All library locations and services will be closed Tuesday, December 24, through Thursday, December 26, for the winter holiday.

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

KIDZ MOVIE MADNESS

Saturday, December 21, 2024 • 11:00am - 12:45pm

South Regional Library (4505 S. Alston Ave) (South Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Please join our movie event where we will watch Disney's Frozen! Popcorn and juice will be provided. Please register before attending. 

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler

Registration required

This Week In the Lab: STEAM Board Games

Saturday, December 21, 2024 • 11:00am - 1:00pm

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St)

Join the STEAM Team in the Innovation Lab during specified open hours to adventure through our STEAM-themed board game collection! Bring friends or play games with others here in this drop-in, self-paced activity....

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

Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show

Saturday, December 21, 2024 • 10:00am - 4:00pm

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Children's Programming Room)

All aboard and welcome to the train show! This exhibit is brought to us by Little WORLD Charity, a 100% volunteer effort....

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

This Week In the Lab: STEAM Board Games

Saturday, December 21, 2024 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St)

Join the STEAM Team in the Innovation Lab during specified open hours to adventure through our STEAM-themed board game collection! Bring friends or play games with others here in this drop-in, self-paced activity....

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

Downtown Durham Chess Club

Saturday, December 21, 2024 • 1:30pm - 5:30pm

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Meeting Room #4347)

...

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

Scavenger Hunt @ Southwest: Happy Birthday, Taylor Swift!

Saturday, December 21, 2024 • All day

Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd) (Southwest Regional - Children's Area)

Celebrate Taylor Swift’s birthday on December 13! Look for pictures from her most epic music videos! Find all 10 in the Children’s Area of the Library!

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten, Pre-School, Teen, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds

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

Gale in Context: Elementary

Just for elementary students: search for info on current events, the arts, science, health, people, government, history, sports, and more. Includes easy-to-understand articles from over 100 kids' magazines, newspapers, and reference books.

Help and more info for Gale in Context: Elementary

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.

Meet the children’s librarians

Children's librarian Iris

Iris

Location: East Regional Library

Iris is a retired Health Educator with the State of North Carolina, serving the public for 34 years. She is an NCSU Emeritus professor and a native of Durham, NC. She is now happily continuing to serve North Carolina citizens in her part-time retirement position as Children’s Library Assistant with the East Regional Library.

Pronouns: she/her

Meet all the children’s librarians >