Durham County Library’s Stanford L. Warren Branch to Host Reopening Celebration on December 12

Durham, NC — Durham County Library’s historic Stanford L. Warren Branch Library will host its grand reopening event beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 12. The library, located at 1201 Fayetteville Street, closed in August of 2021 to undergo structural repairs and interior renovations. With a reinforced physical structure, new furniture, upgraded shelving, and additional amenities, the Stanford L. Warren Branch will be a community hub for years to come. Patrons are invited to check out items from the collection during the reopening festivities, but please note that public computers and printing will not be available until the following day.

The event will include a talk by Eileen Watts Welch, who will speak about the legacy of her great grandfather Aaron McDuffie Moore, one of the founders of the Stanford L. Warren Branch. The Stanford L. Warren Branch Library’s history began with Moore’s 1913 donation of 799 books that today make up the Selena Warren Wheeler Special Collection. In 1916, Moore and local businessman John Merrick established the Durham Colored Library, and in 1940 the dedicated Stanford L. Warren library building opened at its current location on Fayetteville Street. This talk is co-sponsored by the generous support of Friends of the Durham Library.

“To the contractors, library and County team members, and community stakeholders who made this possible, I express my sincere gratitude,” said Stephanie Fennell, Library Deputy Director. “The Stanford L. Warren Branch is an essential part of Durham’s history, and thanks to these renovations, the library is part of Durham’s future.”

About Durham County Library

Durham County Library encourages discovery, connects the community, and leads in literacy. For more information about the library, visit DurhamCountyLibrary.org.