Durham County Public Library – Southwest Branch

Beautiful, light-​filled space. Selection isn’t as big as some branches, but you can request books to be delivered to you from any other branch of the library.

This is such a great library branch, with lots of classes offered and friendly, helpful staff. I’ve gone here to pick up books I’ve requested (the library is a great place to get books, take advantage people!) You can keep a book for three weeks and renew it (as long as no one else as requested it) up to five times. There’s a great selection of books, movies and CD’s/Audio at the branch, but there’s always the option to look things up and have them delivered to the branch. Free wireless internet and computers as well.
Don’t miss out of their private rooms, you can rent them for free for up to two hours (per group) with a library card. The rooms have large tables, white boards with markers provided and it’s very quite. It’s a great place to study or host a group.

This is a great library, especially for kids. The librarians in the children’s section are very helpful and enthusiastic. They have programs for early readers, clubs and events with themes ranging from American Girls to Harry Potter, comic books and Legos. All free. There are plenty of computer terminals throughout as well as wifi if you prefer to BYO.

Southwest Branch has come a long way from the slightly run down library it was before renovations. It’s well lit, has plenty of conference room space and just about any title one could want to read. It’s a welcome addition to the South Square area

A great location. Who knew you could get DVD rentals for free at the Library! They hold lots of great events on a fairly regular basis. Check the website calendar to see what free activities are going on.

If you have children and are in the neighborhood, you should definitely check out one of their many programs. They have everything from rhyme time for the little ones to game time in the afternoon for big kids. I’m giving this branch five stars for its kid-​friendliness. For adults, it’s on the small side, but easily accessible and the staff is super helpful.
The little man and I love coming to this library. We have been going to baby lapsit time every Monday and Wednesday, and they have a few sessions each morning, which is great because you never know what a baby’s schedule will be from day to day.
They also have a great children’s section, I can’t wait until my son stops trying to eat everything he touches so that we can read books and explore this section more!

I love coming to this branch of the Durham library. It is close to my house, the staff is always friendly and helpful, it’s always very quiet inside, and they’ve got a wide selection of books. Whenever I come, even if it’s just to pick up an item I placed on hold, I always leave with four or five more books in hand.
The one thing that I really don’t care for in this library is that they don’t separate the fiction by genre. So if you feel like reading a good mystery or sci-​fi novel, and you don’t have a title in mind, you have to browse through every other book on the shelf. If you do have an author or title in mind, this isn’t a problem at all. However, with the way the books are set up now, it’s hard to tell if the library has a good collection of genre fiction, and a little irritating when you’re just looking for a fun, quick, specific read.
All in all, great library, but if they wanted to organize their shelves a little differently, I wouldn’t mind at all. :)

This branch of the Durham library was a pleasant surprise when I stepped inside! There is a wide selection of books, movies, and music available. Also, if another branch of the DCPL has a copy of a book you want, they will gladly send it over to this location for you.

The new Southwest branch is open for your reading pleasure!
What’s new and improved? Well, there’s a lot more floor and shelf space. Granted, I’m not sure the collection as it stands can fill these new shelves yet, but while they grow, there’s actually room to spread out the books and make them browse-​able. No more books crammed side-​by-​side and on top of each other, as often happened in the old building. There’s a designated YA section (which I’m sure I’ll visit clandestinely), new meeting rooms, self-​check-​out terminals (for those days when you don’t want anyone to see your smutty, smutty, romance novels), and a generally brighter, more modern feel all around.