About Us

Mission Statement

The Brookhaven Free Library serves the South Country Central School District. We are a community-minded, family-oriented library that focuses on children's services and provides access to timely information technology and current materials for adults in a variety of formats. We offer a wide range of programs designed for our diverse and continually changing community.

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Board of Trustees

Kathleen Dupointe (President), 2nd term 2009-2014
Margot Palermo (Treasurer), 2nd term, 2007-2012
AnnMarie Gordon (Asst. Treasurer), 1st term, 2007-2012
Will Struyk, (Secretary), 1st term, 2007-2012
Judith Travers, 1st term, 2008-2013
Rebecca Burkhead, 1st term, 2008-2013
Claudia Taylor, 1st term, 2008-2013
Kathleen L. Scheibel, Library Director

The Board of Trustees meets on the second Thursday of the month (except July and August) at 7:30 p.m. Check our online calendar of events or call the Library for exact dates.

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History of the Library

On May 18th, 1912 a group of women from the hamlet of Brookhaven founded the Fireplace Literary Club for the purpose of establishing a library for the residents of the hamlet. The name Fireplace was used to commemorate the former name of the hamlet, which had been known as Fire Place until 1871. Sixteen charter members of the club acquired approximately 242 books through donations from private libraries.

By July there were between 400 and 500 books available, and they were kept in the two-room schoolhouse that stood on the site of the present Brookhaven Elementary School building. During World War I, the collection was moved to Mr. Malcolm Fraser's studio, and in 1919, the collection was moved to the home of Mrs. Florence Gwynne.

Subsequently, it was felt that the library should have a permanent home, and in 1926 Mr. and Mrs. James H. Post offered to give a plot of land on which to erect a library building. This offer was accepted, and the main part of the present building was built that same year. Thus, on June 3, 1926, the literary club held its first meeting in the new building at 273 Beaver Dam Road.

Soon it was felt that the library should be open to all residents of the hamlet. Accordingly, in the spring of 1929 the Brookhaven Free Library was incorporated. On June 19, 1930 a provisional charter was granted by the State of New York. The Literary Club deeded over the books and a bond for $1,000.00. They also agreed to pay a specified amount every year toward the running expenses of the library. In exchange for $1.00, Mr. Post turned over the deed for the property and another $1,000 bond to the trustees of the Brookhaven Free Library. On November 30, 1951, an Absolute Charter was granted by the State of New York.

The library continued to flourish, and in 1957, a children's room was added at a cost of $7,175, which was financed through the sale of library owned securities and donations from the community, the largest gift being that of Mr. C. Oliver Wellington. In 1969 property was purchased adjacent to the library from Mrs. Marjorie Worth for possible use as a parking lot. This property cost $4,600, and was not to be used for parking while Mr. and Mrs. Worth still occupied their home. In 1970 a second addition was built on the north side of the building. The total cost for the addition, book shelves and furniture was $33,525 and was financed by private contributions and a $10,000 bank loan, which was repaid from endowment funds.

In December, 1961 the Brookhaven Free Library joined the Suffolk Cooperative Library System. In the 1970s the library's service boundaries expanded to include the entire South Country school district. In 1985 the Bellport Library changed its name to the South Country Library to reflect this change. Residents of the school district pay taxes for, and may hold cards at both libraries.

In 1989 a larger children's room was desired and constructed on the north end of the building. The original children's room became the ‘mystery" room, and was used to house the mystery and large print collections. In 2005 a programming room was added on the west end of the 1989 addition. It was necessary to limit the size, as a parking lot, which still had not been constructed on the property, was deemed necessary by the Town, if the building exceeded the allowable square footage. As no one wanted to remove the wonderful mature trees which fill the back portion of the lot, it was decided to forgo a parking lot, and keep the programming room small. In 2007, the library received a New York State construction grant, and combined it with saved investment funds to complete a major interior renovation at a cost of just over $200,000. This renovation included new shelving, fresh paint throughout, rearrangement of furniture and collections, new lighting, computers, and an upgrade of the electrical service. The goal of this renovation, which was completed in early 2008, was to unify all the disparate parts and additions that had been added over the years, and to bring the building into ADA compliance, as well as to update the computer systems and wiring to accommodate modern technology. The building as it stands today retains very much the original look and feel of the 1923 construction, while accommodating the needs of the modern library user.

The Fireplace Literary Club continues to meet here a minimum of four times per year, and to make a donation for children's programming. As of 2009 the library has a total of 18 employees, including the Director, 4 full time clerks, 2 part time clerks, 3 full time Children's staff, 2 part time Children's Library Assistants, 5 pages, and a part time custodian.

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Library History Booklet

Library History Booklet 1926-2006

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Pictorial History of Fireplace

Click here to see: Habitat and Heritage a Celebration of Community Spirit

Click here to see: Brookhaven Cemeteries

Click here to see:The History of Beaver Dam Creek

Click here to see: Carmans River: Human and Cultural History

Click here to see: Brookhaven Free Library Building:80th Anniversary Presentation to the Fireplace Literary Club

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Services & Collections

Reference

The Reference Collection includes a core selection of reference books, including dictionaries, atlases, encyclopedias, and a variety of other print reference tools. This collection is supplemented by the Central Reference Department at the Patchogue-Medford Library, and by Suffolk e-resources, a collection of professional, subscription databases available to you, anytime, both from in and outside the library. The Reference Collection is for In-library use only.
Our library staff is happy to accept reference questions from our patrons.

Circulating Collections

The library maintains a variety of collections of interest to our patrons, including new fiction and non-fiction, bestsellers, mysteries, large print and oversize books. Our older fiction and nonfiction collections are continually weeded and updated for content and quality, while new books are purchased to keep the collections current and of interest to our patrons. Due to the small size of our building we are not able to house as many books as we would like, but we are happy to obtain for you through Interlibrary Loan any title available in Suffolk County and beyond.

Special Collections

In October of 1960 the library was given the Alan G. Bolt Memorial collection of Sailing & Seafaring books. Over the years this collection has been supplemented by books donated to and purchased by the library. It is identified in the online catalog as the "Sailing & Seafaring" collection, and the original Bolt books are identified by a special sticker, that indicates they are part of the original collection. These books are currently housed in our computer room.
The Long Island Collection is housed in the glass cabinets to the left of the fireplace in our main reading room. It contains a wide variety of materials pertaining to the history of Brookhaven, Bellport and Long Island. These items may be viewed in the library with permission from library staff.

Computers

Our computer room has 3 PCs and a printer available for use by library cardholders. These computers are connected to the internet and contain the full suite of Microsoft Office programs. The computers may be reserved in advance in person or by phone. The library also maintains a wireless internet (WiFi) connection that may be used from anywhere inside our building.

Programming

The library is proud to offer a wide variety of programs of interest to the community. Once or twice a year we offer bus trips to a variety of sites and locations. Two of our most popular adult programs are the "Big Chill" Winter Reading Club, and the Annual Winter Tea, in memory of library friend and former trustee, John Binnington. The tea includes a selection of poetry, prose and music presented by local residents followed by tea and home-baked treats. All of our events and registration information are listed in the library's quarterly newsletter.

Print Collections

New Fiction
New Non-fiction
Biographies
Large Print
Oversize Books
Sailing & Seafaring
Mysteries
Magazines
Reference

Audio-Visual Collections

Videos
DVDs
Music CDs
Audio-Books

Interlibrary Loan

When the library does not own an item a patron request, we will make every effort to borrow the material from another library in the county, state or beyond.

Reserves

Patrons may place a hold on an item by phone, in person, or via the library catalog online.

Suggestions

The library is happy to accept suggestions for additions to the library collections, programs or other improvements. A suggestion box is located near the circulation desk for this purpose. While we cannot always grant every patron's wish, please be assured that each suggestion is carefully considered, and every attempt is made to fulfill requests within the boundaries of our budget and library policies.

Other Services

Fax service – free for cardholders to numbers within the United States
Photocopier - .10 per page
Outreach service for the homebound
Quarterly newsletter
Telephone reservations and renewals
Check your patron record from home via your computer (see below)

To View Your Patron Record:

Go to: "Check Account"
The first time you sign in to your library account, you will need to create a password.

Type the barcode from the back of your library card.
Type a password into the "Password" field
Click "Go" or press Enter
You will be asked to re-enter your new password for verification
Once in your library account, you may change your password by clicking "Change Your Password."

From here you can see what items you have checked out and when they are due, renew items, and check your fines. You can also choose to create reading lists, and other options for keeping track of your checkouts.

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Policies & Procedures

Library Cards

All residents of the South Country School District are eligible to receive a Brookhaven Free Library card. Patrons can apply for a card at the circulation desk, and must show proof of residency at that time. Minors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign their registration card. There is a $1.00 replacement fee for a lost library card.

Loan Periods / Renewals

Books, Audiobooks, Music CDs – 14 days
2 renewals
New Adult DVDs – 2 days
2 renewals
DVDs, Videos, CD-ROMs – 7 days
1 renewal
Magazines– 7 days
No renewals.

Patrons may call the library, come to the circulation desk or log in to their account from home to renew eligible items. Items that are on hold for another patron may not be renewed.

Videos and DVDs in the adult collection may only be checked out on an adult card. Juvenile materials may be checked out on any card.

Reference books and the Long Island Collection are for in-library-use only.

Returning Materials

All materials may be returned:

In our bookdrop located outside the Children's room door 24/7
At the circulation desk during library hours
At any Suffolk County library

Fines and Fees

Books, Audiobooks, Music CDs and Magazines
$.05 a day per item
$2.00 maximum fine per item
DVDs, Videos, CD-ROMs
$.50 a day per item
$5.00 maximum fine per item
Replacement Library Card
$1.00 each occurrence

A patron's borrowing privileges are suspended if their fine balance exceeds $5.00. Privileges resume when the balance is paid or reduced to less than $5.00. Patrons with balances below $5.00 may borrow materials but must make partial or full payment toward the balance.

Holiday Closings

The library is closed on New year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day, and after 2 p.m. on New Year's Eve.

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