Galápagos: ISLANDS OF CHANGE Book Launch with Leslie Bulion

April 3 at 6:30pm. This event will be held in the multi-purpose room of Durham’s new Community Center (the former Korn School on Pickett Lane). 

Come visit a distinctive island ecosystem, home to many species found nowhere else on Earth, with children’s author and science poet Leslie Bulion! Leslie is thrilled to launch her newest science poetry collection, GALÁPAGOS: ISLANDS OF CHANGE in an event sponsored by the Durham Public Library onApril 3 at 6:30pm. Readers of all ages will enjoy Leslie’s presentation of the Galápagos photos and field notebook sketches she used to create her joyful science poetry. Following the presentation, participants can decorate their own field notebooks and sketch Galápagos critter models on site, or add their own chalk artwork in a larger format!  Books will be available for purchase and Leslie will be glad to sign them for guests. This event will be held in the multi-purpose room of Durham’s new Community Center (the former Korn School on Pickett Lane). 

REGISTER HERE

New Service! Online Language Learning

110+ Languages Are At Your Fingertips: Transparent Language Online Now Available

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.

Click Here to Get Started

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.

Books & Babies

NEW TIME 11 AM! FOR 3/29, 4/5, 412!

Wednesdays at 9:30 AM for Babies 0-18mo. with a caregiver.

Meets: 2/8, 2/25, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22,

Books and babies is a short storytime with playtime and conversation to follow.

This group is intended for children 1-18 months with an adult. Siblings are always welcome! ( no need to register older siblings)

The goal is to foster early literacy and create a safe space for new parents to meet and chat.

Registration is NOT required but is recommended for updates and weather-related delays.

REGISTER HERE

Graphic Novel Book Club: Wings of Fire

Mondays  at 6:30 PM  starting 1/23

Join Miss Alex for a monthly book club for the Wings of Fire Graphic Novels.

Children in grades 3-5 can meet one Monday of every month to discuss that month’s pick.

Registration required. Register online below:

Copies can be picked up at the front desk starting 1/3/23.

3/27 Book 3: The Hidden Kingdom

4/24 Book 4 The Dark Secret

REGISTER HERE

Homebound Delivery Service

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.

Thursday Movie Matinees Are Back!

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.

Movie Matinees are on pause as of March 2023. We hope they will return this summer after our remodeling project!

Wi-Fi Hotspots

In order to expand Internet access to Durham residents, the Library has established a Wi-Fi hotspot lending program. The hotspots are provided by T-Mobile and funded by a gift from Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and PALS: The Friends of the Durham Public Library.

No internet at home? Borrow ours for: school projects and papers, job searching online, and connecting your tablet or laptop.

On a long car trip? Have the kids in the backseat streaming movies, music or other online content.

On Vacation? Road trip, camping, or grandmas house with no internet? Bring it with you!

Loans and Holds

Hotspots are available to Durham Public Library card holders ages 18 and up with fines of less than $10.00. Patrons must present their valid Durham Public Library card at the time of checkout.

Checkouts are limited to one hotspot per household at any given time. Hotspots may be checked out for one week and cannot be renewed.

Hotspots may be reserved by placing a hold online or by calling the library. Devices will be held for two days. If the device is not picked up by the end of the second day, the hold will be cancelled and the device will move to the next person in line.

At the time of checkout, patrons must sign a Hotspot Use Agreement, acknowledging the Library’s Hotspot Use Policy.

The Library reserves the right to refuse lending to patrons who abuse equipment or who repeatedly return Hotspots late.

Hotspots must be picked up and returned at the Durham Public Library circulation desk. Hotspots must never be returned to another library or placed in the book drops.

Hotspot Use

Patrons are responsible for the proper care and use of the Wi-Fi hotspot. We recommend that patrons have a basic working knowledge of the device on checkout. If you encounter any technical problems, contact Library Director Christine Michaud at cmichaud@durhamlibrary.org or 860-349-9544, ext. 5.

The Library is not responsible for any liability, damages, or expense resulting from use or misuse of the hotspot and its connection to other electronic devices, or data loss resulting from use of the Hotspot. Any use of the device for illegal purposes, unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material in any format, or transmission of threatening, harassing, defamatory or obscene materials is strictly prohibited.

Wi-Fi service will be turned off if the hotspot is more than two days overdue, rendering the device unusable.

Loss or Damage

Overdue fines of $5 per day, to a maximum of $20, will be charged for late hotspots.

Hotspots that are two weeks or more overdue are considered lost. Patrons will be charged a $100.00 replacement fee if the hotspot is lost or damaged.

Patrons will be charged a replacement fee not to exceed $20 if a charging block or case is lost or damaged.