DLF Supports Vital Programs Like These!
We recently awarded our 2024-25 grants to the following deserving projects:
A Boost for Book Babies
Book Babies is a program at North Regional Library to fund a lapsit-style story time for children 0-18 months. Funds will be used for replacement materials and for funding professional services in parental/caregiver education. Twenty minutes of structured reading is followed by 45 minutes of unstructured play. The goals of the project are cognitive development, physical development, social & emotional development, education support, and community building among the caregivers.
Adult Study Hall
This funded request provides for an extension of a program begun at Main Library. It provides space and times for users to co-work, take care of personal business and do other tasks in a supportive environment led by an executive coach. The program will expand to quarterly workshops through the Small Business Center.
The African American Legacy in Gardening and Horticulture
The African American Horticulture project is a two-day, national symposium scheduled for March, 2025 at Hayti Heritage Center. An evening viewing of the documentary Family Tree will be followed by a day of 4 plenary sessions featuring nationally known horticultural experts and environmentalists and regional scholars and ecologists. Partnerships include Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the N.C Botanical Garden, and Hayti Heritage Center with media coverage anticipated from Due South. The profound history of African American Horticulture serves as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and deep-rooted connection to the land that has sustained Black communities for generations.
Celebrating Our Stories – Stagville (North Carolina Collection)
Funding will purchase supplies for craft activities for the September 14 family day “Celebrating Our Stories” as well as for honorariums for local guest artists. The event is part of a series of programs supporting the Stagville Memorial Project.
Cementing Durham County Library’s Story Walk
In collaboration with Ellerbee Creek Watershed Association, story-telling signs have been installed along trails in Durham. The team desires more permanent signage as well as two additional story walks. The initiative increases information outside of library buildings, allows opportunities for exercise and improved literacy skills, and elevates the well-being of Durham residents through exercise and time spent in nature.
Diggin Durham
The “seeds” program is Durham County’s longest running DLF funded project. (Not including Humanities Programming.) Last year 13,210 seed packets were distributed through card catalogs at all locations, as well as the community garden at Bragtown. The project supports programming related to gardening and biodiversity with partners including Durham County Extension Office, Master Gardeners, Duke Gardens, Durham Bee City, and Keep Durham Beautiful.
Fiesta Cultura
Fiesta Cultura is a festival of over 20 workshops and events designed to highlight and support Hispanic culture through activities like traditional dance workshops, mariachi performances, cooking classes, art & photo exhibits, author panels and other cultural programs. The aim is to deepen understanding and appreciation of Hispanic heritage while also boosting childhood literacy through engaging activities for children and families.
On-Demand Spanish Interpretations
Durham County Library has translated its website into Spanish, but events and programming are often only offered in English. This “on-demand” format allows staff to expand the reach of their innovative programs to the Spanish speaking members of our community, allowing the Library to keep pace with a growing segment of Durham County population.
Spanish Language Classes
Funding covers the remaining instructor fees and materials for a completion of Beginning Spanish and a mid-level class to follow. This program consistently attracts 100+ waiting list hopefuls and is designed for both personal and professional purposes.
Triangle Comics Creator Network Anthology
The Library sponsors a community group founded in 2018 for the purpose of developing the Durham comics community. The group seeks to continue their publication of comics anthologies for distribution at Free Comic Book Day and local comic bookstores.