Need help getting those complicated tax forms filled out? The American Association of Retired Persons and the San Marcos Public Library are again co-sponsoring a free income tax assistance program. Volunteers from AARP will be on hand at the library to help the low-income, handicapped, and elderly fill out their income tax returns.
Volunteer tax counselors are qualified to work on the 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ forms as well as a number of specialized tax schedules.
Taxpayers who utilize this free service should bring with them a photo ID, social security cards for all dependants, a copy of last year's income tax return, property tax receipt, W-2 forms, statements regarding pensions, annuities, interest, dividends, IRA contributions, self-employment earnings, and any other tax related documents.
E-filing is available and to have your refund deposited directly into your bank account, bring your bank routing number and your account number.
The San Marcos Public Library also has copies of standard tax forms and schedules as well as a large number of IRS publications and other books to help you during tax season.
Understanding Your
Credit Report
Monday, February 8
at 7:00 p.m.
This class will teach you the basics of your personal credit report and how it affects your life. You will find out how to build good credit, how to prevent identity theft, and how to repair bad credit. The class is sponsored by the San Marcos Public Library and the San Marcos
Housing Authority.
Music at the Library
Tuesday, February 9
at 7:00 p.m.
Everyone is invited to the library for a free concert featuring Three Way Street. They will play an eclectic mix of originals and classics, ranging from blues, folk, rock, country, and more. Band members include Tracy Weinberg on banjo and vocals, Gary Lynn Williams on guitar and vocals, and Dean Sobolik on harmonica and Mighty Tub bass. Music lovers of all ages will enjoy this talented and eclectic trio.
Human Dignity & the Genetic Revolution
Thursday, February 25
at 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Inmaculada de Melo-Martín,
Associate Professor of Public Health in the Division of Medical Ethics, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, will speak about the question of
whether new advances in medicine and medical technologies are a threat to human dignity. Many critics of cloning research, or stem-cell research, claim that such research threatens what it means to be human. Everyone is welcome to attend.
INTERNET JOB SEARCHING
Looking for a job (or a better job)? When the job market is difficult, it’s really important to effectively manage your job search – and your career.
Call the library at (512)393-8200 to make an appointment and get the help you need with résumés, cover letters, job search, and online job
applications. Our professional staff will work one-on-one to upgrade the skills you need to find the job you want.
GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION GROUP
Monday, February 22
at 7:00 PM
Interested in great literature? The Great Books Discussion Group meets each month to read and discuss selected literary works. The February reading is Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello. Call 392-6470 for details. New members are always welcome!
FREE HATHA YOGA
Friday, February 26
at 5:00 PM
Join Certified Sivananda Yoga Instructor Tina Baumgartner for this free class. Wear loose clothing and bring a towel or blanket to sit on. Everyone is welcome.
FREE COMPUTER CLASSES
Wednesdays
at 10:00 AM & 5:30 PM
The library offers free classes in basic computer skills, internet searching, email, Microsoft Word and Excel. Call 393-8200 to register.
Volunteer computer teachers are also needed. Call Susan Smith at 393-8200 if you are interested in helping.
Write impressive résumés in
minutes! Central Texas Library
System, Alamo, and South Texas library systems have partnered to pay for a subscription of RésuméMaker for libraries. Look for the desktop icon on the library’s public use computers. For over 10 years
RésuméMaker has been the #1
best-selling brand of résumé
writing software. The step-by-step guides make it fast and easy to use over 1,000 sample résumés.
JOBVIEW:
THOUSANDS OF JOBS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
The San Marcos Public Library has a very handy new tool for job seekers called JOBView. The database has job openings within Texas nationwide. Position descriptions can be printed, emailed, or sent to your cell phone. The database will automatically route you to the employer’s or program’s website in order to apply.
Other features include:
Job searches can be isolated to city or state.
The job radius search feature allows you to look for employment within a set distance from the center of a chosen city.
Search for Hourly or Part Time positions.
Search for jobs in specific categories such as Accounting and Finance, onstruction/Trades, Government/Military, Hospitality/Travel, Law Enforcement/Security, Non-Profit/Volunteer, Retail, Sales, etc.
Federal Contractors with Veteran Preference and Work in Texas positions are clearly noted.
A general search will list all jobs within the category as well as the employer. Click on the position’s title to see the full job description.
Access to the library's computers is free to residents of Hays County with a current library card. For more information on getting a card click here.
FREE GED AND ESL CLASSES
The Learning Center office hours are
Monday through Thursday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
The San Marcos Public Library and Community Action, Inc. offer free classes for GED, basic skills, and English
Language Learners (ELL). For more information of classes call 393-8215.
VOLUNTEER TO TEACH COMPUTER CLASSES
The library offers free classes in basic computing skills, Internet, Email,
Microsoft Word and Excel. Teachers are desperately needed to instruct these highly popular classes. Call Susan Smith at 393-8200 to volunteer or ask for a volunteer application at the check-out desk.
If you would like to attend the computer classes, call 393-8200 for more information and to add your name to the waiting list.
LIBRARY OFFERS TEST PROCTORING SERVICE
Distance learning and Internet classes are
growing in popularity and when students need help with access, the library is their destination. From daycare certification to TABC licenses, our reference librarians provide assistance to people every day. Nearly 90 percent of all colleges now offer online classes and when students need to have a test proctored, the library provides this service to residents of Hays County. There is a $10 per test fee and students must register in advance to have their test proctored here. The library also provides
testing services for the City of San Marcos food handler permit. Last year we proctored a total of 795 tests and this number is expected to be even higher this year.
PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE
The Library has started a listing of tutors, teachers, speakers, and experts who wish to share their professional and recreational interests with
organizations and individuals in the San Marcos area. If you are interested in being included in our file of “experts,” stop by the information desk to fill out a form.
COOL KIDS’ STUFF @ THE LIBRARY!
STORYTIMES FOR TODDLERS
Ages 6 months to 3 years
Tuesdays & Fridays at 10:15 AM
STORYTIMES FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Ages 3 years to 6 years
Tuesdays & Fridays, 11:00 AM
Children are invited every week to the library for great stories, songs, and fun. Be sure to check out some books while you are here.
PUPPET SHOW!
BEAUTY & THE BEAST
Tuesday, February 23
at 10:00, 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 26
at 10:00 & 11:00 a.m.
The library puppeteers present favorite stories that are just right for children ages 2 and up. There are no storytimes during puppet show week.
RADIO CHICA
Saturday, February 27
10:30 to 12:00 noon
Volunteers from Latinitas
Magazine will inspire girls ages 9 to 14 to find their creative expression outlets by producing original media arts projects. All girls in this age group are
welcome to explore multimedia arts such as photography,
writing, design, radio
production, and
Join the
Campfire Boys & Girls and make
valentines for your friends and more to be delivered to patients at the Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital. Children under 5 will need to bring an adult to help them.
KINDERMUSIK
Thursday, February 4 at 10:00 AM
Shake, Wriggle, and Giggle.
Immerse your child in an
atmosphere of playing, singing and dancing.
FIRED UP ABOUT READING
Thursday, February 11 at 10:30 AM
Shake, Wriggle, and Giggle.
Immerse your child in an
atmosphere of playing, singing and dancing.
LEARN TO JUGGLE
Sunday, February 21 at 2:00 PM
Yes, you can! Join experienced
juggler Aaron Friend for a fun introduction to the basics of juggling. Bring your hands and we’ll provide the rest.
