Stratford Library eNews February 2010

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Tax Help

Free help with your income tax return The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) offers free tax preparation services for basic individual returns to people with incomes less than $49,000. IN STRATFORD BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: 377-0689 Stratford Library2203 Main St., StratfordFeb. 4 – April 8Thursdays, 11 am – 2 pm BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: 377-0689 South End Community Center19 Bates St, Stratford Feb. 4 – April 17 Thursdays, 5:30 pm – 8 pm Saturdays, 9:00 am – noon BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: 377-0689Franklin Elementary School1895 Barnum Avenue, Stratford Feb. 1 – April 12Mondays, 4 pm – 8 pm Bring with you all information and documents that apply to your 2009 income taxes, including: Copy of last year’s tax return -- If married filing jointly, both spouses must attend appointment with Photo IDs -- Social Security cards for every member of the family -- W-2s and/or 1099s from ALL jobs worked in 2009 -- A check from the taxpayer's checking account or a savings account number for direct deposit -- Interest statements from financial institutions (if applicable) -- Tuition and student loan information (if applicable) -- Documentation from daycare provider, if taxpayer paid for child care in 2009 -- Any other income information or IRS notices received. For more free tax help services Call 2-1-1, Connecticut’s free information and referral service Or ask the librarians for help finding volunteer locations in neighboring towns. _____________________________________ IRS Live Telephone Assistance for Individuals:1-800-829-1040. IRS phone line to Order Tax Forms and Materials: 1-800-829-3676 Call the local Bridgeport IRS office for help: 203-384-5818 This information was accurate as of 1/18/10. Be sure to call ahead and verify the details before visiting a volunteer site

Time Goes By...

We say "goodbye" to authors Erich Segal and Robert B. Parker this week. But their works live on. Visit the Stratford Library, and check out a copy of a classic by one of these famous guys.

Stratford Library Staff Picks

Find out what staff members are reading & watching:

Stratford Library - Stratford Library Staff Picks

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"One Book, One Stratford"

Sunday, Jan. 10, 2 pm: Author Jennifer Baszile visits the Stratford Library to kick-off "One Book, One Stratford"

Did you see the great article this week in the Connecticut Post about our program, "One Book, One Stratford" ? The idea of the “One Book” program is that everyone in town reads the same book at the same time, much like a town-wide book club. The library has chosen Jennifer Baszile’s acclaimed memoir, The Black Girl Next Door, as the town selection. From now until March, the library has scheduled a number of talks, film showings, lectures, and discussions that touch on the themes explored in Baszile's book. At the “One Book, One Stratford” kick-off event on January 10 author Jennifer Baszile will be in attendance to discuss and read from her memoir. The Black Girl Next Door is the true story of Baszile’s growing up black in a white section of Los Angeles in the 1970s and ‘80s. Professor Baszile commented to the Post that although her particular story is set in previous decades, her theme of how families struggle to achieve the American dream and become part of the cultural landscape of the US is still vitally relevent today. Jennifer Baszile received her B.A. from Columbia and her Ph.D. in American history from Princeton. She was the first black female professor to join Yale University's history department and has been named one of the "Thirty Leaders of the Future" by Ebony magazine. She currently lives in Connecticut. Copies of The Black Girl Next Door will be available for purchase at the event – autographed by the author. The library also multiple copies for loan. The “One Book” event is co-sponsored in part by Simon & Schuster. Light refreshments will be served.

For the complete schedule of events for "One Book, One Stratford," see the calendar at the library's webpage.