Library Services
The library offers free services to all residents of Durham County.
Library Cards
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.
Institutional Library Cards
Day care centers, schools, prisons, rest homes and hospitals can get an institutional library card to help fulfill their institutions' missions. Please fill out the Institutional Borrower's Application, 
and refer to the information sheet when filling out the form.
Loan Policies
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.
Books
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.
Research and Reference Services
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:
Business Reference
The Business Room on the second floor of the Main Library has many resources to help you invest, find information about a specific business or businesses, start a small business, form a nonprofit, look for grants and more. Come to the second floor reference desk in the Main Library, call 560-0110, or email cpassmore@durhamcountync.gov for more information.
Interlibrary Loan
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.
Periodicals and Microforms Collection
Our Periodicals Department on the second floor of the Main Library has a large print collection as well as many titles on microfilm and microfiche, including the Herald Sun going back to the 1870s, census material not available through the internet, and much more. Please call the Periodicals Department at 560-0115 or the Main Library Reference Desk at 560-0110 with your questions. Many magazine and journal titles are also available through the library’s databases.
Project LIFT: Learning Information for Today
The LIFT (Learning Information for Today) Librarian is available by appointment to help with job searching, proofreading resumes and cover letters, and practicing to interview. To make an appointment, call 560-0125.
Outreach Services and Community Services
Outreach Services provide access to library services through the Bookmobile which visits preschools, daycares, public housing neighborhoods, communities, and shopping centers not located near a facility library and OASIS (Older Adult and Shut-In Service) which provides reading materials and programs to people in nursing and rest homes, retirement communities, senior centers, and to homebound individuals.
Computers
You can sign in to an available computer in the library by typing in the number from the back of your library card or computer use card. If you do not have a library card and do not have ID you can get a computer use card from the check out desk of your local branch. You can upgrade this card at any time to a library card which will allow you to check out all the materials that the library has by showing proof of residency and photo ID.
Scanners are available to the public at the East Regional, North Regional, Main and Parkwood branches.
Book a Meeting Room
The Durham County Library makes its meeting room facilities available for public use. All meetings must be free and open to the public. No fees, dues, or donations may be charged to or solicited from those attending meetings held in library facilities. Please read the policy before submitting your application.
Directions to book a meeting room: Go to the policy page. After reading the policy, click on the I AGREE button. Uncheck all rooms in the left side selection box. Select the room and click Refresh. Select the date from the calendar by clicking on the day's number. Select time time. Enter information in the *required fields. (An email address is required.) Click on Verify Request. Review your request. Submit your request. You will be notified via email that your request has been submitted to the library for review. Library staff will review your reservation and send an email confirming or denying your request. If a confirmation is sent and payment is required, please make your payment at the branch. A confirmation email will be sent once payment has been received. Please contact the branch directly if you have any questions or need to cancel your request.
Book a Study Room at North or East Regional
The Durham County Library provides study rooms for individual or group study and tutorials, as well as small group meetings at the Regional Libraries.
Directions to book a study room: Go to the Durham County Library Room Reservation System Uncheck all rooms in the left side selection box. Select the room and click Refresh. Select the date from the calendar by clicking on the day's number. Select the time. Enter information in the *required fields. Click on Verify Request. Review your request. Submit your request. Please contact the branch directly if you have any questions or need to cancel your request.
Disabled Adult Services
Services are available for the blind and visually impaired, deaf and hearing impaired and those with impaired mobility. Read more.
Last Update: February 3, 2009
