When we first began Breastfeed Durham, we knew that our libraries were essential partners. Over the years, our work with Durham’s public libraries has shown us how families are welcomed to breastfeed, and we’ve watched a clear, consistent message of support grow stronger.
Through ongoing conversations with county commissioners and library leadership, we’ve seen real change. The Main Library downtown now has a designated lactation space, and across the system there are spaces for staff to breastfeed or pump—at every location except one, where staff and leadership are instead very intentional about making sure breastfeeding is welcome everywhere. In reality, all of Durham’s libraries welcome breastfeeding throughout their branches.
This shift didn’t happen overnight. Much of the progress is thanks to the steady, personal work of Bernadette Greene, who has walked into every library in Durham County with the same question: “Are we creating a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Library here?”
Bernadette didn’t just drop off flyers. She sat in children’s corners talking with parents, asked staff what they were noticing, and listened for stories of where families felt supported. Sometimes she found mothers already nursing openly between the stacks. Other times, staff themselves requested more signage, private spaces, or training to help them better support families.
With Durham County Public Libraries’ leadership, we’ve built a foundation for partnership. Staff at several branches have asked for workshops, families have requested children’s books with breastfeeding images, and county commissioners, who oversee the system, have remained supportive of our efforts to normalize breastfeeding across Durham.
Today, Bernadette can look back and see the path we’ve traveled:
- From no lactation spaces → to staff spaces at nearly every library and a permanent public lactation space at the Main Library.
- From isolated conversations → to a growing county-wide partnership.
- From breastfeeding happening quietly in corners → to a culture that celebrates and affirms breastfeeding as normal.
Libraries in Durham County
Bernadette’s journey has touched every branch in the system, including:
- Main Library (downtown)
- North Regional Library
- South Regional Library
- East Regional Library
- Southwest Regional Library
- Stanford L. Warren Branch
Each of these spaces now has a direct connection with Breastfeed Durham, and together we are building momentum toward a fully Breastfeeding Family Friendly library system.
Durham’s story is a reminder that change doesn’t just come from policies. It comes from relationships, persistence, and presence. We are deeply grateful to our library partners who have welcomed us into their branches, answered our questions, and built trust with us. Together, we’re making sure families in Durham can pick up a book, attend storytime, and feed their babies—comfortably and confidently.