Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for a library card, a person must provide photo identification and proof of current residence. There is no minimum age to get a library card. Minors (under 18 years) must have their parent or guardian sign to accept financial responsibility.

Faxing services are available during normal business hours. The cost is $1 per page for the first five pages, and $0.50 for each page after. A cover sheet can be obtained for no additional charge.

All ages are welcome in the Library, but children must be at least 10 years old before they may be left unattended and children under 10 years old must be under adult supervision at all times. Even if the child is old enough to be in the library alone, the child is expected to follow the same rules as adults. If a child violates a library policy, the parents will be notified immediately.

If any child has not been picked up from the library at closing time, the police may be called. Whether a parent or guardian is present, the staff of the library does not act in loco parentis.

Tax forms are available on a first come, first serve basis. In accordance to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, only a limited number of print forms are provided. If a form you need is not available, it may be printed from the IRS Website or requested by calling the IRS at 800-829-3676. Many of the forms are found using the Texas Law Help Website and the TexShare Databases. The Library has access to a variety of forms, such as:

• Divorce
• Guardianship
• Property
• Real estate
• Wills

Staff Cannot Provide Legal Recommendations

Disclaimer: The library staff are information providers, not physicians, health care professionals, lawyers or counselors. By law, staff cannot provide recommendations for forms, legal/medical advice, or recommend specific practitioners.

When you access your account online, you can do the following things:

• Place a reserve on an item
• Renew your materials that are checked out
• Review your fines if you have any
• See when your items are due
• Set up a watchlist for your favorite authors
• Update your information

Login to Your Account

Visit the Bay City Public Library Website to login in to your account, access our OPAC, and to search our collection. Your username is you library barcode number. Your pin is defaulted to the last four digits of your phone number. You may change your pin number once logged in, however, staff will only be able to reset it back to the default if you forget your pin.

Book donations are accepted on behalf of the Friends of the Library. Materials that are able to be used in the collection are sorted through first. Items that cannot be used in our collection will be sold during the Friends ongoing book sale, given to other agencies in need of materials, or recycled. It is at the discretion of the Library and Friends what the final use of donated materials.

Materials Not Accepted

Materials should be in like-new or gently used condition. Textbooks can be sold but are not added to the library collection. Unfortunately, we cannot accept encyclopedias.

The Bay City Library Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency, accepts memorial and honor donations to help supplement the book budget for the Bay City Public Library. A form is available at the library to be filled out with your name, acknowledgment information, and preferred type of book. These donations are tax deductible, and an acknowledgement letter is provided from the Bay City Library Association.