Category Archives: Featured

New at the Library

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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.

New Service! Online Language Learning

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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.

Homebound Delivery Service

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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.

Spanish Conversation Group

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Join us for weekly Spanish! Expand your speaking skills by practicing the language in a welcoming atmosphere. This event, hosted by fluent Spanish speaker Marilyn Horn, meets each Friday on Zoom. New participants always welcome – please email Kim McNally at kmcnally@durhamlibrary.org for information. No meeting on December 25.

French Conversation Group

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Calling all French speakers! Expand your speaking skills by practicing the language in a welcoming atmosphere. Open to all levels of speakers. Facilitated by native French speaker Simone Howe. Meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month on Zoom. Regular participants will receive a link to the Zoom meeting. If this is your first time please email lredfield@durhamlibrary.org to receive the Zoom link for the online meeting. See you there!

Next meeting Thursday, August 5 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Magazines Available in Overdrive/Libby

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The Durham Public Library has an extensive collection of digital magazines available through the Libby app.

A sampling of digital magazines available include: The Economist, National Geographic, Bon Appetit, Country Living, Runner’s World, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, and over 3,000 more. Click here for a full list.

Digital magazines have no wait lists or holds, do not count towards checkout limits and provide readers the option to renew their selections. Library name patrons can also download magazines to Libby for offline use. Readers can browse lists of magazines within the app and search by format to find available titles.

Named one of Popular Mechanics’ 20 Best Apps of the Decade, Libby seamlessly connects first-time users and experienced readers with Library name’s digital collection. This locally selected collection offers ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines including bestsellers and new releases. Readers of all ages can select from virtually every subject ranging from mystery, romance, children’s, business and more.

New to digital?

In just a few taps, you can start reading instantly on your phone or tablet. The digital library is available 24/7 without leaving home and is free from our library. Download the Libby app to get started or click here for more info.

Print from Anywhere!

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Print from home or from any location from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
  • From your personal device, email the document, picture, or email that you want to print to “print@ricohprintcloud.com”
  • Once the email is received, the service will email a release code back to you.
  • Come to the Library and go to the printer/copier.
  • Tap the Home icon on the copier.
  • Tap the “ICE” icon.
  • Tap the “Print Cloud – Print” icon .
  • Enter your release code.
  • Adjust settings (number of copies, single or double sided, etc.) and tap “Print”.

Printing and copies are $0.15 per page for black and white and $0.25 per page for color.

Documents may be sent to the printer from your device from any location, including your home. The document will not print until you come to the library and enter the release code.

Manage Your Library Account with Your Phone

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Text Us!

Receive text messages when:

  • Items you requested are ready for pickup
  • Items you borrowed are almost due
  • Items you borrowed are overdue

Text the library to:

  • Renew your items
  • Get list of items currently checked out

Sign up for free! (Standard texting rates apply)

Text the word SIGNUP to 860-345-1307. You will receive a reply asking for your library card number. Text your library card number (under the barcode). You will receive a confirmation text. Service works with all smart phones — some older phones may be incompatible with the service.

Text Commands to: 860-345-1307

ADDCARD – Add new card(s) (i.e. spouse, children) to the same phone
ALL – Request to renew all eligible items, including overdue items
DROPCARD – Remove cards from phone
IOWEU – Request amount of current fines owed
MYBOOKS – Request a list of all current checkouts
MYCARDS – View registered card number(s) and expiration date(s) of the account(s)
OA – Request to renew all overdue items
QUIT – Discontinue the text messaging service
RA – Request to renew all eligible items (not overdue items)
RL – Request for list of eligible items (not overdue items) to choose to renew

A full list of commands and instructions is available at:  https://is.gd/SBhelp or see any staff member for assistance.