Guide to Triad Area Libraries: Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point & Beyond (2026)

Last updated: September 2026 | By Triad Moms on Main

The Triad’s public library systems are some of the most genuinely valuable and underutilized resources available to families in this area. Free storytimes for babies and toddlers every week. Museum passes that let you walk into local attractions at no cost. Seed libraries. Makerspaces with 3D printers. Summer reading challenges with real prizes. Zoom passes. Genealogy resources. Book clubs for every age. And of course, millions of books, audiobooks, ebooks, DVDs, and digital resources available with nothing but a free library card.

Whether you’ve been a loyal patron for years or you moved to the Triad recently and haven’t explored what your local library system offers beyond checking out books, this guide covers every public library system in the Triad — what makes each one distinctive, their branches, their family programs, and the specific perks that make getting a library card one of the smartest things you can do as a Triad parent.

Every card is free for residents. Every story time is free. Most programs are free. The only thing it costs you is the drive.

Why Your Library Card Is Worth More Than You Think

Before we dive into individual systems, here’s a quick overview of what Triad library cards unlock that most families don’t realize:

• Museum passes — several Triad library systems offer free museum admission passes that cardholders can borrow like books. More on this in each system’s section below — it’s genuinely one of the best money-saving perks available to Triad families.
• Digital resources — ebooks, audiobooks (Libby/OverDrive), streaming music (Freegal), streaming video (Kanopy), digital magazines, academic databases, and more — all free with your card.
• Summer Reading programs — all Triad library systems run Summer Reading challenges from June through August with free programs, prizes, and activities for babies through adults.
• Storytimes — every system offers free weekly storytimes tailored to different ages (baby lap sit, toddler, preschool, family) throughout the year.
• Technology and makerspaces — 3D printers, recording studios, podcast equipment, and computer labs at select branches.
• Meeting rooms — free community meeting space available to reserve for groups and organizations.
• Interlibrary loan — if your library doesn’t have what you need, they’ll get it from another system.
• And a fact worth emphasizing: you can often get a library card at multiple systems, especially if you live or work near county lines. Emily Eagle, one of our own Triad Moms on Main team members, is on a personal mission to collect a library card from all 50 states — and she’d absolutely encourage you to get every Triad card you qualify for.

Now, let’s break down Public libraries by County:

1. Greensboro Public Library — Guilford County

Website: library.greensboro-nc.gov
Phone: (336) 373-2471
Card eligibility: Free for Guilford County residents, property owners, employees, and students

The Greensboro Public Library system serves Greensboro and northern Guilford County with eight branch locations — making it one of the most geographically accessible library systems in the Triad. Each branch offers the full core collection alongside weekly story times, afternoon programs for school-age children, book discussion groups, and meeting space.

Branches and Hours

1. Greensboro Central Library

• Address: 219 North Church Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm; Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday 2–6pm
• This location is situated in the heart of the cultural district between the Greensboro Historical Museum and the Cultural Center, directly across from the Greensboro Children’s Museum. They feature more than 100 public computers, a dedicated children’s floor, a Popular Library with fiction and audiovisual materials, and a second-floor nonfiction and a research collection.

2. Hemphill Branch

• Address: 2301 W. Vandalia Road, Greensboro, NC 27407
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm; Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday 2–6pm
• Hemphill Library offers a broad range of children’s programming with a focus on early literacy, which includes story times for toddlers and preschoolers. There are 22 computers with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Internet access. 

3. Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch

• Address: 1420 Price Park Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm; Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday 2–6pm
• The branch is located in the heart of Price Park, a 98-acre tract. In addition to popular collections, this location has a unique selection of nature, gardening, and environmental resources for children and adults. The library has 25 computers with Microsoft Office applications and Internet access. This branch also offers a variety of story times for toddlers and preschoolers.

4. Vance H. Chavis Lifelong Learning Branch

• Address: 900 S. Benbow Road, Greensboro, NC 27406
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm; Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday 2–6pm
• Features Greensboro Public Library’s first computer lab, specialty classes for seniors and teens, and an extensive African-American fiction and nonfiction collection.

5. Benjamin Branch

• Address: 1530 Benjamin Parkway, Greensboro, NC 27408
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm; Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday Closed
• Located in the Guilford Hills neighborhood. Features a broad range of children’s programming including story times for toddlers and preschoolers. There is also meeting space, 24 computers with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and Internet access.

6. Glenwood Branch

• Address: 1901 W. Florida Street, Greensboro, NC 27403
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm; Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday Closed
• This Branch offers Children & Teen Programs, has 12 computers with Microsoft Office software and internet access, and materials for learning English, as well as a foreign language learning collection.

7. McGirt-Horton Branch

• Address: 2501 Phillips Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm; Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday Closed
• A 10,000-square-foot building with bright, high-ceiling interiors and almost 3,000 square feet of covered exterior space. Features a teen wing with video lounge and multimedia lab, a Special Collections area with African American materials, and 30+ public computers. The children’s area contains special interactive features that encourage discovery and literacy. The Special Collections area includes the Library’s African-American collection. 

8. Glenn McNairy Branch

• Address: 4860 Lake Jeanette Road, Greensboro, NC 27405
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm; Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday Closed
• This unique, open concept facility engages the whole community through defined spaces for collaboration, reading, and early literacy. Check out the Navigator, a vibrant Teen Zone, and the cozy Elizabeth Cox McNairy Living Room. They feature 3-D printing, a laptop kiosk, 11 desktop computers, and free WiFi. They offer a number of programs for children, families, and teens, including All Abilities programs for people with special needs.

Family Highlights at Greensboro Public Library

• Weekly storytimes at every branch for preschoolers and babies
• Afternoon programs for school-age children
• Book discussion groups for all ages
• Museum pass lending (verify current partners at the library website)
• 100+ public computers at Central Library plus computer labs and training
• North Carolina Collection and genealogy resources at Central Library
• LeBauer Park pop-up programming through Central Library (adjacent location)

2. Forsyth County Public Library — Winston-Salem

Be sure to check out our post 10 Things You May Not Know About Your Forsyth County Public Library

Museum Pass Lending — Three Passes

Forsyth County Public Library cardholders can borrow passes to three institutions: Kaleideum (up to six children plus two adults per pass), Reynolda House Museum of American Art (two adults per pass), and NCMA Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA — up to eight people per pass, a $56 value). These passes can be checked out for up to a week from any branch and must be returned to the branch where they were borrowed. Late fees apply to overdue passes.

Highlights

The system offers rotating art exhibits on the second floor of Central Library, makerspaces with a 3D printer and other technology, genealogy and Forsyth County historical artifact resources in the North Carolina Collection, and guidance for small business and nonprofit startup. No late fees for most materials (exceptions: museum passes and some digital devices).

Branches and Hours

1. Forsyth County Central Library

• Adress: 660 W. 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
• Hours: Monday–Wednesday 9am–9pm; Thursday–Friday 9am–6pm; Saturday 9am–5pm; Sunday 1–5pm
• This great location in downtown Winston-Salem offers three floors, a large children’s area with computers and toys, second-floor art gallery, a makerspace, and the full suite of Forsyth County Library services.

2. Carver School Road Branch

• Address: 4915 Lansing Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27105
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed on Sunday
• The branch covers 10,000 square feet and features contemporary Afrocentric decor, which reflects the neighborhood’s African American heritage. There is a large collection of African American literature. They offer book clubs and meeting spaces.

3. Paddison Memorial Branch

• Address: 248 Harmon Lane, Kernersville, NC 27284.
• Hours: Monday thru Wednesday from 9am-8pm; Friday from 9am-6pm; Saturday from 10am-5pm; and Closed on Sundays.
• Features: Children’s story times, Tween to Teen events (Lego camps, STEAM events), Large children’s book area with computers and a room for events, a Teens area, a 10 person makerspace with a 3D printer and sewing machines, an auditorium for events, conference and meetings rooms, a courtyard, and tons of events from kids to adults.

4. Southside Branch

• Address: 3185 Buchanan Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27127
• Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–9pm; Thursday–Friday 10am–6pm; Saturday 10am–5pm; Sunday Closed
• The branch features a reading nook with a bay window and an outdoor patio, a full range of library services to the community with special emphasis on lifelong learning, English as a Second Language (ESL), bilingual programming, and support for students and children’s services.

5. Lewisville Branch

• Address:  6490 Shallowford Road, Lewisville, NC 27023
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed on Sunday
• They offer book clubs, digitization Stations, and meeting spaces. A monthly art show in the auditorium features local artists and information from community groups.

6. Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center

• Address: 1110 East Seventh Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed on Sunday
• The Branch has a mission to preserve African American heritage, history, and culture. Their collection serves as a repository for local African American history and experiences. They offer book clubs, computer services, and meeting spaces.

7. Clemmons Branch

• Address: 6365 James Street, Clemmons, NC
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed on Sunday
• The 20,000-square foot branch has spaces devoted to teens and children. The branch also has a large auditorium and smaller multi-purpose room, a makerspace, three small meeting rooms, a quiet reading room and a sunny courtyard.

8. Reynolda Manor Branch

• Address: 2839 Fairlawn Drive NW, Winston-Salem, NC
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Reynolda Manor Branch is the largest branch in the system, with 17,000 square feet of space. They offer crafting programs including knitting, lacing, and other crafting clubs. They feature book clubs and meeting spaces.

9. Rural Hall/Stanleyville Branch

• Address: 7125 Broad Street, Rural Hall, NC
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed on Sunday
• The south wall of the library features glass-faced masonry solar walls, and a skylight to provide light and warmth to the auditorium. They offer book clubs, Spanish Language collections, and meeting spaces.

10. Walkertown Branch

• Address:  2969 Main Street, Walkertown, NC 27051
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed on Sunday
• The Walkertown Library serves the town of Walkertown, NC and the surrounding communities of King, Walnut Cove, Belews Creek, and Germanton. This dynamic community with strong family and church ties is experiencing rapid growth, and the library staff strives to keep up with the needs of this expanding, diverse population. It offers book clubs and meeting spaces.

Family Highlights at Forsyth County Public Library

• Three museum passes (Kaleideum, Reynolda House, NCMA Winston-Salem)
• Weekly storytimes at every branch
• 97+ free programs per week across the system during summer
• Digby card Summer Reading program for children
• 3D printer and makerspace at Central Library
• No overdue fines on most circulating materials
• Rotating art exhibit at Central Library
• Small business and nonprofit startup resources

3. High Point Public Library

High Point operates its own library system separate from the county-wide Greensboro system, with a main library and additional service locations.

Branches & Hours

1. Main Library – High Point Public Library

• Address: 901 N Main Street, High Point, NC 27262
• Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm; Friday & Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sunday: 1:30pm-5:30pm
• The main High Point Public Library is a well-loved community resource with a strong children’s section with tables specifically designed for young learners, public computers, an extensive collection spanning digital and print formats, and robust programming throughout the year. The system hosts approximately 2,693 programs annually across its locations — one of the highest per-system program counts in the region.

2. Deep River Recreation Center — Self-Service Library Location

• Address: 1529 Skeet Club Road, High Point, NC 27265
• This is not a traditional branch library with shelves, librarians and a reading room. It is a very useful remote service point. The library has self-service lockers there for materials you’ve placed on hold.
• How to use: You select Deep River Recreation Center as your pickup location when placing a hold. Once your items are ready, the library sends you an email checkout receipt. You can then retrieve them from the lockers using your physical library card.
• Pickup availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • There is also a walk-up drop box for returning library materials

3. Books & Beyond Mobile Library

• Address: 901 N. Main Street, High Point, NC
• The Books & Beyond vehicle is the system’s mobile-library service. It isn’t a permanent branch. Instead, it takes library materials and services into the community at scheduled locations.
• For the current route/stops and schedule, the library’s calendar or customer-service desk is the best source because mobile-library stops can change.

Family Highlights at High Point Public Library

• Strong children’s programming and dedicated children’s area
• 2,693+ programs per year across the system
• Part of the broader Guilford County digital resource network

4. Alamance County Public Libraries — Burlington Area

Alamance County Public Libraries serves the Burlington, Graham, and Mebane areas with four main locations — making it a genuinely robust system for a mid-sized county. The system receives more in-person visits than the average North Carolina public library, which is a testament to how well it serves its community.

Special Features Worth Knowing

Seed Library — ACPL offers a seed library where cardholders can borrow free plant seeds for their gardens — one of the most charming and practical library perks in the region. A wonderful discovery for families who garden or want to start.

Makerspace at North Park Library — Technology tools including computers and creative equipment available to cardholders.

Outreach and Home Delivery — For homebound patrons, ACPL delivers large print books, audio CDs, and DVDs through its Outreach Services Program with volunteer delivery throughout the county.

Zoom passes — Cardholders can borrow Zoom passes for online meeting access.

Beanstack Summer Reading tracker — The system uses Beanstack (alamancecounty.beanstack.org) for tracking Summer Reading minutes digitally, with prizes for reaching milestones.

Branches and Hours

1. May Memorial Library (Headquarters)

• Address: 342 S. Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm; Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday 1–5pm
• The main branch and system headquarters, featuring a large local history and genealogy room, a vaulted entry with an eight-panel acrylic painting (“A Library for All Seasons” by local artist Jill Troutman), a carousel horse art installation, meeting room, and the full range of adult and children’s programming.

2. Mebane Public Library

• Address: 101 South First Street, Mebane, NC 27302
• Hours: Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Originally founded in 1936, a community favorite in Mebane. Access to specialty items like blood pressure monitoring kits, board games, and the American Girl Doll collection. Regular events include local author visits, children’s story hours, and adult book clubs.

3. Graham Public Library

• Address: 211 South Main Street, Graham, NC 27253
• Hours: Monday thru Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Friday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday: Closed
• Features 24/7 pickup lockers for convenient hold pickup without waiting in line, and free wifi services. There are meeting rooms available and local community events.

4. North Park Library

• Address: 849 Sharpe Road, Burlington, NC 27217
• Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: Closed
• Features the system’s Makerspace with technology tools available to cardholders. They hold a curated selection of books, materials, and resources for children, adults, and seniors. In addition to computers and free wifi, they have special children’s activities, including story hours and family-friendly STEM story time programs.

5. Mobile Library

• Phone number: (336) 513-9331
• The Mobile Library will travel all over the county, providing the same services as the physical branches. You can put items on hold, have them delivered, and pick them up the next time the Mobile Library comes to your area.
• See their schedule here: https://www.alamance-nc.com/library/services/mobile-library/

Family Highlights at Alamance County Public Libraries

• Free seed library (borrow seeds for your garden!)
• Makerspace at North Park Summer Reading via Beanstack tracker
• Book clubs at every branch (10 total across the system)
• Genealogy and local history collection at May Memorial
• Mobile Library for community outreach
• Home delivery for homebound patrons

5. Davidson County Public Library — Lexington / Thomasville

Davidson County’s public library system serves Lexington, Thomasville, and the broader Davidson County area with five branch locations.

1. Lexington Public Library

• Address: 602 S. Main Street, Lexington, NC 27292
• Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00am – 8:00pm; Friday: 9:00am – 5:30pm; Saturday: 9:30am – 3:00pm
• They provide physical book collection, digital streaming resources, local history archives, and community programs. They also provide access to specialized historical and genealogical records

2. Thomasville Library

• Address:
• Hours:

Family Highlights at Davidson County Public Library

Free storytimes and children’s programming Public computers and WiFi at all locations Meeting room access for community groups Digital resources including ebooks and audiobooks Summer Reading programming

Randolph County Public Library — Asheboro

Website: randolphlibrary.org Address: 201 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 Phone: (336) 318-6800 Card eligibility: Free for Randolph County residents

Randolph County Public Library serves Asheboro and the broader Randolph County area from its headquarters location in Asheboro, with additional branches throughout the county. While slightly further from the core Triad cities, Randolph County is part of the Triad region and families in the southeastern Triad will find this system convenient.

The library offers the full range of public library services including storytimes, children’s programming, summer reading, public computers, WiFi, and digital resource access.

Rockingham County Public Library — Reidsville / Eden / Madison

Website: Search “Rockingham County Public Library NC” for current information Card eligibility: Free for Rockingham County residents

Rockingham County’s library system serves the northern edge of the Triad region with branches in Reidsville, Eden, Madison, Stoneville, and other communities. Families in the Reidsville, Eden, and Madison areas will find this system most convenient.

The Reidsville Public Library in Rockingham County is particularly notable for families visiting the Chinqua-Penn Walking Trail or those who live in the northern Triad communities along the US-29 corridor between Greensboro and the Virginia border.

What You Can Do with Multiple Library Cards

Here’s a tip many Triad families don’t know: if you live near a county line, work in a different county from where you live, or your children attend school in a different county, you may qualify for cards from multiple systems. Each card unlocks different museum passes, different digital collections, and different program access.

Common qualifying overlaps in the Triad:

• Greensboro Public Library and High Point Public Library (both serve Guilford County residents)
• Greensboro Public Library and Alamance County Libraries (for families along the Greensboro-Burlington corridor)
• Forsyth County Library and Davidson County Library (for families in the southwestern Forsyth / northern Davidson area)

Summer Reading Programs Across the Triad

All Triad library systems run Summer Reading programs from approximately June through August. Here’s what to know:

Every system has it. No matter which library you use, there is a free Summer Reading program for kids, teens, and adults.

Registration is usually in June. Programs typically kick off the first or second week of June — check your library’s website in late May for registration links.

Beanstack is widely used. Several Triad libraries use Beanstack (a free app and web tracker) to log reading minutes digitally and track progress toward prizes.

Programs run all summer. It’s not just about reading — every system offers free events, performers, crafts, STEM activities, and special programs throughout the summer months.

Teens and adults participate too. Summer Reading isn’t just for kids — most systems have separate tracks for teens and adults with their own prizes and programs.

Triad Library Storytimes at a Glance

For a complete current schedule of storytimes at all Triad library branches, see our Free Library Storytimes in the Triad guide. Every branch of every system covered in this guide offers free weekly storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers — typically a mix of songs, books, movement, and a simple craft or sensory activity.

FAQs About Triad Area Libraries

Are library cards free in the Triad?

Yes — public library cards are free for residents of the county each system serves. Some systems also extend free cards to residents who work, own property, or attend school in the county.

Which Triad library has the best museum passes?

Forsyth County Public Library currently offers the most museum passes — three: Kaleideum, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, and NCMA Winston-Salem (up to 8 people, a $56 value). Guilford County (Greensboro Public Library) also offers museum pass lending — check the library website for current participating institutions.

Can I get library cards at multiple Triad systems?

Possibly — if you live, work, or attend school in more than one county, you may qualify for cards at multiple systems. Each card unlocks different resources, different museum passes, and different digital collections.

Do Triad libraries have summer programs for kids?

Yes — every public library system in the Triad runs a free Summer Reading program from approximately June through August with free events, activities, and prizes for children, teens, and adults.

What is the best Triad library for families with young children?

Every system has excellent family programming, but the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch (Greensboro), Central Library (Forsyth County, Winston-Salem), and May Memorial Library (Alamance County) all have particularly strong children’s areas and family-focused programming. High Point Public Library is also highly rated for its children’s section.

Which library has a seed library in the Triad?

Alamance County Public Libraries offers a seed library where cardholders can borrow free plant seeds — one of the most distinctive and charming perks in any Triad library system.

Which Triad library has a makerspace or 3D printer?

Forsyth County Public Library (Central Library in Winston-Salem) has a makerspace with a 3D printer and other technology tools. Alamance County’s North Park Library also has a makerspace.

Looking for free library-based activities for your family? See our guides to Free Library Storytimes in the Triad, Free & Low-Cost Activities in the Triad, Why We Love free little library, and Cheap and Free Things to Do in Greensboro NC.

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