Sitting at Home Waiting for Snow? Check Out Our Virtual Library Services

Sumo Humphrey, a precious little gray cat, looks out the screen door at snow while wearing an adorable red, puffy cat jacket

Waiting for snow like sweet little Sumo Humphrey in his warm, ADORABLE winter jacket?

Just taking virtual classes this semester?

Good news is that you don’t have to be on campus to take advantage of lots of Durham Tech Library resources and services!

Keep reading for information about our virtual library services AND a bonus joyful dog video! (Click that Read more link!)


While you can’t do research on our PCs when we’re closed, you’re always able to access our databases from your home. Either start at the Search Library box on our Library homepage or go directly to your favorite database using our Articles, Journals, and Databases box. You can also access course-specific databases from the Research Guides page.

Durham Tech Library website screenshot with six orange navigation boxes, the top three are research/resource related

(Instructors, if you want us to add resources or create a guide specifically for you or your class with helpful library resources, let us know via email– library @ durhamtech.edu.)

To access Library resources off-campus, log in using your Durham Tech username and password, the same you use for Sakai or Self-Service (last name, first initial, last four digits of your Durham Tech ID number, all in lowercase with no spaces or punctuation).


Need a computer to do research or work for your classes at home? If a Chromebook will do, current students can borrow a Chromebook with approval while they are enrolled. While we can’t get a Chromebook to you without coming on campus, you can start the process by filling out the Technology Request form while at home.

(Faculty and staff, reach out to ITS if you have at-home computing needs, including remote access.)

Just need a Chromebook briefly (for up to a week)? We have short-term checkout available (depending on availability) as part of our Tech Tools lending program, where you can also check out webcams, headset microphones, lapel or tabletop microphones, ring lights, video cameras, a digital camera, and more! Borrower’s agreement form is required and you will have to come on campus to pick up your tech tools, but you can check out what’s available while you’re at home.

If you need a computer for a class that requires Proctorio, fill out the Technology Request form.


Need help doing research or have a question?

Scroll down to the Connect with a Librarian box on the Library homepage for links to our Library Chat (staffed by your Durham Tech library staff from 8:00 until 5:00 Monday through Friday) and other ways to get in touch with us with your questions. (The Chat option fixed at the top of the Durham Tech page will help you with your Durham Tech questions but will not connect you to your Durham Tech Library staff.)

And be sure to check out some awesome research tips and tricks from our Durham Tech Librarians!


Need a book to read?

You can always take advantage of our ebook databases or our selection of more contemporary audiobooks and ebooks through Dogwood Digital Library.

Dogwood Digital Library landing page Jan. 2022, displaying Just Added books

You can read or listen to Dogwood Digital checkouts on your computer or phone or digital reading device (such as a tablet) via the Libby app.

Add Dogwood Digital to your libraries and login the same way as you access your other Library resources off-campus– use your Durham Tech username and password as your “library card” info.

Like some thematic reading? Check out our librarian curated ‘Looking for Snow’ Dogwood Digital collection!

Looking for Snow? Collection, including One More River to Cross, A Wild Winter Swan, Road Out of Winter, Winter Garden, etc.

Remember that while hard work and taking advantage of resources is important, it’s also important to take breaks and enjoy the world around you, much like Reference Librarian Kyle Minton’s adopted dog son Percy is doing as he frolics in the yard.

Questions? Feel free to contact us either via email or chat.