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

Butterfly Take and Makes

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 • All day

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Library - Children's Area)

Come grab a Butterfly Take and Make from the Children's department! You will need markers and a spray bottle at home for this craft.

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

HEAD 2 HEAD: Kidz Movie Poll

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 • All day

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

It's time to vote!! A kid's voting station has been set up in the children's area at the South Regional Library. Which is your favorite film: The Little Mermaid (1989) or Tangled (2010)? Let us know!...

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

New Year's Scavenger Hunt at East Regional

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 • All day

East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane)

Can you find all 12 New Year's themed pictures around the children's department? 

Ages: Elementary School, Kindergarten, Pre-School

Winter Coat Scavenger Hunt

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 • All day

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Library - Children's Area)

Come find all the coats hidden around the Children's Play Area and win a prize!

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

Winter Reading Challenge at East Regional

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 • All day

East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane)

Drop by the East Regional Library to pick up a card for winter reading and win a prize! Open to ages 0-12! Return this sheet to the East Regional Library when you complete the challenge to pick up your prize! 

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

Butterfly Take and Makes

Wednesday, January 22, 2025 • All day

Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Library - Children's Area)

Come grab a Butterfly Take and Make from the Children's department! You will need markers and a spray bottle at home for this craft.

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

HEAD 2 HEAD: Kidz Movie Poll

Wednesday, January 22, 2025 • All day

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

It's time to vote!! A kid's voting station has been set up in the children's area at the South Regional Library. Which is your favorite film: The Little Mermaid (1989) or Tangled (2010)? Let us know!...

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

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 Ms. Chelsea

Ms. Chelsea

Location: North Regional Library

Ms. Chelsea moved to Chapel Hill, NC after living in Georgia her whole life! She grew up with her 6 younger siblings! With so many people in one house, Ms. Chelsea always loved the quiet trips to the libraries where she could be anyone she wanted to be. She could be a knight who fights dragons or a scientist who does tons of experiments to help make the world a better place. Though Ms. Chelsea got a bachelor's degree in psychology, she realized that her true passion was advocating for literacy and getting as many books into the hands of young minds as she could! Ms. Chelsea worked as a reference librarian while working on her bachelor’s, which is where she truly learned how serving your local community could change the lives of so many and just how rewarding it was. She moved to Chapel Hill in July of 2021 to begin working on her master’s in library science with a focus in children and teens. This is still a work in progress! She has been with North Regional Library since May 2022, and she absolutely loves hanging out with all the children while they do crafts together or play with bubbles at her storytime! You can catch Ms. Chelsea reading books, watching crime shows, listening to K-pop, cuddling with her cats, or playing Fortnite! Ms. Chelsea is always looking for anime recommendations or a cool new place to see in Durham!

Pronouns: she/her

Meet all the children’s librarians >