The mission of the Durham County Public Library is to provide to the entire community books, services, and other resources which inform, inspire learning, cultivate understanding, and excite the imagination.
We are committed to providing free and convenient access to all residents of Durham County.
The HORIZON automated circulation system enables the library to keep track of all materials borrowed and returned, fines owed, payments received, and materials placed on hold. HORIZON offers quick access to information about materials in the library system, including the location and status of each copy. The catalog includes books, recordings, magazines, audiobooks, and other non-print materials. Patrons with personal computers and modems may access HORIZON on the Library's Web site.
Library cards are available to all residents of Durham County free of charge. Positive identification (preferably NC driver's license or special ID) with a current address is required. Applications for children under 18 must have the signature of a parent or legal guardian. Library privileges are available to non-residents at a charge of $45.00 per year.
Most material (audiobooks, book/tape sets, books, puzzles and videos) may be borrowed for 21 days and may be renewed five times. DVDs circulate for 7 days but may be renewed five times. Reference materials are not available for circulation but may be used in the library. Reserves may be placed on items that are currently checked out. You will be notified when the item is available.
Click here to view or print a complete list of Borrowers' Privileges & Fees.
| Audiobooks, book/tape sets, books, puzzles, compact discs (CDs) and videos | Maximum allowed: 50. |
| DVDs | Maximum allowed: 5 per card. Checkout period: 1 week. Renewals allowed: 5. Fees: $.25 per day late fee per item. 3-day grace period; $1 per item charged on 4th day overdue. Maximum fine: $5 per item and $25 per library card. |
| Lost library cards | $1 replacement fee |
| Audio Visual rental equipment | $5 per day |
Over 470,000 fiction and non-fiction books are available at the Durham County Library, including two special reference collections -- the Selena W. Wheeler Collection of African-American materials housed at the Stanford L. Warren Branch and the North Carolina Collection housed at the Main Library. The North Carolina Collection includes books by N.C. authors, books about N.C., state and local publications, maps, and a collection of photographs of early Durham. Staff offers assistance with state and local history and genealogy. The Main Library also offers an extensive collection of Large Print books.
Some reference service is provided at all the library branches either in person or by telephone. The most extensive reference collection is at the Main Library, which also offers the following specialized services and collections:
Provides U.S. and international company directories, CD-ROM census information and indexes to business and newspaper articles, investment information sources, state and federal tax guides and tax forms, annual reports, periodicals, and telephone directories.
Provides access to materials in the collections of participating libraries across the United States. Loans may be requested at the Reference desk or at any branch.
Has more than 800 magazine and newspaper titles and provides a variety of index services, including Infotrac II, Health Reference Center, Newspaper Abstracts, and PhoneDisc USA. Magazines, local newspapers dating back to the 1870's, the Federal Census of N.C., and other materials may be found on microfiche or microfilm. Microform readers and coin-operated printers are available.
Offers educational and career information, job listings, literacy materials for tutors and students, college catalogs, financial aid forms, resume and job-hunting consultations.
provides telephone reference service for hearing impaired patrons.
| public-access internet | word processing stations |
| voter registration forms | displays & exhibits |
| meeting rooms | coin-operated photocopiers |
| volunteer opportunities | community bulletin boards |
The Friends of the Durham Library, Inc. is a non-profit organization of volunteers who support library related programs and activities for children and adults. Through money raised at the semiannual book sales, they underwrite special programs and provide financial gifts for the purchase of books, equipment, and other materials for the library. Ask for a membership brochure.
Return to the top of pageLast update: Sept. 1, 2007