Annual Gathering of Friends

Every September, the Friends of the Library gather together to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and announce the goals for the upcoming year. Usually we meet at the home of a member, but this year we decided to have an Open House at the Library to show it off to the community.

So please join us on Monday, September 17, 5:30 - 7 pm for this special Open House @ your Library, 220 South Commerce Street. Refreshments will be served. It is free and open to the public, although we hope you will become a member of the Friends of the Library. Be sure to bring your children - no one benefits more from a Library than children.

Most people have NO idea of all the services the Library provides. What better way to find out than to visit and see for yourself. Staff will be available to demonstrate all services and answer any questions. Here's a sample of what you may see:

• Of course, we have books! And magazines, newspapers, audio books, DVDs. It's all listed in our online catalog which you can access from anywhere - to search, renew, request materials. And if we don't have what you're looking for, we can probably get it for you.
• You can find out almost anything at your Library. Ask our Reference Librarian and she'll either answer your question or tell you how to find it. Although we have a large assortment of printed reference materials, most resources are online now. Many of these expensive resources are available for free through your Library.
• One of the most valuable resources is Learning Express Library, which has over 770 practice tests and tutorials for ACT/SAT, GRE, certification and licensing exams, and just about anything you need. We also have a special online course to learn a new language.
• We have lots of computers - including 3 that are just for young children, 2 just for teens, and 2 that are designed for reading newspapers online. We have copying and fax machines. We even have a typewriter!
• We have a genealogy and local history section that people from all over the country come to visit, including our microfilm collection and free access to expensive genealogy databases.
• The Children's section is wonderful and includes furniture and other fixtures designed for kids. There's a special section just for the very young child with a much used rocking chair. Of course, we have unbelievable programs for kids.
• Teens have their very own room that just has to be seen. Take a teen in there, and she may never leave!
• We also want to show off all the renovations. Our HVAC renovation is complete, so for the first time in years, we can guarantee it will be comfortable in the Library. You can see the progress of the exterior renovations, which is being funded by contributions from the community.
• Of course, there is much more, but you really have to come and see it for yourself. Even long time library users find stuff they never knew we had.

All you need to access all this is an absolutely free Library Card - and we'll happily give you one at the Open House.

See you @ your Library on Monday, September 17, 5:30 - 7 pm!

Tax Season is Here - But So Is Your Library

It's tax time again, but your Library is here to help you. It may not be much fun to file your taxes, but your Library will make it as easy as possible.

The most valuable tax service available at your Library is the tax preparation provided absolutely free by the well trained volunteers from AARP. They'll be here every Wednesday from 9 am to 5 pm, from February 1 through April 11. People are served on a first come first served basis. It's very popular, so you might have to wait a while. However, thanks to a grant from Entergy, there will be coffee and cookies available - and you can always browse the Library while you're waiting.

Looking for FORMS? We have the Mississippi tax forms, instruction booklets, and mailing envelopes - as well as a few Federal forms - conveniently located at the information desk just inside the front door. Come in and help yourself. Federal tax forms and instructions are no longer mailed out by the government, but they can be downloaded and printed from the internet by following this link, which is also on our web site, either at the Library or at home. Also thanks to the grant from Entergy, all tax related printing charges will be discounted. The grant also allows us to set up a special computer just for patrons printing forms or filing taxes.

Everyone can use FREE File and let the IRS do the hard work for you.  Brand name tax software is available free from several participating software companies if your income is under $57,000 - and some companies also include free filing of state tax returns. Everyone is eligible to use Free File Fillable Forms, which are online versions of the paper forms designed for people comfortable preparing their own tax returns.

Today is Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day. Created in 1975, EITC helps offset the impact of Social Security taxes and provides an incentive for work. It is the federal government's largest benefit program for low income workers. You could be eligible to get more money back from the IRS - as much as $5,751. If you earned less than $49,078 from wages, self-employment, or farming last year, you may qualify for EITC. EITC is a financial boost for working people in a recovering economy. You may be among the millions who will qualify for the first time because your financial, marital, or parental status changed during the recession. So click on the widget below to see if you qualify.

EITC Awareness Day and Tax Forms @ Your Library

The Armstrong Library is celebrating Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day on January 28, 2011, with a grant provided through Entergy. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) may be available to anyone who earned $48,362 or less from wages, self-employment, or farming in 2010. You could be eligible for a special tax credit this year and not know it. As a result, you may overlook claiming the EITC, which can put anywhere from $2 to more than $5,600 into your pockets.

People move into and out of EITC eligibility based on changes in their earnings, their parental status or their marital status. Many people will qualify for the first time this year due to economic changes in their incomes. We encourage people to see if they qualify. Eligible workers can get their EITC only if they file federal income tax returns – even if they are not otherwise required to file – and specifically claim the credit.

Taxpayers can get information and forms at the Armstrong Library from Friday, January 28 through Monday, April 18. Tax day is Monday, April 18 (this year only), in observance of Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia on April 15.

With the grant from Entergy, the Library will be of even more help to those needing tax forms and who wish to e-file. Grant funds will provide a computer dedicated to downloading tax forms and e-filing. People may come to the Library and download tax forms at a reduced price of 10¢ (ten cents) per printed page. The State of Mississippi, as a cost savings factor, is no longer mailing tax forms to individuals; therefore, the Department of Revenue has partnered with public libraries. All State tax forms are available at the Armstrong Library. People who wish to e-file may use the grant-provided computer to complete their tax filing. But, please don’t ask Library Staff for advice! We are not tax experts! Library staff can provide assistance in locating online forms, only!

The Armstrong Library also partners with the AARP in their Tax Aide program. Participation in this program is available on Wednesdays, from 9-4, beginning February 2 and ending on April 13. Persons assisted through the AARP Tax Aide program are served on a first come, first served, basis. Information on what is needed to participate in the Tax Aide program is available on Wednesdays only, during this time.

Come see what your Library can do for you!

• Tax information and forms, available @ Your Library
• A specific computer for downloading tax forms and for e-filing, available @ Your Library
• AARP Tax Aide program, available @ Your Library

Are Libraries Really Neccessary?

If you pay any attention to the news, you know that state and local governments are suffering from serious budget problems. Many desperate politicians are drastically cutting funds for public libraries, causing cutbacks in hours and services. Some communities are losing their libraries altogether. Mississippi is no different. There was an article in many state newspapers this week discussing the cuts to state funding of libraries. Local governments are being asked to make up the difference, but most simply cannot afford it. All across the state and country, people are asking "Are libraries really necessary?"

After all, with the internet, do we really need books and libraries? First of all, not everyone has access to the internet, especially in poor, rural areas. Secondly, libraries are so much more than just books. Communities that cut their library budgets are only making matters worse. Libraries remain one of the best economic engines available and probably do more than any other government service to help people and communities survive hard times.

There is overwhelming data showing the value of libraries in a bad economy -  library usage increases significantly during these times. Why? Because libraries provide needed services. When budgets are tight, people frequently quit buying books and subscribing to newspapers and magazines. So they come to the library to read them for free. (We even offer coffee for only $1 while reading that magazine.) Instead of paying for movies, people check them out for free at the library. When people lose their jobs, they come to the library for help with resumes and job searches - or to start a new business.  Children can be entertained for free with books, storytime, and special children's computers. Free use of computers at libraries is very popular. Come into the library any time, and you'll see people using the computers.

There is no better place for research than a public library - which helps people with all manner of problems related to a poor economy. Learn how to do things yourself rather than hiring someone to do it for you. Find out how to avoid foreclosure or increase your credit score. Look for scholarships for school or training. Whatever you need to know, you can probably find the answer at your library.

So are libraries really necessary? You bet! Investing taxpayer money in a public library in a no brainer.

Brand New Early Literacy Station Now Available

We are excited about our new Early Literacy Stations (ELS). ELS is a computer workstation loaded with more than 45 educational software titles for kids ages 2 - 10. ELS offers children a safe, standalone computer not connected to the internet that is age appropriate, engaging, and academically relevant for children. We have two stations in the Children's Department of the Armstrong Library, and one each in the Centreville and Woodville libraries. There is an imaginative interface that encourages exploration. The stations have a colorful keyboard, a tiny mouse, and a touch screen to promote easy learning and discovery.  We especially like the keyboard, where consonants are green, vowels are purple, numbers are red, punctuation is yellow, and functions are blue.

Many of the programs contain disguised learning activities that expand the child's experience through games and extension activities.The programs help develop skills in mathematics & problem solving, science & nature, social studies & geography, writing computer skills, reading, word recognition, & phonics, reference, and music & art. Your child will enjoy playing educational games with characters from Sesame Street, Between the Lions, Dora, Millie, Reader Rabbit and many more.

Did we mention that the ELS is fun? Children just love it!

We still have our children's computers that connect to the internet but can only access specific websites, listed on our website.

Bring your child to the Library and use all the resources we have available. This would be a good opportunity to spend quality time reading, selecting books, and playing educational games. Find out what your child is interested in and select books in those areas. We have a large selection of new books in for the children.

You may use our new card catalog and select board books, picture books, beginner readers, fiction or nonfiction books, accelerated readers, biographies and much more. The Children’s Librarian will be happy to assist you with any of your needs. We want to help your child become a reader and a life long library user.