You could meet your new best friend this weekend

We love stories about the friendship between dogs and people. And some of the best dogs we know are those "mutts" with sweet faces and big hearts who are gazing through the bars at the animal shelter waiting for the right person -- their person -- to come along and take them home.

If you've been thinking about adding a dog to your family, you probably would guess that the library has dozens of books and DVDs on naming, training, and caring for your dog. But did you know we have books all about adopting a rescued dog?

Community Event alert! The Stratford Animal Rescue Society & Stratford Animal Control will be having an adoption event and Pet Boutique on Saturday March 27, 2010 from 11 am-3 pm at the Stratford Animal Control Facility, 9 Frog Pond Lane, Stratford, CT 06614 (map) Dogs and cats will be available for adoption to homes that meet AC guidelines. See the Animal Control website for details: www.stratfordac.org/

These books are available at the Stratford Library for those special people that want to bring a special dog home:

	The Adopted Dog Bible is the one-stop handbook on the needs of these special dogs and covers every detail of daily life. --Where to find your perfect canine companion --How you can adopt any type of dog --Smart guidelines for adoption success --Realistic expenses of dog care
	Your Adopted Dog is a thorough guide to discovering the one-of-a-kind personality and one-of-a-kind love each rescued dog wants to share, if he is only given the chance. It's filled with helpful advice and successful techniques tailored to each dog's needs -- a complete and total resource.
	Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform isn't a how-to book about pet care. Instead, it digs deep into the emotional reasons between human and animal can be so strong. One reader said, "You’ll be crying--and laughing--as you read about the powers pets have to heal people.”

Snapshot Day Statewide results

PEOPLE NEED LIBRARIES….LIBRARIES NEED YOU IN JUST ONE DAY – FEBRUARY 18, 2010 ◦80,616 people walked through the doors of Connecticut libraries ◦99,537 books, movies and more were borrowed from Connecticut libraries ◦988 new borrowers were registered at Connecticut libraries ◦ 8,960 reference questions were answered at Connecticut libraries ◦12,982 people used computers at Connecticut libraries ◦591 programs/classes were offered at Connecticut libraries ◦9,599 people attended programs/classes at Connecticut libraries ◦113,143 people visited Connecticut library websites See the pictures from that day - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctlibrariessnapshot2010/

Stratford Library - Stratford Library eNews

Stratford Library - Stratford Library eNews

Author Jennifer Baszile Returns to the Library

“One Book, One Stratford” continues on Tuesday, March 2, at 6:30pm, in the Lovell Room of the Stratford Library. Author Jennifer Baszile will be part of the intergenerational discussion about her book "The Black Girl Next Door". The memoir 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.

SNAPSHOT: ONE DAY in the LIFE of CONNECTICUT LIBRARIES

Don't miss this-Thursday, February 18, 2010 Libraries all over Connecticut will be taking a “snapshot”—collecting information to capture the impact that Connecticut libraries have on their communities on a typical day

Please stop in and tell us what you love about Stratford Library and why it’s important.

We’ll take your answers and let you know what other people all around the state think of their libraries and how they use them.

Results and pictures will be posted online at http://snapshotctlib.wordpress.com/ after March 10th

Snapshot: One Day in the Life of Connecticut Libraries is a project of the Connecticut Library Association, the Connecticut State Library and the Connecticut Library Consortium.

Stratford Library eNews February 2010

All Stratford Library news- all in one place: Stratford Library - Stratford Library eNews

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