FAQ
Using the Library
You can see our current COVID protocols on our COVID-19 information page.
Main Library
Monday-Thursday: 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Sunday, from October – May: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Teen Center at Patchogue-Medford Carnegie Library
Monday-Friday: 2:30 PM – 8:30 PM (11:30 AM – 8:30 PM during school vacations)
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Sunday, from October – May: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
You can come into the library to get a card, or get a card online.
You will need proof of residence in the Patchogue-Medford School District or acceptable non-resident status. View the Get a Card page for details.
If you don’t remember your library password, click here to request an email with a reset link.
Didn’t get the email? Check your junk/spam folder, the “Social” or “Promotion” tabs in Gmail, or the “Other” tab in Outlook. If you still don’t see it, contact us.
- Register online through the Events calendar.
- Call the library at one of the following numbers:
- Adults: 631-654-4700, x152
- Children: 631-654-4700, x200
- Teens: 631-654-4700, x500
- Come into the library!
Please note: You must come into the library to register for any event that has a fee.
Adults looking for Community Service opportunities can join the Patchogue Medford Friends of the Library.
If you are in grades 6-12, please see our Volunteer Opportunities page for additional information.
For additional volunteer opportunities consider contacting one of these other local organizations.
To apply for a job at the library, print and fill out our Employment Application and bring it in to the library.
Checking Out Books and More
You can place your holds yourself through the online catalog, or have a librarian reserve items for you.
You can get in touch with a librarian by calling us at 631-654-4700, emailing us, or by using the chat box in the lower left-hand corner.
We will let you know when your items are ready to be picked up.
If you have items ready to be picked up, you can come to the Library during regular business hours and check them out from the main desk.
If you would like to pick up items without coming into the library, you can make an appointment for curbside pickup online, or call us at 631-654-4700 and we will make an appointment for you.
You must have items ready to be picked up before you schedule a curbside pickup appointment.
You can place your holds yourself through the online catalog, or have a librarian reserve items for you. At this time some items may take longer to obtain than others.
You can get in touch with a librarian by calling us at 631-654-4700, emailing us, or by using the chat box in the lower left-hand corner.
After you have been notified that your items are ready for pickup, make an appointment online or call us to schedule a pickup time.
At your scheduled pickup time, come to the rear of the library to pick up your items.
Yes!
If you have a library card from another public library in Suffolk County, you can take out everything except new DVDs, video games, PlayAway Views, Launchpads, e-Readers, puzzles, audiovisual equipment, children’s Big Books, toys, CD Box Sets, outdoor games and museum passes.
There is a limit to how many materials you can take out in a single transaction.
| ITEM | LIMIT |
|---|---|
| Books, CD Books, Music CDs, Nonfiction DVDs | Unlimited |
| Entertainment DVDs, Magazines, New DVDs | 10 |
| Colored Pencils, Playaway Audiobooks | 5 |
| Audiovisual Equipment, Bilingual Kits, Fishing Poles, Puzzles, Outdoor Games | 2 |
| Hotspots, Launchpads, Playaway Views, Video Games | 1 |
Materials may be limited during periods of high demand (i.e. class assignments).
New DVDs, video games, magazines, Playaway views, Launchpads, outdoor games, equipment, and hotspots can be borrowed for 7 days.
All other circulating items can be borrowed for 28 days and can be renewed several times unless they are reserved by another patron.
Patchogue-Medford Library does not charge overdue fines, but you will be charged list price for replacement of lost or damaged materials.
Overdue notices are sent via email for 7-day loan items when they are 7 days overdue. For all other material, an email notice is generated when the item is 3 weeks overdue. The second and final notice is a bill. All borrowing privileges will be suspended until the materials(s) are either returned or paid for.
Online Library Services
Your Patchogue-Medford Library card lets you:
- Download and stream books, movies, music and magazines
- Learn a language with Rosetta Stone
- Do research or learn skills at home
and more!
See the downloads and streaming page for a complete list of download and streaming services you can access with your library card.
Here’s a quick rundown:
Overdrive | Libby – You can borrow thousands of ebooks and audiobooks them, instantly, for free, using just the device in your hand.
Hoopla – Instantly borrow digital movies, music, eBooks and more, 24/7 with your library card. Signing up is free & easy.
Flipster – 167 Magazines Available. Flip to your favorite magazines from anywhere!
Kanopy – Video streaming service for movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films and educational videos.
Live online tutoring:
Brainfuse is a great homework help and live tutoring service that can be accessed here with your library card. It offers live tutoring in a variety of subjects for every grade level from 1:00-11:00 pm, 7 days a week, and has an online writing lab where you can submit any kind of writing for assistance. Look for Brainfuse Meet to join a virtual study room (great for group projects!). We encourage you to go explore this extensive resource!
Databases for kids and teens:
Ebooks for kids:
Yes! Here’s where to go:
Pressreader – Unlimited access to thousands of magazines and newspapers.
Newsday – Get Full-Text Access to Newsday, set up alerts to receive the day’s articles via e-mail
New York Times – Full-Text Access, set up alerts to receive the day’s articles. Access to online articles is also available.
Long Island Advance – Full-Text Access to the Advance, articles released the day paper is published.
Wall Street Journal – Full-Text Access, set up alerts to receive the day’s articles. Access to online articles is also available.
We’d recommend you start with Rosetta Stone:
- Free with your library card
- 30 languages to meet a range of cultural interests
- Core lessons to build reading, writing, speaking and listening skills
- Focused activities to refine grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and more
- Mobile apps that enable learners to reinforce language on the go
Start with our Genealogy page, and be sure to join our Genealogy Facebook group.
We recommend:
Udemy – To use the app, download Udemy for business. When it asks you for the name of the website, put in “gale”. It should say gale.udemy.com. However, you will have to create a profile online via Web browser and you will need a Google or Microsoft account to get started.
Peterson’s Test and Career Prep – Has an *actually free* Resume Wizard, Career Books, Basic Math/Reading/Writing Tests for Grades 8-12, Cosmetology Online Classes, CLEP practice exams, STEM practice tests, TOEFL and Citizenship Practice Test
Live-brary Civil Service Test Prep Collection – A listing of all Civil Service Test Prep ebooks by the National Learning Corporation can be found here. These titles are always available.
Sure! Start with these resources:
Home Improvement Reference Center – Through a collection of comprehensive full-text content, this database provides users with detailed, user-friendly “how-to” information covering a variety of home improvement and repair projects.
Chilton Library – Deliver reliable automotive help online 24/7 through ChiltonLibrary, trusted by automotive enthusiasts and professionals for more than 100 years. See for yourself how no other source has the maintenance, repair, and technical service bulletins needed for most years, makes, and models.This continually updated resource provides:
- Step-by-step service and repair procedures
- Wiring diagrams
- Maintenance and specification tables
- Troubleshooting guides and diagnostic trouble codes
- Photos, illustrations, diagrams and multimedia (videos and animations)
- ASE test prep
Small Engine Repair Databases – This reference database provides detailed yet user-friendly repair guides for all manner of small engines. All of the content is organized in a powerful, easy-to-use manner so that users can quickly find the information they need.