Since the Library closed to the public at 9pm on Friday, March 13, we've all been a little out of sorts.  All the members of our Oceanside Library community have been learning to adjust to, what is for now, a new normal.  Staff are back in the building adapting and innovating our services to provide Oceanside with the best library experience possible.  Patrons have been enjoying our online programming as well as all the digital resources available to them from the comfort of their own homes.  So what now?  What's the 411?  Here are a few questions that have come up (updates will be made periodically so please check back) and some answers that we can provide...


Can I visit the Library?  Yes!
Is it true that you are open for Browsing & Borrowing?  Yes!
Can I make a photocopy?  Yes!
Can I use a public computer?  Yes!
Check out our new Visiting The Library page for all the details!


I returned an item in the Book Drop but it is still checked out on my card.  Why is that?
An excellent question!  Any items that are returned in the library book drop are placed into quarantine for 7 days due to an abundance of caution.  Our custodial staff empties the drop multiple times a day, bags all of the items, and moves them to storage for one week.  After the quarantine has lapsed, materials are brought into the building and cleared.  No fines are incurred so you do not have to worry about that.  If you check your account and see that items that you have returned are still on your card or if you receive a notice that a material is about to be due, please allow for some time for the items to be cleared.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.  Updated on Tuesday 7/14.


So did I hear that the Library is offering Contactless Curbside Pickup of library materials?
Yes, in fact you did hear that!  It's a simple process but there are a few steps to follow.  You may request specific materials but if we do not have them, please offer some alternate suggestions.  A due date slip will be included with your materials.  Pickup times are now being scheduled Monday - Thursday from 9:15am - 8pm and Friday - Saturday from 9:15am - 4pm.  There are a few more things to note but please click here for all the information that you will need!  Go ahead, we'll be here when you get ba...wow that was fast!  Updated on Tuesday 7/14.


Can I start placing holds for items?  Is the Nassau interloan system up and running?
If you would like to place a hold for any item, please feel free to do so!  If you have a hold on your card, please be assured that staff are doing their best to try and fill those holds as soon as we can.  The Nassau Library System interloan service is now active so we can arrange for delivery of materials from other libraries.  The Library is now receiving and processing newer library materials so please feel free to start placing holds for materials, both old and new, in our online catalog.  When your items are available, staff will call you to arrange a curbside pickup time.  Thank you for your patience and your understanding.  Updated on Monday 7/27.


When are Library Staff working in the building?
Library staff are working in the building Monday - Thursday from 9am - 9pm and Friday - Saturday from 9am - 5pm.  Staff are working on Curbside Pickup, receiving and processing materials, and assisting patrons during Browsing & Borrowing Appointments.  If you have a question or need some assistance during library hours, please give us a call at 516-766-2360, Dial 0 for the Front Desk or 4 for the Information Desk.  Updated on Monday 7/27.


I still have library materials at home, what should I do with them?  Is your Book Drop open?
Excellent news!!  The Library's Book Drop is open Monday - Thursday 9am - 9pm and Friday - Saturday from 9am - 5pm!!  Please feel free to return your books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and video games to the library during those hours.  If you have a Kindle or Playaway device, please hold on to that device for now (you will not be charged any overdue fines!) because we do not want those items to be damaged upon return.  If you would prefer to hold onto your items for a little bit longer, please feel free to do so.  We will not be charging overdue fines!  Please note that if the Book Drop is full or if the Book Drop is locked, please do not leave items outside.  Items left outside of the Book Drop may be discarded for safety issues and you may be charged for lost materials.  Items will be placed into quarantine for 7 days and will be cleared from your library card after the 7 day quarantine period has lapsed.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!  Updated on Tuesday 7/14.


My materials were due in March or April, when are those now due?
All materials that were due from March 13, 2020 through the end of April 2020 were given an extended due date of September 1, 2020.  The Library's Book Drop is open Monday - Thursday 9am - 9pm and Friday - Saturday from 9am - 5pm so please continue to return any materials (no fines will be incurred at this time!) that you have checked out.  Please note that all returned materials will be placed into quarantine for 7 days and will be cleared from your library card after the 7 day quarantine period has lapsed.  Updated on Monday 10/5.


Is the Library accepting book donations?
At this time we are not accepting donations of books or any other materials.  If you have items that you would like to donate, you may contact Causeway Book Club (516-451-8788).  You can also check out The Book Fairies (516-557-6645) who might be able to assist you as well.  Added on Friday 6/26.


Did I hear that the library now has a podcast?
Yes you did!  Books & Banter with Deb and Nay is a podcast featuring two Oceanside Library coworkers and friends who talk about their online book club selection...but then can’t help themselves and start talking about everything else!  Check it out on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!  Added on Tuesday, August 11.


Are you holding your annual OceanCon event this year?
Not only are we holding OceanCon this year...it's going to be a weeklong virtual event!  OceanCon will run from Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 23 and we have a lot of exciting things in store!  Please check out our OceanCon website for more details.  We hope to see you there!


So do you have any news on the 2020/2021 Library Budget vote?
Yes!  The Oceanside Library 2020/2021 Budget passed by a vote of 4278 - 3508!  Oceanside, we are humbled and we thank you.  This has been a very tough year for all of us and we truly appreciate your vote of confidence.  We look forward to continuing the high standard of library service you have come to expect of us for many years to come!  Please check OceansideVision2020.com for and renovation and bond related information and updates.   Updated on Wednesday 6/24.


My library card needs to be renewed, how do I do that?
All active Oceanside Library cards have been renewed through December 31, 2020.  If your card has expired, click here to get a temporary digital card.  Digital cards expire on December 31, 2020 but may be extended beyond this date.  Here is a little more information on what services are available to Oceanside residents with this temporary digital card.  Updated on Wednesday 8/5.


I can not find my library card, what do I do now?
If you believe that your card is still active but you can not locate it, please click here.  Nassau Library System staff will reach out to you and provide your library barcode if it is still active.  If it is not, you will get a temporary digital card.  Digital cards expire on December 31, 2020 but may be extended beyond this date.  Here is a little more information on what services are available to you with this temporary digital card.  Updated on Wednesday 8/5.


I need to take a Defensive Driving Class, do you have any information?
As a matter of fact we do!  The Empire Safety Council is offering online Defensive Driving Classes and is extending a $10 discount to Oceanside residents who use the Promo Code BEB.  Visit their website or Facebook page to sign up for a class.  Please contact Diana Palumbo-Wilbur at 631-664-0652 or email her with any questions.  Added on Wednesday 7/15.


Do you have any information on groups that were meeting at the library before the shutdown?
Yes, here's one: The National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) support group meetings will continue as a virtual support group on Tuesdays beginning October 6 from 6:30 - 8:30pm every other week.  Register with David Sills at: dsills@namiqn.org.  Please submit your name(s), phone number, and Email address.  Updated on Monday 9/21


Hoopla Digital?  Did I hear that the Library now has Hoopla Digital?
Who told you that?  Because they were correct!  Hoopla Digital is a library service where Oceanside Library cardholders (over 18 years of age) can borrow then stream or download audiobooks, movies, TV shows, music, eBooks, comics and graphic novels.  Hoopla Digital works with Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Android and Amazon Alexa (smart speaker).  There is a Hoopla Digital app available for iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire plus you can access Hoopla Digital on your computer at hoopladigital.com.  You can borrow up a total of 10 individual titles a month.  Please note: Once your 10 title threshold is met, you will have to wait for the first day of the following month to check out additional titles.  Click here for more information.  Updated on Friday 6/19.


Did I just hear something about a Virtual Notary Service?
It's true, 100%.  The Governor has made it possible for notaries to provide services virtually.  Our Assistant Director for Community Services will notarize documents for Oceanside District residents. Email Tony Iovino at aiovino@oceansidelibrary.com for more information.  Added on Thursday 4/16.


How do I get onto your Oceanside Library Email "EBlast" list?
Please email aiovino@oceansidelibrary.com to be added to our Oceanside Library Email "EBlasts" so you can have our information come to you.  Added on Wednesday 8/26.


Do you have any updates on your programming?
Due to an abundance of caution, we do not have any "in-person" programs scheduled for October.  We will continue to hold plenty of online programs though!  In addition to our Facebook page and Email "EBlasts," please check our Online Events Calendar.  All of our online programs, as well as any necessary login information, can be found there.  Storytimes, Book & Film Chats, and exercise sessions are just a few of our online offerings.  There is some amazing work being doing by our amazing staff (and outside presenters too!) so please check out what we have to offer...you will not be disappointed!  Updated on Monday 10/5.


I missed some of your online programs, can I view them anywhere?
As a matter of fact, yes!  Please visit our YouTube channel to check out some of the programs that we have hosted over the past few months.  From a Guitar Jam Session to Chair Yoga to Storytimes to Play Hooray, you can view a number of our online programs at your convenience.  Plus our Technology Librarian has added some very helpful instructional videos so check those out as well!  An please don't forget to subscribe to our channel!  Added on Monday 5/18.


I heard that you now have a Virtual Gallery for Oceanside artists.  Is that true?
Well yes...but we were framed!  Seriously though, please visit our new Virtual Gallery, THE lower LEVEL, to see what cool artwork our local artists are sharing.  Make sure to check out our featured and local artists in The Main Gallery as well as the works of our younger patrons in The Teen Gallery and The Kids Gallery!  We're even going to have an Oceanside Teen Zine (a self-published, short magazine) featured on the site as well!  The exhibitions and artists will be displayed for a limited time so please check back to see any new exhibits!  Updated on Tuesday 7/7.


Are there any resources that I can use from home?
A simple yes!  Check out Oceanside Library 24/7/365 because it's a one-stop shop for many of the resources that you can access from home.  Also please check out our database page for additional resources as well.  And a big shout out to Paging Oceanside, our sister site that focuses on all things reading including book recommendations, online book clubs, and more!  Updated on Wednesday 8/26.


What's that little bubble on the lower right hand corner of the the library homepage?
Oh, you noticed!  We started up a Virtual Information Desk!  Even though we are now open for limited in-person borrowing & browsing sessions, our exceptional librarian staff is still available to you Mondays - Thursdays from 9am - 9pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 9am - 5pm (except holidays) to help answer questions that you have.  If our librarians can not answer your question during the chat, they will ask you for an email address and get back to you as soon as they can.  The Librarian Is In!  Updated on Monday 8/24.


I'm in need Wi-Fi and I would normally go to the Library to use yours, do you have any suggestions?
Good news!  A number of local public libraries, including Oceanside, are offering free public Wi-Fi in areas outside of their buildings!  Here is a list of libraries in both Nassau and Suffolk that are offering this service.  If any login credentials are needed, that is noted in the document.  Many thanks to all of the libraries sharing their information and their Wi-Fi!  Added on Friday 5/15.


How can I get in touch with you if I have any further questions?
Please email us at aiovino@oceansidelibrary.com or remoteassistance@oceansidelibrary.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.