Category Archives: Featured

Special Storytimes & Author Events

Posted on by

Events for Readers of all ages.

Adults!

Durham Resident & Author Andrea Steele – SAVED: Equine Rescues of CT

Tuesday 9/16 at 6pm

Durham resident and author Andrea Steele and Cromwell resident and photographer Sarah Grote will talk about their book, “SAVED: Equine Rescues of Connecticut.”

Horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules endure shocking forms of abuse and neglect at the hands of those who are supposed to care for them and keep them safe. As seasoned horsewomen, Andrea and Sarah bring awareness to how equines come to be at risk, and introduce you to the CT people who work tirelessly to rebuild the lives of these animals. They will also talk about specific ways we can join together to stop the neglect and abuse.

Copies of the book will be available to purchase and all proceeds will benefit the 9 CT rescue organizations featured in the book.

Register Here

Middle Grades!

Book Launch: Present Still Missing with Kimberly Mach

Wednesday 9/17 at 6pm

Book Launch: Present Still Missing with Kimberly Mach
Join us for an evening with local author Kimberly Mach as she celebrates the launch of her new book, Present Still Missing. Hear about the inspiration behind the story, get a peek into her writing process, and play games with WWII trivia. A Q&A session and book signing will follow.

Read the Kirkus review of Present Still Missing.

Register Here

Overview

After three long years of war, twelve-year-old Irene can’t wait for life to return to normal when her father finally comes home. But the playful daddy who once played tic-tac-toe in church and encouraged her to wear pants if she “blanged-well wanted to” seems lost in the shadows of his wartime experiences. As his nightmares, outbursts, and deep sadness grow worse instead of better, Irene realizes she may be losing her father all over again – this time to the echoes of war that refuse to fade.

In this poignant post-WWII story, one determined girl must find the courage and strength to help her father heal from the invisible wounds of war before it’s too late. Present, Still Missing explores the lasting impact of war on families and reminds us that sometimes the bravest battles are fought on the home front.

Families with young children!

Storytime at the Durham Fair

Friday, September 26, 2025, starting at 10 am.

The Discovery Center at the Durham Fair


Join Miss Alex from Durham Public Library for a fun outdoor-themed storytime at The Discovery Center. We’ll read books about the great outdoors, hiking, wildlife, and insects. Let’s celebrate nature through stories and songs. Perfect for families and young explorers.

Stop by and say hi!

Preschool & up!

JOIN US FOR HEALTHCARE HEROES STORYTIME

Date: Saturday, October 4
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

  • For children age 3 to age 10
  • A Middlesex Health healthcare hero will read a story featuring a healthcare provider of color
  • Youth in attendance get to play surgeon for a day through an interactive activity
  • Youth in attendance receive a free book that features diverse healthcare characters
Register Here

Durham Public Library is proud to partner with the Greater Middletown for Equity in Medical Career Opportunities Coalition (GMEMCO) to host this story time.

GMEMCO’s mission is to create equitable opportunities for youth of color to pursue medical careers through exposure, education, inspiration, and support.
For more information about GMEMCO and how you can be involved, contact Amber Kapoor at 860-358-2023 or Barbara Wade Holloman at 203-886-5802.

This program is funded in part through a grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.

School-aged children!

Magnificent Nick & His Canine Companions Story Time, local author, Kelly Ranalli. 

Learn how Magnificent Nick’s Canine Companions help him when he isn’t feeling so magnificent.

Join local author, Kelly Ranalli, for a book signing and craft as she shares Magnificent Nick’s story.

Ages 4-6 with an adult, siblings welcome. Registration encouraged. 

Register Here

PALS Tea Party!

Posted on by

Join PALS for an afternoon filled with delightful conversation, scrumptious treats, and garden-themed activities. Your support helps us continue providing valuable resources and programs for our community!

Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM

Prior reservation required. Space is limited

$30 per adult (12+)
$20 per child (under 12)

Reserve your tickets here!

Learn more about PALS here.

Check out our new library app!

Posted on by

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

New Kids Database: Educate Station

Posted on by

Full Curriculum For Grades K-5 .

Explore this resource here:

Educate Station

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.

Spanish Conversation Group

Posted on by

Expand your speaking skills by practicing the language in a welcoming atmosphere. This event, hosted by fluent Spanish speaker Marilyn Horn, meets twice each month on Zoom. New participants always welcome – please email Lauren Redfield at lredfield@durhamlibrary.org for information.

Looking for more language learning resources? Check out Transparent Language, our online language learning tool.

Why Wait? Download an Ebook or Audiobook Right Now

Posted on by

The Library offers a wide variety of free e-books, digital magazines and audiobooks, and streaming music and video, all available with your Durham Public Library card and many available instantly.

OverDrive/Libby
Best-selling and award-winning fiction and nonfiction books, audiobooks, and magazines. You may borrow up to 10 items at a time. Over 3,000 popular magazines are available, with no wait lists and no item limits. Use the “Available Now” filter to find currently available items.

hoopla
Always available movies, TV shows, music, books, comics, and audiobooks. You may borrow up to 4 items per calendar month.

The Palace Project
Thousands of free eBooks and audiobooks from the Connecticut State Library and Durham’s digital collections in the Palace Project app. 

Looking for a Job?

Posted on by

Free Online Career Assistance

JobNow™ provides library patrons with a host of services to help in every step of the job search process.  Job coaches are available to help patrons with any and all job search-related questions.  In addition to helping beginning job seekers pinpoint their desired career field, coaches can also provide constructive suggestions on resumes, help write a professional cover letter, and give live interview practice and feedback.

The link is available 24/7/365 in the library or from your home — click here or on the JobNow! icon on the left-hand side of the Library website home page.

Looking for a job? Use the Career Resources to begin your job search. Create your resume and get expert feedback. Prepare for your interview.

Not sure how to start your job search? Use eParachute to help you discover the career of your dreams.

Writing your resume? Begin by using one of the templates or the document builder in OptimalResume. Then use our Resume Lab to send it to a job coach and receive feedback and revisions to help strengthen your resume. FREE Online Career Assistance

Prepare for your interview. Read through our tips and connect with a live job coach to get ready for your interview.

Going back to school? Want to brush up on academic skills? Select “Adult Learners” from the menu to access GED prep, US Citizenship Test prep, resume assistance, Microsoft Office support, and Career Resources. Maestros en español disponible

Homebound Delivery Service

Posted on by

The Durham Public Library provides books and other materials for residents of Durham who are physically unable to visit the library because of a temporary or permanent disability.

How to apply: Applicants should complete the Durham Public Library Homebound Delivery Application and a reading interest form. Click here to complete the form online or call us at (860) 349-9544, ext. 5 to request a physical form.

How is delivery arranged?  Materials will be delivered by a library representative on a schedule convenient for the library, but no more than once per month. When we receive your enrollment form, we will contact you to discuss delivery.

What are the borrowing guidelines? Any circulating item may be borrowed by our homebound patrons, with a limit of 25 items per delivery. There is no fee for the delivery service and overdue fees will not be charged. The Library’s standard fee schedule shall apply for damaged or lost items.

For more information: Please contact Christine Michaud at (860) 349-9544, ext. 5 or cmichaud@durhamlibrary.org if you have questions about this service.

Book A Study Room

Posted on by

Looking for a place to meet? The Library has two study rooms for 1-4 people for the purpose of quiet study and discussion.

Please note that the rooms are not soundproof — please keep conversation to a low volume. Noise-reducing headphones may be borrowed at the circulation desk.

  1. Patrons must be 12 years old or older to reserve a study room.
  2. Groups or individuals may reserve a study room for a maximum of 2 hours per day.
  3. Reservations are limited to one per day, per group and may be reserved up to one week in advance.
  4. If it has not been reserved, patrons may remain in a room beyond their scheduled time, but must vacate it when a new patron signs in.
  5. Please check in at the circulation desk.
  6. The library is not responsible for equipment, supplies, materials or any other items owned by an individual or group used in the study rooms. Personal items may not be stored in the study rooms.
Reserve a Study Room

Submitting a reservation indicates acceptance of the Library’s Room Reservation Policies.

In addition to the study rooms, the Study Zone also includes a “laptop bar” and comfortable seating with device charging and flip up tablet desks. Just plug your device in and get to work. This area is past the circulation desk, where DVDs were previously.