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Missed out on this swag giveaway?

Good news! You've got another chance!

For National Library Card Sign-Up Month (all of September), we're giving away one Golden Library Card from Libro.fm good for 6 free audiobooks of your choosing and some sweet Durham Tech Library swag. . Must have a valid library account to be eligible to win but--more good news!-- you can complete the request/renewal form online by going to the Library Account Registration form found at the link under Announcements on the Durham Tech Library homepage.

It may still be somewhat steamy outside, but September 22 (at 2:19 PM, to be precise) marks the official start of fall with the Autumnal Equinox.

We asked and you answered-- What was our Durham Tech community up to this summer?

Faculty, staff, and students chimed in, and we've got a selection of books from the Durham Tech Library collection inspired by their stories.

This summer, Durham Tech Assistant Accountant Alma Acosta discovered the magic of gooey marshmallows and melted chocolate—making s’mores with her seven-year-old daughter. It wasn’t just a snack; it was a memory in the making. Sticky fingers and laughter. What better way to spend time with family?

Opticianry student Ashley Washington spent her summer learning at Durham Tech and giving back through Project Sight. Helping a child pick out their first pair of eyeglasses and hearing them exclaim, “I CAN SEE!” was a moment that stuck with her. It’s a reminder that small acts of service can have a huge impact—and that clarity, both literal and emotional, is a gift.

Math instructor Catherine Thomas’s highlight was introducing her one-year-old daughter to the Pacific Ocean. Watching her tiny feet touch the cold water for the first time was a moment of awe and wonder. A family trip, a first experience, and a memory that will ripple through time.

For Durham Tech Library Technician Charles Farrow, summer means tradition. Every year, he and his wife celebrate their anniversary at Virginia Beach, strolling the boardwalk and soaking in the timeless charm. After 34 years of marriage, the magic hasn’t faded—it’s only grown stronger.

Durham Tech Foundation Director of Grants Eileen Hammond's summer was a whirlwind of creativity and adventure. From visiting a Bavarian castle to rescuing a kitten, learning the accordion, and selling her art as Tigress’s “maker of the month,” she packed a lifetime of stories into one season. Oh, and she worked a lot too—but who’s counting?

Associate in Science student Huong Nguyen’s summer was defined by a one-month research project that tested her resilience and deepened her love for science. From gel mishaps to emotional breakthroughs, she found friendship, purpose, and a dream of becoming a lab technician.

Executive Director of Orange County Operations Jaclyn Krohn made the most of her summer by traveling with her granddaughters and family. Even short getaways can be powerful rechargers—especially when they’re filled with love, laughter, and the joy of discovery.

Clincal coordinator and Nurse Aide I instructor Jacqueline Moss published her bookWhen Staying Hurts: The Cost of Holding on Too Long and spent time with family. Her story is one of endurance, awakening, and healing.

Durham Tech Police Officer Jeff Adams’s summer was all about quality time with family. Whether traveling or relaxing, those moments mattered most. Now, he’s ready to embrace the crisp air and cozy vibes of fall—but the warmth of summer memories lingers.

College Success Instructor Jen Macy took a meaningful trip to Ireland with her mom and son, fulfilling her mother’s lifelong dream. From the Cliffs of Moher to Dublin’s pubs, it was a journey of love, culture, and unforgettable moments.

Medical Assisting graduate (!) Jessica Alvarez's summer was a milestone—she completed her clinicals and earned her medical assisting diploma. It was a season of hard work, growth, and accomplishment. Hats off to her dedication and success!

Orange County Campus Coordinator Rhiannah Holt’s summer was marked by her mom’s beautiful beach wedding. It was a time for family, celebration, and soaking up the sun at Carolina Beach—especially at her favorite spot, The Seawitch. Love was in the air, and joy was everywhere.

Durham Tech Library Director Julie Humphrey traveled to Barcelona and was awestruck by Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces—La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló. As a lover of beautiful design, she found herself immersed in a world of wonder. Spain’s charm left a lasting impression.

English as a Second Language Director Karin Abell’s summer kicked off with Durham’s quirky Beaver Queen Pageant, which she helped organize. This year, the event became a nonprofit and raised $9,000 for Keep Durham Beautiful. From surprise contestants to film premieres, her summer was a blend of activism, creativity, and community spirit.

Occupational Therapy Assistant instructor Lauren Jones reunited with her college roommate in Spring Lake, NJ, introducing her daughter to old friends and new adventures. From seafood feasts to beach days and poolside fun, it was a summer of reconnection and sweet treats.

Library Technician Lorell Butler’s summer was simple and serene—eating shrimp under the pier at the beach. Sometimes, the best memories are the quiet ones, where the breeze, the waves, and the flavors come together in perfect harmony.

Health and Wellness Admissions Specialist Nikki Barth’s trip to Gatlinburg, TN was filled with breathtaking views and family fun. Her favorite moment? Riding the chairlift to Anakeesta and feeling the cool breeze—while her husband kept his eyes firmly shut! A memory that’s equal parts scenic and hilarious.

And an anonymous reflection on our lab spaces during the summer from your self-identified lab gremlins--

"There is a certain kind of magic to a quiet lab – a certain kind of peace to moving through spaces that are liminal to others, but endemic to us. Low lights, the hum of old equipment, even the pungency of formalin, all swirl in a sort of secretive dance. Hidden from the students and even the faculty, the empty labs are home only to us, the weary lab staff, shuffling off to prepare the next reagent.

While the instructors are all away and the students off enjoying the summer, the lab team [is] already hard at work preparing for the fall semester. We are the secretive gremlins, darting between stocks rooms and ensuring some 70 sections of labs every week run smoothly. I always like to say, if we have done our job well you will never see us. Such is doubly true for the summer, where the job of preparation is so much more than simply pulling boxes and tossing labels.

It starts with some 4,000lbs of dead cats, ordered nearly a year ago now thanks to shortages (truly, I cannot make up the dead cat shortage currently sweeping the nation). The feline cadavers and other accoutrements must be sorted and organized, before being carted off to the stock rooms and A and P labs. And just as soon as they can be laid down, the inventory of some 1,000 unique reagents must be updated and run through. Think library database, except decentralized and accessible to the full breadth of instructors. An excellent resource for finding any chemical at the drop of a hat – if only it remains accurate. And thus, we comb the dark archives, hunting down reagents dating all the way back to the 1960’s, all in an effort to ensure each thing is to its place.

All the while we reset and reorganize, undoing the hectic misplacements of the past semester. You might catch the faint whiff of Fabuloso. Not only is it excellent for cleaning floors, but it contains no ammonia and no bleach, things you have to watch out for when cleaning chemistry labs full of chemicals that react violently with both. And check all the drawers and cabinets, those too. The equipment here is sentient and meddlesome, leave it be for but a semester and things will have mysteriously moved or disappeared altogether! And so we check, carefully and completely, cleaning as we go, tireless stewards of spaces well worn.

As we return for the semester, I encourage you to consider:

Each bottle of reagent and solution, every thermometer and weight boat, the agar plates and dissection specimens, the glassware and spectrophotometers, even the refrigerators and grow lights, all of these things are placed, and often handmade, with intention by a team of skilled lab staff toiling away, often without credit or acknowledgement -- all to make learning science not only possible, but enjoyable.

I hope you, the students and faculty know that, even if you don’t see us often, we are here. We care about you – about your safety and success. And we hope, more than anything, that you have a successful semester ahead."