Thursday, January 30, 2014

Winter Is for Reading

Warm up this winter by wrapping up in a warm blanket and reading. This January and February MPL is hosting a winter reading program, "There's Snow Better Time to Read." This program is for all ages and reading levels.

Participants will set goals of how many books will be read by March 1. When the goal is met, they bring in their reading log and then they will receive a prize. For those under 12, the goal will be based on how many hours they read while the goal will be based on hours someone reads to them for those under five. (Minimum goal is 3 books for those 12+ or five hours for those under 12. One entry/prize per person.)

Mark your calendars because the program will run January 13 through March 3. Grab a warm blanket and a book and set your goal to read this winter. Registration is going on now on the first floor.

Becky Hadley, Readers Advisor

Meet Library Volunteer Jennye

What do you like most about Volunteering?

I want to tell you that working at the library is very exciting to me because I have never done it before. Thank you for asking me.

What brought you to the library to volunteer?

I used to work at the Flying J in McCammon. I used to bag French fries and roll up silverware for the customers and then Bang! I ended up losing my job, and then I started at the library.

What are your favorite books, authors, or subjects and why are they your favorites?

Do you really want to know? I am mostly interested in non-fiction, documentary, and educational books (especially architecture and astronomy). I do not have any favorite authors.

What do you like to do when you are not Volunteering?

After I am done volunteering I go up to the 2nd floor and spend most of my free time looking at books and I get a huge stack of books I like. The same goes with the videos and DVDs. I especially like to check them out because I really want to keep my father entertained. As soon as I finish watching DVDs with him, he is begging me to go back to the library and get some more.

Notes from Judy Minshall, Jennye’s mom

Jennye grew up and still lives in a house her family built between Inkom and McCammon along the Portneuf River. Growing up with no television the whole family learned to read, a lot! Since first grade, reading has been Jennye’s passion. Jennye worked at the Flying J for 11 years, till its closure. Jenny has experience with volunteering working with the Friends of the Marshall Public Library during its annual book sales and with St. Vincent De Paul filling Thanksgiving boxes and helping with clothing donations. Jennye has very eclectic taste when it comes to books. Over the years, she has studied everything from JFK to Roller Coasters. Jennye’s usual style is to browse and explore every book in a specific section; in this manner she has found many “treasures” including some that were essential to her dad when he wrote his book Wilderness Brothers. In the rest of her free time, Jennye enjoys taking care of the family’s chickens, working with Black Rock artist Margo Proksa in clay, studying the Bible, participating in Special Olympics, and reminding her parents of all the things they’ve forgotten to do.

Free Tax Filing at Library

Confused about your taxes? Having trouble filing? Help is here for you at your library!

Volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons who have received trainingfrom the IRS and the Idaho State Tax Commission staff this program. They are ready to assist you in the electronic filing of your state and Federal tax returns. And it's absolutely free!

This program focuses on the low-income or elderly but is open to everyone. Starting on Monday, February 3 and running through April 10, the volunteers will be at the library every Monday evening from 5-8 p.m. and every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. No appointments will be taken and it is first come, first served.

Bring the following (if necessary) with you:

• Valid picture ID and social security cards or a document from SSA with your name and SSN

If you don't have a valid Social Security Card, you can go to the Social Security Office for a proof of Social Security number letter to bring to the library.

• Social Security cards for dependents

If your dependents don’t have a valid Social Security Card, go to the Social Security Office for a proof of Social Security number letter to bring to the library.

• Form W-2 from each employer/p>

• Form 1099-INT or 1099-DIV (to report interest and dividends)

• SSA-1099 or RRB-1099 (to report social security and railroad retirement)

• 1099-R (to report pension income)

• List of your medical, taxes, interest, contributions, and miscellaneous expenses (to itemize your deductions)

• Copy of last year's tax return

• Child and disabled dependent care

•Copy of divorce decree that shows you are entitled to claiming the child or children for tax purposes and/or earned income credit.

Congratulations to Justine!

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is a nation-wide program that celebrates the creative, artistic, and writing skills of students grades 7-12. My Advanced Placement English teacher, Jill Pixton, was the one who introduced me to the Awards, though at first I brushed it off as something to do later.

However, in my attempt to find scholarships, I stumbled upon the Awards again, and decided what the heck, and started prowling my laptop for written works (as unfortunately, the deadline for writing was only a few days away, thus giving me no time to come up with inspiration). In order to register, I had to fill out a basic application, create an account, and, finally, submit my portfolio and my application fee.

I submitted four works, one a poem while the other three were short stories. These pieces had been written a short while ago, namely for the writing group that meets at the Marshall Public Library, Literally Talented Teens, run by Amy Campbell and Kath Ann Hendricks. I have been going to the group since I turned 13, and before that I attended Write On, another group at the MPL for kids, for a couple of years. The groups have helped me out in my writing, and I do believe my skills as a writer have gotten better because of them.

Those skills helped me to attain Honorable Mention for Idaho in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. It isn't like getting first place or anything, but if you take into account that an entire nation of kids is submitting to the Awards, it's a very nice prize to win! I'm very honored to receive the award, and I feel like my confidence was given a bit of a boost.

To be honest, though, I had totally forgotten about the Awards as I have a lot on my plate. Between applying for colleges and scholarships as well as juggling classes and now a part in my high school musical, I didn't have time to think about it that much. Sure, every now and then I would think, Hey, I might get emailed in a few weeks, but otherwise, I kept my thoughts far away from the Awards.

On a final note, I challenge those who are eligible, and who have a love of writing--be it essays, poems, short stories, or what have you--or a love of art--drawing, painting, or design-- to join the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. You might be surprised at how far your work could go.

Justine, Literally Talented Teen Member