young historians! Set sail on a voyage back in time with our exciting library program! Join us as we welcome a skilled cooper from the Mystic Seaport Museum for a hands-on adventure in barrel-making. Dive into the fascinating world of 19th-century maritime trade and learn the ancient craft of coopering right here in the library. Open to kids in grades 3-8, this interactive workshop promises to bring history to life in a fun and engaging way. Registration required.
Shark Scavenger Hunt
7/1-7/31
Open to close
Get ready for Shark Week. Find all the shark images and facts hidden in the Children’s Department during July. Turn in your completed sheet for a small surprise at the checkout desk. Play as many times as you’d like all month long. Open to all ages with an adult.
Drop-in 4th of July Craft
7/1-7/6 (The library will be closed 7/4 for the Fourth of July.)
10 am to close
Children of all ages with an adult are encouraged to stop in to make a fun decoration for the 4th of July! No registration is required, just drop in any time between 10 am and close. Supplies are limited, first come first serve.
Bubble Breaks
Tuesdays at 10 am
7/2, 7/16, 7/30
Outside, weather permitting, no rain dates.
Join us for Bubble Break! Fun for all ages, we gather on the front lawn (weather permitting, no rain dates). On July 2nd, make your own bubble wand; July 16th, experience GIANT bubbles; and on July 30th, create bubble snakes. Don’t forget to register for each meeting. Limited to 40 seats. Registration opens two weeks before each meeting
LEGO Robotics
Meets Wednesdays: 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31
Wednesday at 10 am for Grades 1-2
Wednesday at 2pm for Grades 3-5
On Wednesdays in July, kids in Grades 1-2 and 3-5 can build and program a simple robot using LEGO Spike Essential Robotics kits. Registration required. Registration opens 2 weeks before each session unless otherwise noted.
Grades 1-2 Wednesdays at 10 AM
Grades 3-5 Wednesdays at 2 PM
Lemonade & Crafts
Mondays at 6:30 pm
7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29
Enjoyed Cocoa & Crafts? Sign up for the summer version. Kids entering Grades 3 and up in the Fall of 2024 can join Miss Alex on Thursday evenings this summer to make crafts and share some lemonade. Registration is required for each meeting.
Science Surfers: Thursdays at 4:30 PM for Grades K-2
Meets: 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1
Kids entering Grades K-2 in the Fall of 2024 are invited to join Miss Alex for some science fun!
Registration required. Registration opens 2 weeks before each session. Participants must register for each session they’d like to attend.
Science Surfers: Thursday at 6:15 PM for Grades 3-5
Meets: 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1
Kids entering Grades 3-5 in the Fall of 2024 are invited to join Miss Alex for some science fun! Registration required. Registration opens 2 weeks before each session. Participants must register for each session they’d like to attend.
Shark Week Drop-in Crafts
7/21-7/28
Open to close
Dive into Shark Week at the library! From July 21st to July 28th, swing by anytime and dive into shark-themed crafts. No need to sign up, just drop in and get crafting! Open to all ages with an adult. Supplies are limited, first come first serve.
Mr Magic
Tuesday 6/23/24
6 pm
Join us at the Durham Public Library on July 23rd at 6 pm for an enchanting evening with Mr. Magic! Fun for the whole family, Mr. Magic will delight audiences with mind-boggling tricks, plenty of audience participation, and loads of laughter. Recommended for ages 2 and up, but all ages are welcome to experience the magic firsthand. Registration is encouraged but not required.
LEGOlympics
Friday, 7/26/24
3 pm
Get ready to unleash your inner builder and compete in the ultimate LEGO challenge – LEGOlympics! Join us for a series timed events that will put your LEGO skills to the test. From lightning-fast speed builds to creative theme challenges, LEGOlympics promises fun for everyone in first grade and up as of the fall of 2024. Let the building begin!
Kid Tag Sale
Saturday 7/27/24. Rain Date 8/3/24.
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 12th at 3pm
Please bring the following if you plan to sell:
kid’s items ONLY
- a blanket and/or table
- items marked with prices
- a parent if you are under 13 years of age
Please take home any unsold items and move your cars to the side after unloading.
Mermaid Scavenger Hunt
8/1-8/30
Open to close
Find all the mermaid images hidden in the Children’s Department during August. Turn in your completed sheet for a small surprise at the checkout desk. Play as many times as you’d like all month long. Open to all ages with an adult.
C.A.M.P. (Crafts All Month Please)
8/5-8/31
10 am to close
Come participate in drop-in crafts for all ages during August at the Durham Public Library. No need to register, just stop by. All supplies provided. Supplies limited.
Week 1 Seashell Surprise
Week 2 Pinapples
Week 3 Jelly Fish
Week 4: Mystery Crafts
Minecraft Potions
Monday 8/5
4 PM for Grades K-2
6 PM for Grades 3 & up
Brew Minecraft potions in real life! Kids in grades K-2 and Grades 3 & up as of the Fall of 2024 are welcome to register for this fun Minecraft-themed science activity. Registration required.
Moana Sing-a-long
Friday, August 9th from 3-4:30 pm
Children and caregivers can visit the library this Friday to sing along with Disney’s Moana. Make a craft (or 3) take a picture on Motunui and have some popcorn.
Registration is encouraged but not required. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
Eras Tour Evening
Monday, 8/12
6:30 PM
Kids in grades 3 and up, join us on August 12th at 6:30 pm for a magical journey through Taylor Swift’s music! From her country roots to her pop reign, get ready to sing, dance, and get crafty to celebrate the iconic songs that define the eras. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Registration required.
Pop by for a Popsicle
Wednesday 8/14/24
6-7 pm
Visit the library between 6-7 pm for a popsicle. P.A.L.S ( the friends of the Durham Public Library) will be handing out popsicles to all comers. Come by and thank them for funding such an AMAZING summer. Don’t forget to turn in your summer reading logs and collect any prizes or beads. Outside Weather Permitting, no rain date.
All ages with an adult. No registration is required. Popsicles are limited, first come, first serve.
If you have any questions or comments please reach out to Alex Klaus at aklaus@durhamlibrary.org or call us at 860-349-9544
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