Printing is currently unavailable at Main Library and East Regional Library.
Due to an ongoing maintenance issue at Southwest Regional Library, a section of the children's area is currently unavailable to both staff and patrons until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Behind-the-scenes software update - you can now log in to the online catalog, view your account, and place holds. Phone renewals are not available yet - for now, you can renew online or by contacting us.

For kids and families

The library is a place for all kinds of families to discover, explore, and have fun together.

It’s not just books (although we’ve got a great collection for kids!). At the library you can:

…and much more!

For every age

Through every stage of your lifelong learning journey, the library is there for you. From the very beginning with lapsit storytimes and board books, through homework help and fun activities for kids in school, and into the teen years and beyond – at every age, we can help you grow, learn, and have fun!

Upcoming events

Homeschool Learning Lab: Sensory Bottles

Thursday, May 02, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am

North Regional Library

Join us for Homeschool Learning Lab. Homeschool Learning Lab meets weekly on Thursdays at North Regional Library. Join our community! This week we are exploring our senses and making sensory bottles. ...

Ages: Elementary School

Baby Time

Thursday, May 02, 2024 • 10:30am - 11:00am

South Regional Library (South Meeting Room - Full Room)

Join our circle for a lapsit storytime of activities including bouncing rhymes, baby cuddling, songs and fingerplays. This is an excellent opportunity to join in a group activity and share a fun experience with other parents/caregivers. Ages...

Ages: Baby, Toddler

Registration required

Liv and Sing!

Thursday, May 02, 2024 • 10:30am - 11:00am

Southwest Regional Library (Southwest Meeting Room - Full Room)

Ms. Olivia invites you to lively, assorted music, sit-down moments, energetic dancing and closing scarf-movement. All ages welcome.

Ages: Baby, Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler

Preschool Storytime

Thursday, May 02, 2024 • 10:30am - 11:00am

Main Library

Come join us for a fun-filled storytime for preschoolers with lots of singing, dancing, playing, and reading. Registration is recommended.

Ages: Baby, Intergenerational, Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler

Registration required

Playtime Pals

Thursday, May 02, 2024 • 11:00am - 12:00pm

East Regional Library (East Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Drop in for free play on Thursday mornings from 11 am- noon. Come socialize with other caregivers while your kiddos play! 

Ages: Baby, Pre-School, Toddler

Registration required

This Week In the Lab: Ozobots

Thursday, May 02, 2024 • 10:00am - 2:00pm

Main Library

Join the STEAM Team in the Innovation Lab during specified open hours to discover the power of robotics thorugh color! Code our special color sensing Ozobots by drawing directly onto the page, or dive deep into the basics of block coding using...

Ages: Adult, Elementary School, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Intergenerational, Kindergarten, Middle School, Pre-School, Senior Citizen, Teen, Toddler, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds, DPS

Phonics Fun: An Early Reader Program

Thursday, May 02, 2024 • 3:15pm - 4:00pm

Main Library (Main Children's Programming Room)

Do you have a little one that’s just beginning to read? This program is for them! In this six – week series we will practice reading and writing constant-vowel-constant pattern words. Each week we will cover a different vowel sound....

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten, DPS

Registration required

Check for more events like this > or See all events

Featured online resources

Brainfuse HelpNow

Free online tutoring, help with writing assignments, and more.

Help and more info for Brainfuse HelpNow

Just for Kids Access Video

Kids’ shows, with favorites like Sesame Street, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, and more.

NCpedia

Info about North Carolina history, people, government, and educational institutions.

More online resources for kids >

Accounts and access

Library cards

No one is too young or old to get a library card! Kids from 0 to 17 can check out items, use computers, and more with a juvenile card. A parent or guardian must be present to sign up for the card.

For Durham Public Schools students – Bull City, NC SLAM

Durham Public Schools students can also check out items through the Bull City, NC SLAM program. No sign-up is required: students already have a SLAM ID unless you’ve opted out of the program – it’s the same as your student ID or PowerSchool number. You can use your SLAM IDs for checking out books, using library resources online, and more. Learn more about how Bull City, NC SLAM works.

Online storytimes

Join our awesome children’s librarians as they share some of their favorite stories!
More online programming: Online storytime playlist Toddler Tuesday Wacky Wednesday Bilingual Thursday

Meet the children’s librarians

South Regional children's manager Joel by the pool

Mr. Joel

Location: South Regional Library

Mr. Joel really enjoys working with children. He has been working in Durham County since 2009 and loves the culture of Durham. Music has always been an important part of his life, and he loves to share wonderful songs with children through movement and dance. He plays saxophone with the “One Sound” R&B band and has released 8 original songs with the band “Woodyhill.” Come and check out his Funtime Storytime program to see for yourself.

Pronouns: he/him

Meet all the children’s librarians >