Find your voice this summer at the Library. Starting on June 20th, head to the library to pick up a Summer Read & Bead Activity Log. If you’ll be entering 6th grade in the fall of 2023, please skip to the Teen Program. If you’re not yet in Kindergarten ask for a board game.
Most program registration opens on 6/19, but please check the registration date for each program. The grade eligibility is based on the grade your child will be entering as of Fall 2023.
If you have any questions or comments please reach out to Alex Klaus at aklaus@durhamlibrary.org or call us at 860-349-9544
Bead Scavenger Hunt
6/1-6/31 10-00 AM-Close
Get ready to Read & Bead. Find all the bead images hidden in the Children’s Department during the month of June. Turn in your completed sheet for a small surprise at the checkout desk. Play as many times as you’d like all month long. Open to all ages with an adult.
Drop-in Summer Reading Kick-off Craft
6/20-6/24 10:00 AM- Close
Drop into the Children’s Department anytime this week to decorate a Summer Reading Star and Moon. All ages are welcome with an adult. All supplies will be provided. Supplies are limited, first come first serve. No registration is required.
StarLAB by Connecticut Children’s Museum in concert with the Durham Public Library presents;
Starry Safari & Stories by Starlight
The planetarium uses an inflatable dome and state-of-the-art projection system to present amazing images of the night sky to the young audiences invited to the presentation.
Tuesday, June 20th at the Durham Community Center, formerly Korn School.
Starry Safari at 2:30 pm
A special tour of creature constellations from around the world. Hear the amazing tales people told about how those animals were placed in the night sky. Bring a constellation to life and meet a live animal from the wildlife sanctuary.
Starry Safari is most appropriate for preschoolers to 1st-grade audiences and a caregiver.
Space is limited inside the inflatable planetarium dome, please consider this when registering adults.
Stories by Starlight at 3:45 pm or 5 pm
This program will introduce the children to the cultures and customs of early, but advanced, civilizations as they were influenced by the stars. Among the cultures to be included in the presentation, are those of Ancient Greece, Chinese, Egyptian, Native American Indian tribes, the Aztecs, the KhoiSan, and others. In each case, their stories will be told in relation to their studies and understanding of the stars.
Stories by Starlight is geared toward kids in grades 2 through 6.
Space is limited inside the inflatable planetarium dome, please consider this when registering adults.
Farmers Market Storytime
Join Miss Alex every other Thursday on the Town Green or at the Community Center (if it rains) for an all-ages storytime.
No registration is required, just swing by.
Every other Thursday at 5 pm
Meets: 6/1, 6/15, , NO MEETING 6/29, 7/13, 7/27, 8/10, 8/24, 9/7, 9/28, 10/12.
All Ages Storytime
Mondays at 9:30 AM
July 10, 17, 24 & 31. August 7, 21, 28.
Join Miss Kristen for an all-ages storytime! Siblings are welcome, no registration is required.
Drop-in Patriotic Craft
All Week 7/3-7/8
The library will be closed on 7/4 for the Fourth of July
Children of all ages with an adult are encouraged to stop in to make a fun decoration for the 4th of July! No registration is required, just drop in any time between 10 am and close. Supplies are limited, first come first serve.
Science Explorers Grades K-2
Mondays at 4:30 PM
Kids entering Grades K-2 in the Fall of 2023 are invited to join Miss Alex for some science fun! Registration required. Registration for all sessions opens on 6/19. Participants must register for each session they’d like to attend.
- Week 1: Towers (meets 7/10)
- Week 2: Planes (meets 7/17)
- Week 3: Circuits (meets 7/24)
- Week 4: Bubbles (meets 7/31)
- Week 5: SURPRISE (meets 8/10)
Science Explorers Grades 3-5
Mondays at 6:30 PM
Kids entering Grades 3-5 in the Fall of 2023 are invited to join Miss Alex for some science fun! Registration required. Registration for all sessions opens on 6/19. Participants must register for each session they’d like to attend.
- Week 1: Towers
- Week 2: Planes
- Week 3: Circuits
- Week 4: pH Lab
- Week 5: Boats
LEGO Robotics Grades 1-2
Tuesdays at 10 AM
Every Tuesday kids entering Grades 1-2 in the Fall of 2023 can build and program a simple robot using LEGO Spike Essential Robotics kits. Registration required. Registration opens 2 weeks before each session unless otherwise noted. Limit 8 per session.
7/11: Great Adventures: Arctic Ride
7/18 Great Adventures: Underwater Quest
7/25 Great Adventures: Animal Alarm
8/1 Amazing Amusement Park: Ferris Wheel
8/8 Amazing Amusement Park: Snack Stand
8/15 Amazing Amusement Park: Classic Carousel
LEGO Robotics Grades 3-5
Tuesdays at 3:00 PM
Every Tuesday kids entering Grades 3-5 in the Fall of 2023 can build and program a simple robot using LEGO Spike Essential Robotics kits. Registration required. Registration opens 2 weeks before each session unless otherwise noted. Limit 8 per session.
7/11 Happy Traveler: Taxi Taxi
7/18 Happy Traveler: Big Bus
7/25 Happy Traveler: Cable Car
8/1 Crazy Carnival Games: Avoid the Edge
8/8 Crazy Carnival Games: Bowling Fun
8/15 Crazy Carnival Games: Jr Pinball
Lemonade & Crafts
Thursdays at 6:30 PM
Enjoyed Cocoa & Crafts? Sign up for the summer version. Kids entering Grades 3 and up in the Fall of 2023 can join Miss AlexThursday evenings this summer to make some crafts and share some lemonade. Registration is required, you will have the option to indicate which weeks you want to attend. Registration opens on 6/19. Limited spots for each session.
- Week 1: Fluffy Slime (meets 7/13)
- Week 2: Clay (meets 7/20)
- Week 3: Friendship Bracelets (meets 7/27)
- Week 4: Shrinky Dink Charms (meets 8/03)
- Week 5: Perler Beads (meets 8/10)
- Week 6: Wall Hangings (meets 8/17)
Snakes Alive!
Friday, July 14th at 2 pm
Whether they fascinate you or scare you, there is much to learn about snakes. The Roaring Brook Nature Center will visit the Library this Friday with live snakes. Families and children of all ages will learn about ecosystem adaptation, camouflage, hibernation, migration, extinction, interdependence, and food chains.
This presentation includes live snakes.
Registration is required, space is limited. Registration opens on 6/19.
Bubblemania
Wednesday 7/19 at 10:30 am. Rain date 7/26.
Children of all ages with an adult can visit the library’s lawn for some exciting experiments with bubbles. Weather permitting, rain date 7/26.
Registration is strongly encouraged, registration opens on 6/19.
Rockin’ & Reading with Al deCant & Pete the Cat
Wednesday 8/2 at 10 AM
Celebrate the joy of Reading with Al Decant and special Guest Pete the Cat.
Families with children of all ages can join us for a Rockin’ Sing-a-long and have their picture taken with Pete The Cat.
Registration is encouraged but not required, space is limited.
Toddler Art
Saturdays at 10:30 AM
Join Miss Alex to make some process art. Ages 2 and up only, please. Registration required. Register using the library’s online calendar Registration opens 2 weeks before each class.
Kids Tag Sale
Saturday 7/15 at 10 AM. Rain Date 7/29
Set up 9 AM-10 AM * Sale 10 AM-12 PM
A sale where only kids can sell, but anyone can buy!
We are looking for sellers ages 5-18 (12 & under with a parent).
Registration for sellers opens on June 19th. Register online using the library’s calendar or call the library at 860-749-9544
Please bring the following if you plan to sell:
kid’s items ONLY
- a blanket and/or table
- items marked with prices
- a parent if you are under 13 years of age
Please take home any unsold items and move your cars to the side after unloading.
C.A.M.P.
(crafts all month please)
8/7-9/1: Open to Close
Come participate in drop-in crafts for all ages during the month of August at the Durham Public Library. No need to register, just stop by. All supplies provided. Supplies limited.
Little Mermaid Sing-a-long
Friday, August 11th from 3-4:30 pm
Children and caregivers can visit the library this Friday to sing along with the classic Disney’s Little Mermaid. Kids can make a craft ( or 3), take a picture as a mermaid, and have some popcorn.
Registration is encouraged but not required. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
Summer Reading Finale: Pop by for a Popsicle
Wednesday, August 16th, 2-5 pm
Visit the library between 2-5 pm on Wednesday, August 16th for a popsicle and to turn in your summer reading logs, collect prizes, beads, and a few other surprises. All ages with an adult. No registration is required. Popsicles are limited, first come, first serve.
Transparent Language- with KidSpeak
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.
Be sure to look for Kidspeak. With KidSpeak young learners explore a new language with their cartoon “friend” and his or her pet. They’ll broaden their horizons as they work their way through fun and engaging activities with KidSpeak. This feature is available for Chines, German, French, Spanish and Italian.
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