You may apply for a library card by visiting the Circulation Desk. Library cards are issued for three years for BSBW residents. The patron getting his or her library card must be present during the time of issuing the card. You must be a Bay Shore or Brightwaters resident to receive a card with full privileges. If you are from any other library in Suffolk County only, you may also be issued a card, but with restrictions. Proper identification is needed; please see below.

Call the library at (631) 665-4350 if you have any questions.

Getting a New Library Card    Replacing a Lost Card    Updating an Expired Card 

  Direct Access - Coming from a Different Library

Getting a New Library Card

In order to be eligible for a BSBW library card, you must prove that
you live in the Bay Shore School district.

You can do this by showing one or more of the following:

• Current NYS Driver's License showing Bay Shore School District Address

• Current official NYS Non-Driver ID card showing Bay Shore School District Address

• Current Islip Town Recreation Card with address, signature and expiration date

• Credit or Bank Card with address and signature

• Medicare/Medicaid or other heath card that gives address, signature and expiration date

• Utility bills (SCWA, LIPA, Cablevision) in combination with other proof of ID that shows a signature

• Any child who wishes to receive a library card must be able to print his or her first and last name, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with the above proof of residency.

The library WILL NOT accept mail, checks, or telephone bills as proof of address

Replacing a Lost Card

• Present proper identification to verify the current Bay Shore School District Address (see above)

• There is a dollar charge for replacement (lost) cards

• Please call the Library (665-4350) immediately to report a lost or stolen card

Updating an Expired Card

• Please present proper identification to verify the current Bay Shore School District Address (see top)

• There is no charge for expired Library cards

• Library cards expire three years after date of issue

Direct Access - Coming From a Different Library

• Patrons with Suffolk County cards are entitled to use the collections of all other Suffolk Libraries, with certain restrictions, as long as they remain in good standing.  Furthermore, materials from Suffolk Libraries can be returned to any Library in Suffolk County, whereupon the Library will return them to the proper owners.  A patron must apply at their own home Library first, and present their card from that Library when applying at another for Direct Access privileges.  They must have a current card (not expired) and be in good standing county-wide.

• Direct Access patrons wishing to use the collection of the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library are limited to materials that are no longer considered new: for books this means it has been two years since the publishing/release date and for DVDs, 6 months.