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

This Week In the Lab: Paper Crafts

Friday, May 16, 2025 • 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St)

Join the STEAM Team in the Innovation Lab during specified open hours to do paper crafts by creating your own Zine and fold origami!...

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

Gadgets and Gizmos: Butterfly Kits

Friday, May 16, 2025 • 4:30pm - 5:00pm

East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane) (East Meeting Room)

Join us for a maker program, Gadgets and Gizmos, that will be held every other month (alternating with Create with Me)! ...

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten

Registration required

Air Dry Clay @ Bragtown

Friday, May 16, 2025 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Bragtown Branch Library (3200 Dearborn Dr)

Come along and make your own pinch pot or trinket tray. Join us on May 16th to make your creation, and on May 23rd to paint it!  

Ages: Elementary School, Intergenerational, Kindergarten, Middle School, DPS

Registration required

North Regional Children's Programming Break

Friday, May 16, 2025 • All day

North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd)

The North Regional Children's Team will be taking a programming break from Thursday, May 1 - Saturday, Saturday, May 31st   to prepare for summer programming. ...

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

Picnic Party Children's Scavenger Hunt @ North

Friday, May 16, 2025 • All day

North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd)

Visit the Information Desk at North Regional Library to pick up a scavenger hunt sheet. Then, explore the Children's Area to find 8 hidden pictures of picnic items.  Once you've completed the hunt and filled out your sheet, return it to...

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten, Pre-School

Star Wars Scavenger Hunt @ Southwest

Friday, May 16, 2025 • All day

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

We've hidden 10 pictures of Star Wars characters all over the kids section - can you find them all?! Stop by the children's desk to get started. May the force be with you! If you have any questions, please contact us @ 919-560-8592.

Ages: Baby, Elementary School, Kindergarten, Pre-School, Toddler, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds, DPS

READ TO ME (Pet Partners)

Saturday, May 17, 2025 • 10:00am - 11:00am

North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd) (North Regional - Children's Programming Room)

Relax and read with a dog and other animals! This program brings dogs and reluctant readers together for 15 minutes of companionship. Handlers and their dogs provide quiet encouragement to children so that they might develop a love of...

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

Registration full.

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

Ms. Teresa dancing with the kids during Toddler Storytime

Ms. Teresa

Location: East Regional Library

Teresa grew up in a small mountain town where it usually snows about six months out of the year, and because of this, the local bookstore and library were her happy places. These places taught her at a young age how literature can serve a community and how books can change lives. She has always wanted to be surrounded by books, and she enjoys helping people, so she decided to make librarianship her career. Teresa is the Children’s Librarian for the East Regional Library. She loves picture books, and some of her favorites are The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield; You Matter by Christian Robinson; and Whose Moon is That? by Kim Krans. Teresa’s all-time favorite children’s book character is Ramona Quimby, from the Beverly Cleary books, because of Ramona’s whimsy and creativity. Aside from reading, Teresa enjoys writing, travel, gardening, and making arts and crafts in her spare time.

Pronouns: she/her

Meet all the children’s librarians >