Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday, & Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Coffee is now available for purchase. Keurig pods may be purchased for $1.25 each. Enjoy our cozy reading areas. (Lids must be used in the Library.)
Keurig machine provided by PALS: Friends of the Durham Public Library.
Come explore our new spaces!
Library Open House Saturday August 26 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Welcome and remarks from Connecticut State Librarian Deborah Schander and Library Board Chair Robert Booz will open the event at 10 AM
Get a library card, check out our new study rooms, chat in our comfy seating areas, and learn more about the library’s programs and services.
Light refreshments, crafts, and scavenger hunt all day.
This library renewal project is made possible by grants and funding from the following sources:
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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:
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.
This library renewal project is made possible by grants and funding from the following sources:
Did you know that Durham has an electric car charging station? The charging station is located in the rear of the parking lot at the Durham Public Library at 7 Maple Avenue and can accommodate two cars at a time
Electric vehicle owners can activate the charger by tapping their “ChargePoint” card on the charger’s screen. Once activated, the driver plugs in and can recharge their car’s battery while they use the library, walk to the Post Office, or stroll Main Street. If the car’s battery is quite full, “topping up” the charge may take just minutes. A full charge for low battery can take a few hours. To finish the transaction, the driver taps their card on the charger again, and will be charged for electricity used.
The charger is administered by the ChargePoint company. Chargepoint has supplied a phone number on the charger in case of questions or issues with the charger. If a driver does not have a ChargePoint card, they can call the phone number and ChargePoint will then remotely activate the charger and will send the driver a card for future use. Visit www.chargepoint.com for more info.
The ChargePoint website has a charging station locator map to help drivers find car chargers locally and across the country. If anyone has questions about the car charger, please contact ChargePoint at the number listed on the charging station.
The charging station is an initiative of Sustainable Durham and installation was funded by a State of Connecticut Bright Ideas Grant. Durham is proud to join surrounding towns in making this clean energy technology available to CT drivers!
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.
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.
Saturday, June 4 at 9:30 AM
In person, meet at Curtis Woodlands.
Join Aubree Keurajian of Ungardening for a plant identification walk around Curtis Woodlands. You’ll learn all about the local flora and fauna here in Durham!
This hike will take place in the meadow of Curtis Woodlands, the route is just under 0.5 miles, mostly in full sun, but with some areas of shade. Curtis Woodlands is located at the corner of Dunn Hill Road and Salted Lane in Durham. There is a small parking area just beyond the point where Dunn Hill Road turns into Salted Lane, approximately 400 feet beyond Brittnay Drive. There is additional parking along the street. Closed toed shoes, long pants, and bug spray are suggested.
The Durham Public Library hosts a movie matinee every Thursday at 2:00 pm. This film series is free and open to the public. Please note that for movies rated R, only individuals age 18 & over are permitted to attend. Viewer discretion is advised.
October 2023 Movies:
Oct. 5: Book Club: The Next Chapter (PG-13)
Oct. 12: Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. (PG-13)
Oct. 19: Plane (R)
Oct. 26: Jerry & Marge Go Large (PG-13)
Monday, May 2 at 6 PM, in person.
Join us for a talk by Dr. Alton C. Byers, National Geographic Explorer, mountain geographer, conservationist, and mountaineer!
Dr. Byers will discuss his research on recent glacier-related flood events in high mountain areas.
Registration required. Click here to register.
PLANT SALE/EXCHANGE RETURNS IN 2022! Start potting up your houseplants, perennials, herbs, annuals and shrubs. The Durham Library Annual Plant Sale and Exchange will be held on Saturday, May 14th. Plants may be dropped off at the library on Friday May 13th or before 9:30 am on the day of the event. The Sale/Exchange starts at 10 am. Plants must be in pots and labeled. Anyone wishing to exchange plants will receive a receipt, which will be credited for purchases at the sale.
To avoid the spread of invasive species and plant diseases, the UConn Extension Service recommends rinsing the roots and repotting plants in clean soil before swapping.
Designing Shady Retreats: Monday, March 28 at 6 PM, via Zoom
In this richly illustrated lecture, we explore a variety of intriguing gardens that will inspire you to create your own shady retreats! Join Joan Butler of Enchanted Gardens to learn design tricks and strategies to light up shady corners, highlight unusual plants that thrive in low-light conditions, and illustrate the creative use of art objects, seating and water features.
Click Here to Register. A Zoom link will be sent to you on the day of the program.
Sustainable Gardening: The New Lawn: Thursday, March 31 at 6:00 PM, In person at the Durham Public Library
Join Judy Preston of the Connecticut Sea Grant for a discussion of sustainable gardening practices. She will focus on lawns and talk about providing wildlife (including pollinator) habitats while protecting water quality.
Space is limited and registration is required. Click Here to Register.
A Piet Oudolf Story with Deborah Chud: Thursday, April 7 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Piet Oudolf has gained international renown for his imaginative plantings and a style that he calls naturalistic planting design. Oudolf gardens feature the plants that he has found to be the most dependable, disease resistant, and easy to maintain.Join Deborah Chud as she shares her experience growing from novice gardener to Piet Oudolf expert!
Click Here to Register. A Zoom link will be sent to you on the day of the program.
The Spring Gardening programs are made possible with funding from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.
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