Author: cheshirelib

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in June

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Fantastic programs, new services, and of course, Summer Reading are coming your way in June!

Social Media Marketing Made Simple and
LinkedIn for Business
Tuesday, June 3rd at 7:00pm

This information-packed seminar offers a basic review of the essential strategies and best practices an entrepreneur should understand to successfully use social media and LinkedIn. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 

More Information
Register for this program

 

Survivors Swing Band
Sunday, June 8th at 4:00pm
The Survivors Swing Band, a 7-piece professional jazz band, based in Connecticut, plays classic melodies from an era gone by–hot tunes and soothing ballads of the Swing Era– plus many of the wonderful melodies from the two decades that followed. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

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Cooking with Chef John Bencivengo
Wednesday, June 18th at 6:30pm
Chef John Bencivengo of Chowder Pot lll will prepare 6 delicious dishes for you & will give out copies of the recipes. In addition, Chowder Pot lll will donate three Raffle Prizes you can win the evening of the event. There will be a donation fee of $5.00 per person to be paid at the door on the evening of the event to cover material costs. Seating is limited.  Please register.

More Information
Register for this program

 

Teen Games Drop-in
Friday, June 20th at 2:30pm
No registration required. Nintendo Wii available for group play with ROCK BAND 2, DDR, MARIO KART, BRAWL, and lots more! We’ve got board games too, so come play games and nibble snacks,  

More Information

Visit the Teen Page of our website!

 

Summer Reading Program
FIZZ, BOOM, READ! – will begin on Monday, June 23rd. We have a great summer planned for readers of all ages, including a wonderful line-up of fun kids’ programs that often have a science theme. And for those of you who are fans of “the Cheshire Library Cat,” we have some really cool t-shirts as giveaways again this year!

So be sure to look on our web site for information about how to sign-up for our online summer reading program – or come into the library and the children’s staff will be happy to answer any questions you have.

More information

Visit the Kids Page of our website!

 

Fab Film Saturdays
Saturday, June 28th at 2:00pm

How to Train Your Dragon. Hiccup is a young Viking who defies tradition when he befriends one of his deadliest foes – a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless. No registration required!
More information

Visit the Kids Page of our website!

 

Stream Videos
Now Available!

OverDrive, your source for free downloadable ebooks and audiobooks, has a new collection available: videos! You can borrow and watch free shows, movies, and more from the library’s digital collection right in your web browser without having to download files or use special software. We also just purchased Sesame Street videos for our streaming videos collection!

More Information

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New Circulation Software at the Library
Monday, June 2nd

The library will be upgrading its software to a next-generation technology platform. This will enable us to offer new services in a rapid and cost-effective manner. We are working with the system provider to convert the current system to the new platform while ensuring minimal disruption of patron services. As with implementing any new enterprise-level software, the library may experience intermittent service issues during the brief transition period.
More Information

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Summer Saturday Hours

The library will be open Saturday mornings from July 12 through August 23, from 9:30 a.m. To 1:00 p.m.
Come on in to cool off or grab a book for summer reading fun!

Summer Calendar

Museum Passes at CPL – New England Air Museum

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Cheshire Library has a collection of museum & state park passes that are available on a first come, first served basis for Cheshire residents to check out. CPL Staff member Lisa continues our series about the museum passes we offer, along with related reading material. This month, The New England Air Museum!

Featured Museum Pass:                    New England Air Museum

This month’s featured museum pass is for the New England Air Museum. This pass is valid for 2 adults or seniors at $6.00 each and 2 free children (ages 4-11); ages 3 and under free. Passes are day specific (Weekday, Saturday and Sunday) so be sure you borrow the correct pass for the day you plan on visiting the museum. All museum passes are available to Cheshire Residents on a first-come, first-served basis and must be returned by the close of business the next day.neam

The New England Air Museum is committed to presenting the story of aviation, the human genius that made it possible and the profound effects that it has had on the way in which we live. They achieve this by:

  • Preserving and presenting historically significant aircraft and related artifacts
  • Engaging our visitors through high-quality exhibits that help them understand aviation technology, history and the stories of the men and women who built, flew and made history with these famous machines
  • Inspiring students through our innovative and hands-on education programs delivered on-site and in schools that allow them to discover and reflect on aviation technology and history and its ties to social studies, science, geography and technical advancements.

The New England Air Museum offers a variety of activities, multimedia & drop-in programs for visitors. Programs offered change daily depending on the time of the year. Some things you might see include:

  • Flight Science Demonstrations: Flight really takes off in our interactive demonstrations about the science and history of flight.  From balloons to the Wright Brothers to the Space Shuttle, you can feel the pressure of air, see a balloon launch, explore the Bernoulli Principle and more.  Demonstrations are located in the Civilian Aviation Exhibit Hangar.
  • Build & Fly Activities: Hands-on “build & fly” activities that will spark the imagination and challenge the inquisitive mind.  You even get to take your new creations home with you for future flying fun. Located at the Build & Fly Station in the Military Exhibit Hangar.
  • America Takes To The Air: Explore the early days of commercial aviation from the Ford Tri-Motor, to the famous DC-3, to the Boeing 747, through hands-on, interactive demonstrations.  The demonstrations look at the marketing efforts of the early airlines, stewardess requirements, and the technology that was developed that has become the foundation of modern air travel. Visitors will get to see and touch some unique artifacts that tell this amazing story of travel and adventure.
  • Cockpit Tours: Gain a pilot’s eye perspective from the cockpit exploring the controls and flight instruments of select aircraft within our collection.
  • Flight SIM Spot: The Flight Sim Spot, puts you in the cockpit. With real cockpit controls, three large screens, great stereo sound and the best available graphics, you can fly virtually any aircraft, anywhere – even aircraft in the Museum’s collection. Trained Educators (many of them are active pilots) provide training, instruction and personal attention not only in how to use the simulators but in the many aspects of flight.

The museum is located at 36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks, CT. Hours of operation: Open 7 days a week, year round, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The Museum will close at 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and 4:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. For additional information, please contact the Museum at 860-623-3305 or check out their website at https://www.neam.org.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in May

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Another  great lineup of programs scheduled for May, including our semi-annual Book Sale!

Book Sale!

May 1st, 2nd, 3rd

Join the fun and save on great books!  This is the time to stock up  on summer reading.  See the biggest and best selection of bargain priced books!  We have something for everyone from popular current bestsellers to children’s books to great literature. The Friends have also added a large collection of vintage books to the Spring Sale. More Information

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Gardeners’ Best Friends: Websites & Books to Grow By
Tuesday May 6th at 7:00pm

Join us for conversation, books, and websites to help you grow your best garden ever. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
More Information
Register for this program

Visit our Green Thumb board on Pinterest!

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Anime Club Xtra
Tuesday May 13th at 6:00pm

Full-length Anime movies and a wider variety of Anime shows will be offered for your viewing pleasure! High school age and up. No registration required! More Information

Visit the Teen Page of our website!

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Afghan Post
Wednesday May 14th at 7:00pm

Adrian Bonenberger, author of Afghan Post, will talk about his two tours of duty in Afghanistan & the things he learned about heroism, leadership & survival. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
More Information
Register for this program

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Fab Film Saturdays
Saturday May 17th at 2:00pm

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. The magical, mythical adventures of teenager Percy Jackson – son of the Greek god Poseidon – continue in this heroic, action-packed thrill ride! No registration required!
More information

Visit the Kids Page of our website!

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Neil Fitzpatrick, Classical Guitar
Sunday May 18th at 4:00pm
Guitarist Neil Fitzpatrick returns to the Cheshire Public Library for our May Sunday Showcase Concert. No registration required! Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

More Information

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Vegetable Gardening Basics
Tuesday May 20th at 7:00pm
Grow vegetables all year long! Learn about selecting the site, building the garden, planting, tending & harvesting. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. More Information
Register for this program
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Joseph Pierce & the 14th CT Volunteer Infantry
Wednesday May 21th at 7:00pm

Civil war reenactor and author Irving Moy will present the story of Joseph Pierce & the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.  More Information
Register for this program

 

Did April 15 sneak up on you? Tax forms are still available at the library and online!

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Panic ButtonDon’t hit the Panic Button just yet, grab your calculator and head to Cheshire Library for the tax forms you need. We have many forms and instruction booklets available in our Reference Department, and lots more are available online to print out.

CT State forms may be downloaded from the Connecticut  Department of Revenue Services.

Federal tax forms may be downloaded from the Internal Revenue Service.

TAXESLast-minute Federal Income Tax tips from valueyourmoney.org:

What documents should be included with my tax form?

Generally, the only forms that need to be attached are your W-2 and certain 1099 forms. If you plan to e-file and have additional documents to include, you’ll need to fill out form 8453.

I found a mistake on one of my 1099 forms and haven’t received a corrected one yet. What should I do?

You have two choices. Either pay the amount of tax that is due and file for an extension or file your return and send an amended return later with an explanation.

Filing an extension
How do I get an extension to file my tax return?

All you need to do is file Form 4868 to obtain an automatic six-month extension. This will eliminate any late-filing penalties, but you will still need to include any taxes you owe. Additionally, it should be noted that an automatic extension does not extend all deadlines associated with your tax return; for example it does not extend the time to make an IRA contribution. If you are making an IRA contribution for the prior tax year (2013 in this case), it must be made on or before April 15, 2014

Paying your tax bill
What if I can’t pay the balance of my taxes by April 15?

If you can show undue hardship, complete and mail Form 1127 on or before April 15 to extend the time of payment for up to six months. Your application must be accompanied by evidence supporting undue hardship, a statement of assets and liabilities, and receipts and disbursements for three months prior to the original due date of the return. If you don’t think you’ll be able to pay off your outstanding tax bill in full within six months, you can file Form 9465 to request an installment agreement. However, you will be charged interest on your outstanding tax balance. As an alternative, you may want to consider getting a loan from a family member, friend, or bank.

Getting your return to the IRS by April 15
My tax return won’t be ready until April 15. What’s the best way to get it to the IRS?

E-file your return, or use the U.S. Postal System. As long as your return is postmarked on April 15, it will be deemed filed on time. If mailing your return it is strongly advised that you mail it certified/return receipt so that you have proof that you mailed it in a timely manner.

Museum Passes at CPL – CT State Parks and Forests Pass

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Cheshire Library has a collection of museum & state park passes that are available on a first come, first served basis for Cheshire residents to check out. CPL Staff member Lisa continues our series about the museum passes we offer, along with related reading material. This month, CT State Parks and Forests Pass!

Featured Museum Pass:           CT State Parks & Forests Pass

This month’s featured museum pass is for the CT State Parks & Forests. This pass can be used to cover the cost of parking at state parks and forests where there is an established parking charge.  Parking fees are charged at all four state park beaches on Long Island Sound as well as several inland parks.  The pass can also be used to cover the admission fee for two adults and four children at state historical sites and exhibit centers at Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull and Gillette Castle State Parks.  It is not valid for groups or vehicles carrying more than 12 passengers. All museum passes are available to Cheshire Residents on a first-come, first-served basis and must be returned by the close of business the next day.

parkThe State Park Pass is part of the No Child Left Inside program established by the CT DEEP. The Connecticut Library Consortium and the CT DEEP have partnered to provide Connecticut State Park Day Passes to public libraries across the state. Launched in 2006, No Child Left Inside® is a promise to introduce children to the wonder of nature – for their own health and well-being, for the future of environmental conservation, and for the preservation of the beauty, character and communities of the great State of Connecticut.  For more information on No Child Left Inside, check out their website at: http://www.ct.gov/ncli/site/default.asp

To celebrate the past, present and future of Connecticut State Parks, the Connecticut State Parks Division, in partnership with the Friends of Connecticut State Parks (FCSP) and the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA), is planning a year-long Centennial Celebration. Connecticut State Parks have much to offer: hiking, fishing, swimming, camping and picnicking are just some of the things that you can do at the various parks. To locate a park, find out what amenities are offered or learn more about the Centennial Celebration check out the CT DEEP website at http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325086&deepNav_GID=1650

For a list of state parks and forests and information on parking fees, check out: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325082&deepNav_GID=1650

To find out more about camping at Connecticut State Parks and Forests, including fees, amenities, site availability and to reserve a site go to www.reserveamerica.com

If you are interested in visiting Connecticut State Parks, you might be interested in:

Hidden in Plain Sight: A Deep Traveler Explores Connecticut by David K. Leff. In the course of the mundane routines of life, we encounter a variety of landscapes and objects, either ignoring them or looking without interest at what appears to be just a tree, stone, anonymous building, or dirt road. But the “deep traveler,” according to Hartford Courant essayist David K. Leff, doesn’t make this mistake. Instead, the commonplace elements become the most important. By learning to see the magic in the mundane, we not only enrich daily life with a sense of place, we are more likely to protect and make those places better. Over his many years working at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and writing about the state’s landscape, Leff gained unparalleled intimacy while traveling its byways and back roads. In Hidden in Plain Sight, Leff’s essays and photographs take us on a point-by-point journey, revealing the rich stories behind many of Connecticut’s overlooked landmarks.