Update July 20, 2023

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.

Update July 3, 2023

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.

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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

• Online study room and meeting room reservations
• Silent Reading Room in Old Library
• Periodical shelving
• Coffee and tea for purchase
• Trim and finish work

Update June 21, 2023

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.

Update June 16, 2023

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.

Update June 12, 2023

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!

Update June 5, 2023

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.

Update May 25, 2023

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!

Update May, 23, 2023

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.

Update May 17, 2023

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.

Update May 3, 2023

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!

Update May 1, 2023

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!

Update April 27, 2023

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.

Update April 25, 2023

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.

Update April 24, 2023

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.

Update April 20, 2023

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.

Update: April 18, 2023

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.

Update: April 17, 2023

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

• New Fiction, Nonfiction, Mysteries, and Large Print are available on the first shelf (where new fiction has been.) currently holding the new fiction.
• New DVDs, Three-Day DVDs, New Audiobooks, and some of the DVD collection are located adjacent to the new fiction.
• Children’s DVDs are located in the Children’s Department.
• The paperback collection is located on the shelves behind the new books, where New Mysteries were previously.
• New and popular Young Adult materials are located on the central shelf unit near the middle-grade fiction in the Children’s Department.
• Adult biographies, adult nonfiction 001-499, some young adult materials, music CDs, magazines, and some audiobooks and DVDs will be in storage. If you are looking for a specific title, please ask a staff member.
• Today’s newspapers are available at the circulation desk.

Update: April 2, 2023

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:

• Quiet Study: Two small study rooms and updated reading areas.
• Collaboration: Gathering space for group work, conversation, and community.
• Technology: Upgraded public computer and “bring your own device” access.
• Accessibility: Convenient, handicap-accessible access to the building and services.
• Carpet, paint, and the two main floor restrooms will also be updated.

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.

Materials Being Moved the Week of April 3

• New Fiction, Nonfiction, Mysteries, and Large Print will be consolidated on the shelves currently holding the new fiction.
• New DVDs, Three-Day DVDs, New Audiobooks, and some of the DVD collection will be located where the new nonfiction is currently.
• The paperback collection will be on the shelves behind the new books, where New Mysteries are currently.
• New and popular Young Adult materials are located on the central shelf unit in the young adult section.

Can’t Find Something? Please Ask!

Sponsors

This library renewal project is made possible by grants and funding from the following sources:

• State of Connecticut State Library Construction Grant for $146,957
• Town of Durham
• The Peach Pit Foundation
• The Generous Donations of the Residents of Durham.

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!

RESCHEDULED to
Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 6 PM

Join Dylan Napoleone for a program all about bass fishing!

In this program, Dylan demonstrates and speaks upon everything you need to know to effectively target bass in local waters. Some topics include gear, techniques/approaches, fishing in the different seasons, and more!

Registration required. Click HERE to register.

Looking for something fun to do in your own backyard this summer? Check out our new lawn games! We have eight new games that you can take home for a week to play in your backyard, in a park, or wherever the fun may take you!

The Lawn Games collection consists of:

• Bocce
• Cornhole
• Croquet
• Giant Jenga
• Ladder Golf
• Lawn Bowling
• Ring Toss
• Wooden Dice

To put a hold on one of the games, go to our catalog and search the name of the game you are looking for and “lawn games Durham”, or call or stop by the library!

The lawn games are made possible through the generosity of the Peach Pit Foundation and the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.

Thanks to our amazing and generous community, we have achieved our $100,000 fundraising goal for the Library Renewal Project!  

Heartfelt thanks go out to the PeachPit Foundation, to the Cumello, Eames, Howe, and Mueller families, and to our incredible community of businesses and individuals who stepped up to support this project. We could not have done this without each and every one of you. 

With the matching funds in place, the Connecticut State Bond Commission gave final approval this week to a $147,000 grant to complete this project. We would like to thank Laura Francis and all of the town and state officials who worked with us to make this happen.

Our new Head of Youth Services will be a familiar face: Alex Klaus, Head of Youth Services at the Durham Public Library from 2016-2019 is rejoining our staff. Most recently, Alex was Head of Youth Services at the Plainville Public Library.

Alex will be primarily responsible for collection development, programming, and outreach for children and families.

Please join us in welcoming Alex to her new role!

Due to increasing COVID cases in Connecticut and new guidance from the CDC and Connecticut Department of Public Health, all patrons aged 2 and over are required to wear a mask while in the library. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you are unable to wear a mask, please call for curbside pickup.

Do you want to understand and take action on the social, economic and political issues we face today? If so, please join the Durham Public Library and the Middlefield-Durham Racial Justice Team for a film discussion facilitated by the Middlefield-Durham Racial Justice Team.

On July 29, Join us to watch and discuss “A Conversation with the Police,” episode 9 of Emmanel Acho’s web series “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” Emmanuel sits down with police officers from the Petaluma Police Department in Petaluma, CA. They discuss polarizing topics like defunding the police, Black Lives Matter, and accountability in the police force surrounding the tragic deaths of black civilians.

Emmnual Acho is a retired NFL player and current television sports analyst who created the “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” web series to answer challenging questions about race that white people are afraid to ask.

Discussion will take place via Zoom. This program is open to all and registration is required. A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent to registered participants no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Click here to register.

Stop by the library starting Monday, July 12 and pick up supplies and directions to make some summery citrus coasters!

No registration required; while supplies last.