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The Rubenstein Library reading room is open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to contact staff before planning a visit.  Please delay your visit if you are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms. Check the Rubenstein Library’s website before your visit for the most up-to-date information.

Before you arrive

All patrons will need to register with the Rubenstein Library as a researcher and request materials through our online catalog at least 4 business days in advance of your visit. Please note: Restricted material that needs screening by staff may take more than 4 business days to be made available. You will receive an email once your materials have arrived and are ready to be viewed. We also recommend a consultation with a reference librarian to help you get the most out of your time at the library.

Where we are

The Rubenstein Library is located on Duke University's West Campus, alongside the William R. Perkins Library and Bostock Library. You can get to the Rubenstein Library by entering through the tower entrance. Our reading room is straight ahead, after you pass through the stone foyer. 

Our physical address is:
411 Chapel Drive
Durham, NC 27708

Download a map of our location on campus.

The Rubenstein Library does not have a dedicated parking lot, so please review the information below to plan for parking.

Parking

The closest visitor parking to the Rubenstein Library is at the Bryan Center Parking Garage and Visitors' Lot. They are a 5-10 minute walk from the library. Download a map with walking directions from the Bryan Center

  • Bryan Center Parking Garage (Parking Garage IV, 135 Science Dr, Durham, NC 27705): $2 per hour or $12 a day
  • Bryan Center Visitors' Lot, just outside of the parking garage: $2 per hour with a 2-hour time limit
  • If you have mobility and/or access concerns that require parking accommodations, submit a request through the university's Disability Management System

Due to sports games and other campus events, there are times when these parking locations are full or closed to the public. During evenings and weekends, free parking is available on some streets surrounding West Campus and in selected parking lots. Get more information about visitor parking at Duke.

By bus

The easiest way to reach the Rubenstein Library from elsewhere on campus is to take a free Duke Transit bus to West Campus. The main East-West bus (C1) runs seven days a week during the academic year, with service throughout the day and well into the night. Duke Transit buses are open to visitors. Read more about Duke’s bus service (including holiday and summer schedules).

Public transportation

Bus service is available to Duke's Campus from GoDurham and GoTriangle:

    • GoDurham Route 6 and 6B Downtown Durham | Duke West Campus | American Village | Sparger Road ($1.00 fare)
    • GoDurham Route 20 Duke West Campus | South Square | Woodcroft ($1.00 fare)
    • GoTriangle 405 Downtown Durham | Duke University Hospital | Chapel Hill | Carrboro ($1.00 fare)
    • GoTriangle DRX  Downtown Raleigh | NC State University | Downtown Durham | Duke ($3.00 fare)

Check the GoDurham and GoTriangle websites for additional information on schedules, fares, and connections to other routes. 

By car

These driving directions will guide you to the Bryan Center Visitors' Lot and the Bryan Center Parking Garage, which are the closest visitor parking to the Rubenstein Library. Step-by-step directions are also available from Google Maps. 

  • From Chapel Hill on NC 15-501
    Where 15-501 Bypass and 15-501 Business split, take the Bypass (exit right). From 15-501 Bypass, exit at NC 751 (Duke University West Campus) and turn right onto 751 (Cameron Boulevard). Go almost a half a mile, and turn left onto Erwin Road. At the first traffic light turn right onto Towerview Drive. At the first traffic light (second intersection), turn left onto Science Drive. Take the second right into the Bryan Center Visitor's Lot. You can park in the Bryan Center Visitor's Lot, or you can proceed to the Bryan Center Parking Garage immediately on the right. 
  • From Raleigh on I-40 West
    From I-40, take the exit for Durham Freeway (NC-147 North). Take the Fulton Street/Hillandale Road exit and turn left onto Fulton Street. Continue on Fulton Street until it ends at Erwin Road. Turn right onto Erwin Road. At the third traffic light, turn left onto Towerview Road. At the first traffic light (second intersection), turn left onto Science Drive. Take the second right into the Bryan Center Visitor's Lot. You can park in the Bryan Center Visitor's Lot, or you can proceed to the Bryan Center Parking Garage immediately on the right. 
  • From Greensboro on I-40 East and I-85 North
    Take I-40/I-85 until I-40 and I-85 split. Continue on I-85 North. Take exit 172 for NC-147 S toward Durham/Research Triangle Park/Downtown. Continue on NC-147 S for 1.5miles. Take exit 16B for US-15 S/US-501 S toward Chapel Hill. Keep right to take the first exit, Exit 108A, follow signs for Morreene Rd. Turn left onto Morreene Road. After the intersection at Erwin Road, Morreene Road becomes Towerview Drive, continue straight. At the first traffic light (second intersection), turn left onto Science Drive. Take the second right into the Bryan Center Visitor's Lot. You can park in the Bryan Center Visitor's Lot, or you can proceed to the Bryan Center Parking Garage immediately on the right. 
  • From the North on I-85
    From I-85 South, take exit 174A for US-15 S/US-501 S, follow signs for Durham Freeway/Morreene Road. Take Exit 108C-B-A for Durham Freeway/Morreene Road, take Exit 108A, follow signs for Morreene Rd.  Go approximately one mile, until Hillandale Road turns into Fulton Street.  Turn left onto Morreene Road. After the intersection at Erwin Road, Morreene Road becomes Towerview Drive, continue straight. At the first traffic light (second intersection), turn left onto Science Drive. Take the second right into the Bryan Center Visitor's Lot. You can park in the Bryan Center Visitor's Lot, or you can proceed to the Bryan Center Parking Garage immediately on the right.