New August RPL Materials!

 Let's forget that it's nearing the end of August and pretend that we have weeks and weeks of beach vacations and lazy days ahead of us. With this mindset, you should have plenty of time to check out our newest, fantastic  book selections! My personal pick is David Mitchell's newest novel, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. It will ensnare you within the first few pages and does not let you go, which is pretty much the best feeling you can get as a reader.

However, if you're a bit tired of picking your next new read, don't worry. We have over 50 new DVD selections for your viewing pleasure with this update! From classics like The Wizard of Oz to sitcoms like 30 Rock you can't go wrong with checking out the selections at your local library.


Simply click in the link below the view all new materials. Specific instructions regarding searching for particular titles can be found here. Otherwise, simply click the categories within the Table of Contents to go directly to your chosen genre. Here's to never-ending summer!

Click here to view all new RPL materials!

New RPL Materials!

If you've been contemplating what book should be next on your summer reading list, our new materials list below should help you narrow down your choices. From new adult fiction to juvenile picture books, from DVDs to reference materials, the RPL has got you covered. Simply click on the link below to peruse our newest catalog additions (for a refresher on how to use the new materials page, just click here - it's easy!)

Click here to view all new RPL materials

 

Fútbol at your library

Whew. The 2010 World Cup has been underway for over a week now, and if you're a soccer fan like me, the U.S vs. Slovenia game this morning was one of the most uplifting, disappointing, thrilling, aggravating games so far. Welcome to the world of soccer.

For those who are, at best, ambivalent about soccer, I offer a few selections from the RPL catalog that might provide a bit more of a background about this world-renowned sport. If anything, there are a few great reads here that might just stoke your interest in the World Cup or soccer in general just a bit more. Go U.S.A!

The Game of Their Lives
Geoffrey Douglas

This is the thrilling true story of the 1950 U.S. World Cup soccer team that played a preliminary round game against a dominant British team in Belo Horizonte, a small Brazilian mining town. Soccer was much more of a peripheral American sport than it is today, and the result of the game was considered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. A great read that not only provides a baseline history of the U.S. role in world soccer, but also traces the origins of the amazing 11 players who were mostly the children of immigrants from large city ghettos.

 Futebol: Soccer: The Brazilian Way
 Alex Bellos

 Brazil is a hotbed of soccer phenoms, and Alex Bellos does an excellent job of  exploring the intertwining of soccer and the Brazilian identity. The game symbolizes racial harmony, flamboyance, youth, innovation, and skill, and yet it is also a microcosm of the country itself, containing all of its contradictions.

 Traveling extensively from Uruguay to the northeastern backlands, and from the coastal cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo to the Amazon jungle, Alex Bellos shows how Brazil changed soccer and how soccer shaped Brazil. He tells the stories behind the great players, like Pele and Garrincha, the great teams, and the great matches, as well as extraordinary stories from people and pitches all over this vast country.

The Girls of Summer
Jere Longman

July 10, 1999. The U.S. Women's Soccer team wins a battle against China by way of a penalty shoot-out, and the fate of women's soccer in America forever changes. This book provides an in-depth look at this final games, as well as an inside look at the culture of women's soccer in the United States. An intelligent foray into the world of women's sports, including issues such as equal pay for equal play, becoming role models, the media's sexualization of players and the battle to create an enduring legacy of female participation in soccer in the U.S.

Other recommendations not currently in the RPL catalog:

How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization
Franklin Foer

"Soccer is much more than a game, or even a way of life. It is a perfect window into the cross–currents of today's world, with all its joys and its sorrows. In this remarkably insightful, wide–ranging work of reportage, Franklin Foer takes us on a surprising tour through the world of soccer, shining a spotlight on the clash of civilizations, the international economy, and just about everything in between."

Soccernomics: Why England loses, why Germany and Brazil win, and why the U.S., Japan, Australia, Turkey - And Even Iraq - Are Destined to Become the Kings of the World's Most Popular Sport
Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski

Despite the long title, this great read takes a precise analytical eye of an economist and couples it with a sports writer's skill to answer intriguing questions in regards to common thoughts such as why can't the U.S. dominate the sport of soccer? Why does it seem that the people who run soccer teams make very dumb decisions? Kuper and Szymanski turn data on its head in this interesting and irreverent look at the world of soccer.

Celebrate Father's Day with the RPL

This Sunday, June 20th marks Father's day, and what better way to spend some time with Dad than curled up with a book? The Belmont branch is planning a fun celebration on Saturday, June 19th, so stop by to enjoy the festivities and maybe select a few books to read together. We have a few recommendations to help you get started. Happy Dad's Day!

 Father's Day is tomorrow, and Langley Snail is ready.This year, he finally gets an allowance, so there will be no more disastrous homemade presents for his dad. All of Langley's friends are off to the store to buy their dads the latest gadgets, but by the time he catches up, it's closed (he is a snail, after all). However, on his way home, Langley discovers what might just be a better gift than anything that money can buy.

Join in the adventure of discovering all of the different ways that children can be just like their parents. This flip format book is a great interactive experience for parents and children alike.

Maria's dad lives "a whole plane ride away." Lacking knowledge about his interests and livelihood, she invents grand tales when other fathers visit her school to share their talents. When her mother goes on a trip, he arrives to care for her. His boisterous personality, spicy cooking, and silly nicknames overwhelm her at first, but the tension is alleviated by the enthusiastic approval of her classmates as they respond to his songs and stories. Her supportive teacher points out that father and daughter are "two peas in a pod" in this uplifting and fun tale.

A wonderful story about a father who imparts all of his vast knowledge of the world to his young son. Detailed and vivid illustrations depict the close relationship between the this dad and son, and is a great book to read together.

New RPL Materials!

It's that time again - we have a HUGE number of new books, DVDs and more now available at your local RPL branch just in time for your summer selections! New materials range from children's DVDs such as Astro Boy and Toy Story 2 to new Adult Fiction such as Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and the final installment to Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

Per usual, you can find the link to all new materials below. To go to a specific section of interest, simply click that link (i.e. "Adult Mystery") in the table of contents. To search for a specific title, simply press "Ctrl" and "F" on your keyboard and type your query into the "Find" box that will pop up.

Click HERE to view all new RPL materials

Happy borrowing!

RPL Reading Pick - The Wettest County in the World

We haven't done much in the way of book reviews or recommendations here on the RPL blog, but I wanted to share a book I've been reading recently for a few reasons. First, when you read a good book, you want to recommend it to as many people as possible and second, this book has very close historical ties to Richmond and Virginia as a whole, which made the story even more intriguing as it unfolded in our backyard.

The Wettest County in the World tells the story of the Bondurant Boys - a notorious gang of  brothers and moonshiners who ran their product through Franklin County, Virginia and beyond to areas all over the east and beyond, including Richmond, DC, Philadelphia and New York. 

Based on a true story, (and written by their grandson, Matt Bondurant), this historical depiction of the liquor running business during Prohibition and beyond had me enthralled from the first chapter. At times both violent and endearing, the story follows the evolution of Forrest, Howard and Jack Bondurant into the most successful and feared group of liquor dealers in Virginia, if not the entire east coast. 

Moonshine was a dangerous business and there were times that I found myself clutching the book as violent backwoods battles over liquor raged. However, this tale also weaves heartbreaking stories of family life during the Depression, young love, desperation, and passion into the mix as well. 

Overall, it's a great story that I would recommend to anyone who likes both fiction or historical fiction - it's not top-heavy with historical information but provides a solid background of the moonshine trade while focusing on the development of the characters. 

The Wettest County in the World is also available at the Richmond Public Library - if you've read this book and would like to provide your own commentary, leave a comment with your thoughts and we can start a discussion!

New RPL Materials

For our third installment of this feature, we have a great array of new materials across the board. There is a great new selection of computer instruction guides to the new Windows 7 and Excel as well as AutoCAD. Further instruction books include several gardening books, as well as cookbooks.

As for adult fiction, we have the newest works from best-selling authors Ian McEwan and Yann Martel. Mr. McEwan's new novel is entitled Solar and Mr. Martel's new work is Beatrice and Virgil. Juvenile nonfiction has a large new collection of science and nature-themed books, and we have added several Oscar-nominated films to our DVD collection, including Precious, The Blind Side, and Up in the Air.

Just click on the link below to be taken to the full page of new materials. Click on the subject you're interested in (i.e. Adult Fiction) to be taken directly to that list, or just scroll up and down the page to view all materials.

Looking for a specific title? Search by using "Crtl + F" to bring up a "Find" search within the page. Happy borrowing!

Click here to view all new RPL materials

Earth Day's 40th Birthday

Sewanee No. 17 by Don Hamerman

Earth Day celebrates its 40th year of existence this year on April 22nd! There are many activities that a family with young children can do to celebrate, so we've rounded up a few fun children's selections from our catalog as well as Earth Day events happening in our fair city of Richmond this week.

Every Day is Earth Day

Jane O'Connor

Earth Day Birthday

Linda Schnetzler 

Earth Day - Hooray!

Stuart Murphy

Richmond Area events and celebrations:

Celebrate Earth Day Recycling Night at the Diamond with the Richmond Flying Squirrels

Tonight! - Wednesday, April 21st

The CVWMA is celebrating 20 years as central Virginia's recycling provider and is hosting this special event with the Flying Squirrels. There will be give-aways (free hats!), an autograph signing session with mascots Nutzy and R3, live music and recycling trivia. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7:05.

Richmond Earth Day Festival 

Sunday, April 25th from 12 p.m. to 5p.m.

This annual event will be held  at the Flood Wall & 4th Street downtown, just south of the 14th Street Bridge. The celebration includes live music, local food, and a recycled art exhibit. 

If you're a fishing enthusiast, this is a great year to attend - there will be a Family Fish Release, Fly-Casting workshops, and opportunities to fish throughout the day with gear and instruction available to you!

Children's Gardening Spring Fling - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden 

Sunday, April 25th from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Kick off the gardening season and celebrate Earth Day with this weekend's Spring Fling! This event offers family fun with garden activities, music and food.

Most Challenged Books of 2009

Just in time for National Library Week: The American Library Association (ALA) has released their list of "Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2009," and two new titles have made the list this year - Twilight (series) by Stephanie Meyer and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. You can view the whole release on the ALA's website here.

Challenged books have been tracked by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom for close to twenty years. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint to a library or school because of content or appropriateness. However, the ALA does estimate that the majority of challenges go undocumented, and that the following list most likely represents only about 20 to 25 percent of challenges that actually occur. 

So with these numbers in mind, what does this list really mean? Everything and nothing it seems, depending on who you ask. The important thing is that this list represents your individual right to free access of library materials, and the community discussion that these materials can help foster. That being said, you can find any of these books at your local Richmond Public Library branch.

Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2009

1. ttyl, ttfn, l8r, g8r (series) by Lauren Myracle

2. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosky

4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

5. Twilight (series) by Stephanie Meyer

6. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

7. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

8. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

9. The Color Purple by Alice Walker

10.The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

New Materials at the RPL

It's that time again! Click the link below to browse all of the new materials available through your RPL. For more information on this new feature, click here to view the introductory post.

Highlights from this update include a slew of new travel books, including Rick Steves' London, Paris, Italy and more. We also have new Adult Fiction such as the New York Times bestsellers The Help by Kathryn Stockett and Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline, as well as several new volumes of Young Adult poetry, such as African Acrostics: a word in edgeways by Avis Harley.

View all new RPL materials here 

Quick note - if you are searching for a specific title and don't feel like scrolling or clicking through the document, you can search by using "Crtl + F" to bring up a "Find" search within the page.

As always, you can view materials available at each branch, request an interlibrary transfer, or place a hold on your new materials through your online account, or simply call your local branch for further information on reserving new materials. Happy borrowing!

Book Buzz with Nancy Pearl

This past week, the Public Library Association held its annual meeting in Portland, Oregon. The highlight for many attendees was a talk given by the infamous Nancy Pearl titled, "Book Buzz with Nancy Pearl." 

If you're not already familiar with Nancy Pearl, she is a well-known librarian, author and book critic who formerly was the Executive Director of the Washington Center of the Book for the Seattle Public Library.

In short, she loves to read. And recommend. 

Hence, she has a blog that details her current reads, is a regular contributor to on NPR and...has an action figure.  When she gives a talk about new books she is excited about, people tend to listen. Here are a few of the upcoming releases that she highlighted at the conference:

Kelly O’Connor McNees’s The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott (Amy Einhorn: Putnam, April 1, 2010)

This is the debut of Kelly O'Conner McNees, and it is sufficient to say that it is thought to be a great one. Her website details her first work:

"Kelly O’Connor McNees deftly mixes fact and fiction as she imagines a summer lost to history, carefully purged from Louisa’s letters and journals, a summer that would change the course of Louisa’s writing career—and inspire the story of love and heartbreak between Jo and Teddy “Laurie” Laurence, Jo’s devoted  neighbor and kindred spirit."

Justin Cronin’s, The Passage 

(Ballantine, June 2010)

This apocalyptic tome, (and it is a tome, at over 600 pages), is apparently "so big" that the unpublished manuscript caused a studio bidding war a few years back - of which Fox 2000 and director Ridley Scott were the winners.

The story is a enthralling mix of fantasy, sci-fi and thriller that weaves the story of government experiments gone awry. From the official website:

"First, the unthinkable: a security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment. Then, the unspeakable: a night of chaos and carnage gives way to sunrise on a nation, and ultimately a world, forever altered. All that remains for the stunned survivors is the long fight ahead and a future ruled by fear—of darkness, of death, of a fate far worse."

Guy Gavriel Kay, Under Heaven

(Penguin Group Canada, Late April 2010)

This new work from the best-selling author fuses history and fantasy that was inspired by the Tang Dynasty of China in the eighth century. 

"Under Heaven is a novel on the grandest narrative scale, encompassing the intimate details of individual lives in an unforgettable time and place."

You can read parts of the first chapter and learn more about the book on the official website.

You can also get a taste of this author by reading some of Mr. Kay's previous works. Check them out at your local branch - two of his most recent titles that we have in the catalog are:

Ysabel
Guy Gavriel Kay

ISBN: 0451461290

The Last Light of the Sun
Guy Gavriel Kay

ISBN: 0451459652

Nathaniel Philbrick's The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull and the Battle of the LittleBig Horn

(Viking Adult, May 2010)

 From the author of the National Book Award-winning Mayflower, this historical work sheds new light on one of the most iconic stories of the American West known as Custer's last stand. Philbrick follows the stories of two legendary figures: George Armstrong Custer, the infamous Union cavalry officer and Sitting Bull, savvy leader of the Plains Indians.

Previous Nathaniel Philbrick works to check out:

Mayflower

Nathaniel Philbrick

ISBN: 9780143111979

From the catalog:

"In Mayflower, Philbrick casts his spell once again, giving us a fresh and extraordinarily vivid account of our most sacred national myth: the voyage of the Mayflowerand the settlement of Plymouth Colony. From the Mayflower’s arduous Atlantic crossing to the eruption of King Philip’s War between colonists and natives decades later, Philbrick reveals in this electrifying history of the Pilgrims a fifty-five-year epic, at once tragic and heroic, that still resonates with us today."

Charles Todd's An Impartial Witness

(Harper Collins, August 2010)

The second in the series featuring Bess Crawford, a British nurse during World War I. 

You can find the first Bess Crawford novel by this mother-son writing duo at your RPL:

A Duty to the Dead

Charles Todd

ISBN: 9780061791765

From the catalog:

"The winning first in a new WWI series introduces Bess Crawford, a resourceful British army nurse who's injured when her ship is sunk in 1916. While convalescing in England, Bess is tormented because she's put off delivering a message from Arthur Graham, a dying soldier under her care for whom she'd developed strong feelings, to his family. Her own brush with death prompts her to travel to Kent and transmit Arthur's cryptic last words to one of his three brothers. Bess becomes further enmeshed in the family's affairs after she learns the obscure message may relate to Graham's half-brother, Peregrine, who was committed to a local asylum for a girl's murder years before."

Of course, this is only a sampling of new releases from publishers, so you can check out the PLA's website for more titles that people are anticipating.

We'll also keep you updated about the books that the Richmond Public Library will have available upon the release of these upcoming titles, so don't forget to check out our upcoming "New Materials" posts!

New Materials, New Feature

Source

Happy St. Patrick's Day! We're pleased to introduce the newest update to the Richmond Public Library's services - new material notification! By simply clicking the link below, you can view all new materials offered by the RPL this month.

To utilize the new material webpage, simply click on a subject in the table of contents to jump to specific materials, like DVDs or Adult Fiction. Or, you can scroll down the page to browse all new materials.

View all new RPL materials here

This new feature will compile on all new materials available at the RPL approximately every two weeks, so be sure to check back for regular updates.

You can view materials available at each branch, request an interlibrary transfer, or place a hold on your new materials through your online account, or simply call your local branch for further information on reserving new materials.

 We're pleased to bring you this new option, and would also appreciate any feedback you have with the new page. Happy browsing!

What does the 2010 Census mean for you?

 Source

You're probably tired of hearing about the 2010 Census, how important it is for you to participate, what it means for federal aid in our area, etc. Or, maybe you haven't really thought about it at all, and tomorrow a letter from the U.S. Census Bureau will be sitting in your mailbox for you to open or throw away. Either way, it's never a bad idea to be informed - so we've compiled a brief set of facts for you to consider about this 2010 Census.

Facts You Might Already Know

• The Census, among many other things, will be used to allocate billions of dollars of Federal Aid over the next ten years - and this aid is based on the demographics of each area of the country. 

From Richmond.gov, "Federal funding is distributed to the City of Richmond based on our population...Help our city provide quality schools, quality healthcare, quality transportation.."

• The Census is used to help draw Congressional Districts and administer Electoral College votes to the each state = correct total of people located in a district = correct number of representatives elected in your area = correct government representation for your community.

• The Census questionnaire is one of the shortest in history and contains only 10 questions (Click here to view an interactive preview of the form) = this civic will duty take an average of 10 minutes of your time - much less than serving on a jury or filing taxes!

• The Census is confidential by law, and information released to the Census Bureau may not be released to any other federal organization or law enforcement.

Facts You Might Not Know - But Can Now Tell Your Friends

• Richmond's mail participation rate in the 2000 Census (65%) was below the national average (72%) in 2000. Doubt my information-gathering skills? Click here to find out for yourself, and compare Richmond to other areas of the county.

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau study, Federal Aid to States for Fiscal Aid 2008, Virginia ranked 49th out of 50 states in Federal Aid to State and Local Governments per Capita. Click here to view the entire report for yourself. Federal grants included Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Agriculture, and other services.

• From the AP: "In 2000, the Census Bureau noted for the first time an overcount of 1.3 million people, mostly from duplicate counts of more affluent whites with multiple homes. About 4.5 million people were ultimately missed, mostly blacks and Hispanics."

Of course, there is much more information regarding the upcoming Census than we've listed here. If you are interested in learning more about the 2010 Census in general, or jobs with the Census Bureau, be sure to visit their website for more information.

You can also visit the Richmond Public Library to view past Census data, including a Census Atlas that combines Census data from 1790 through 2000:

Census Atlas of the United States: Census 2000 Special Reports
United States Bureau of Census

If you wish to take a look at the type of data and data patterns the census will produce, look no further than this Census Atlas. From the catalog:

"This is the first comprehensive atlas published by the US Census Bureau since the early 20th century. It is divided into topical themes and chapters with simple and clean yet colorful maps, charts, and graphs that visually display demographic data from 1790 to 2000. The demographic data are arranged in such a way that readers can get a historical snapshot of the changes and fluctuations that have occurred over time."

Youth Arts Month at the RPL

This March, the Richmond Public Library is celebrating Youth Arts Month, and we're pleased to have the opportunity to take part in our vibrant local arts community.

Our regular First Friday Exhibition on March 5th will showcase original artwork from students of Richmond Public Schools, as well as artwork from students of the IQRA Academy of Richmond. The special First Friday will also feature musical performances from Richmond Public School students.

Artwork by Sebastian Wimbush / George Wythe

In addition to the usual Main First Friday exhibition, many local branches will also feature Richmond student artwork for the entire month of March, and are holding Youth Art Receptions to celebrate the young student artists. Belmont, Broad Rock, Hull Street and West End branches are all hosting receptions this Thursday, March 4th from 4-6pm.

If you're curious about art, interested in taking a class, or just wish to learn more about art to impress your friends, Richmond is the place to be. For instance, the Richmond Public Schools have a multitude of available art classes and opportunities for their students, which can be viewed here, on their website.

Additionally, Richmond has many other venues where youth art classes are available, including but not limited to:

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond Youth Classes,

Art Works holds a Children's Art Program on the first and second Saturdays of each month,

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts holds several art classes for teens - click here to find out more about the program.


And of course, the RPL has materials for furthering your own art interests. The following are a few selections leaning toward modern art that may help you get started.


Art 21: Art in the 21st Century
Thelma Golden

The companion volume to the PBS television series introduces 21 American artists, established and emerging, working in a variety of media. The series is noted as "looking forward to the future rather than back to the past," and features profiles and discussions with the artists regarding how they work and why and is structured around 4 themes: place, spirituality, identity and consumption.


If you missed the televisions series, it is available in its entirety, (season one through four), for free on the PBS website, along with an accompanying blog, slideshows of artwork and biographies of all featured artists.


I sold Andy Warhol. (too soon)
Richard Polsky

For those of us who have no idea how current art market functions or what really determines value, this "highly enjoyable insider's guide" follows Mr. Polsky's path (as an art dealer) after he sells Andy Warhol's "Fright Wig" self portrait at auction for $320,00. If he had waited a few more years, it would have captured millions. This memoir exposes the absurdities and hypocrises of the art dealer's world, and helps the reader understand economic evolution of art, and the subsequent cultural impact.




Henry Moore, sculpting the 20th century
Dorothy M. Kosinski

From the catalog:
"Edited by Dallas Museum of Art curator Dorothy Kosinski, and serving as the catalogue for an exhibition currently touring the U.S., the book covers the artist's entire career, from his early primitivism to his 1930s surrealism to his post-war public art. Photos of over 120 of Moore's suggestively abstract plasters, carvings, bronzes and drawings grace the pages of the book, along with scholarly essays from Moore proponents."

Tax Help in Several Mediums

Source

Writing this post was the first, (and probably will be the last), time that I was excited about taxes. The reason? Hopefully the following information will lessen your own potential tax anticipation dread, and may even provide you with an increased refund as well as free assistance with the preparation and filing of your taxes.

The "potential free tax preparation" aspect of this paragraph is brought to you by the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This is a federal tax credit for low-to-middle income working individuals and families. To qualify, you must file an income tax return - even if the IRS doesn't require filing income taxes for your income level. A great benefit from qualifying for and claiming this credit is that not only may it increase your refund, but that you can receive free assistance with your return.

Here is a general breakdown of those who will most likely qualify for the EITC from the Virginia Department of Social Services, who has great detail about this tax credit on their website.

If you worked in 2009 and had an earned income of less than:

• $13,440 ($18,440 if married filing jointly) if there is no qualifying child you may be eligible for a credit of up to $457.

• $35,463 ($40,463 if married filing jointly) if there is one qualifying child you may be eligible for a credit of up to $3,043.

• $40,295 ($45,295 if married filing jointly) if there are two qualifying children you may be eligible for a credit of up to $5,028.

• $43,279 ($48,279 if married filing jointly) if there are three or more qualifying children you may be eligible for a credit of up to $5,657.

Unsure of your exact income numbers as stated above? The IRS has an EITC "Eligibility Screening" website in both English and Spanish to help you determine if you qualify - click here to be taken directly to the site, and choose the 2009 tax year version, then click on "Start Here: Am I an Eligible Individual?"

It should only take about 15-20 minutes, and you should have your 2009 W-2 handy to complete the screening.

Source

Once you determine if you are qualified for the EITC, there are numerous free tax preparation organizations in Richmond and the surrounding areas. The Greater Richmond Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition (GREITCC) is a great organization to call ((804) 755-6432) to find your closest tax preparation station.

The GREITCC is currently running two sites in Henrico County - you can also visit Henrico County's website to learn more:

• Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive
• Feb. 2 to April 14
  
• 4-8 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday

• Fairfield Area Library, 1001 N. Laburnum Ave.
• Feb. 13 to March 13
  
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday

There are additional EITC tax preparation sites in Richmond, including many local social service offices, including the Richmond City Department of Social Services. Call to find the details and hours they have available for EITC tax preparation:

Marshall Plaza Building
900 E. Marshall St.
Richmond, VA 23240
(804) 646-7212

Click here for their website, which includes the addresses and hours for the Southside and East Richmond Community Service Centers.

For those who might not qualify for the ETIC, there are a few other sources of help with your taxes at the Richmond Public Library. While we can't promise free tax preparation, we can offer you the tools to help you do it yourself!


Stand Up to the IRS
(2009)
Frederick W. Daily

This book is not quite as combative as the title might suggest - it actually is a good resource for explaining procedures of the IRS and how to use this knowledge to your advantage. Topics range from how to file for a late tax return to how to get a Taxpayer Assistance Order.




Deduct It! Lower your small business taxes
(2009)
Fishman

For any small business owners out there, this guide provides an in-depth look at how small businesses are taxed and how to maximize all of your potential deductions that the IRS considers legitimate.





J.K Lasser's Online Taxes
(2002)
Barbara Weltman

A complete guide to using the internet to prepare and submit your taxes. This guide is a few years old, but still contains tax strategies and valuable advice about comparing tax preparation programs, how to use them and what might work best for you.

Black History Month - Children's Events

Source - Richmond Jazz Society

The Children's Museum of Richmond is hosting a great line-up of performances for Black History month on Saturdays in February, starting tomorrow, February 13th through the end of the month.

This Saturday, Grammy-nominated artist and master of the ngoni Cheick Hamala Diabate (click here to listen) and the Richmond Jazz society will perform at 11am and 1pm, respectively.

Additional performances at the Children's Museum include:

Saturday, February 20th at 11am - A dance and musical performance by Ezibu Muntu African Dance and Cultural Foundation.

Saturday, February 27th at 11am - Elegba Folklore Society
Saturday, February 27th at 1pm - Richmond Boys Choir




Additionally, the Main branch of the RPL will also be hosting the special program, "All About Peanuts on the Farm: George Washington Carver" for preschoolers on Tuesday, February 23rd at 10am.
The event will be held in the Auditorium in the lower level of the library.

If you would like to discover more about the famous inventor before the event, feel free to check out a few of these children's book selections:


A picture book of George Washington Carver
David A. Adler

A brief biography of the African American scientist who overcame tremendous hardship to make important scientific discoveries. This biography is well-suited to read aloud, and contains quotes from Mr. Carver.




A man for all seasons: the life of George Washington Carver Stephen Krensky

From our catalog:

"How does a small seed become a big pumpkin? Why do some plants need more sun than others? From the time he was a child growing up in Missouri, George Washington Carver's favorite place was the garden. His passion for learning about nature was boundless..."




George Washington Carver
Tonya Bolden

From our catalog:

"A Coretta Scott King Honor Award author offers a fresh look at this pioneering American innovator. Shampoo from peanuts? Wallpaper from clay? Ink from sweet potatoes? Discover Carver’s imagination and inspiration in this one-of-a-kind biography."