News

PA Forward Star Library Program Launch

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Your Peters Township Public Library is participating in the PA Forward Star Library Program as part of the Pennsylvania Library Association’s 21st Century Literacies Initiative, PA Forward. This statewide initiative places the spotlight on Pennsylvania libraries and the important role our libraries have in the lives of citizens.

We are excited to raise awareness of our programs and offerings that help Pennsylvania citizens improve their command of five types of literacy – basic, information, civic and social, health, and financial. These literacies are essential to greater success in all vital roles of life: as students, as parents, as employees, as consumers, as citizens.

As part of the program, logos on our event flyers and marketing materials will identify which specific literacies the events support. PA Forward encourages all Pennsylvania libraries to use cohesive branding and marketing tools to frame communications to key stakeholders – elected officials, community leaders, donors, patrons, board, Friends, and employees. Libraries use PA Forward’s five literacies as a guiding framework for setting service priorities, identifying potential community and funding partners, structuring strategic plans, and building well-rounded, multi-skilled boards.

We hope you will visit our library to take advantage of our exciting programs and events we have planned for 2017 and become part of moving PA Forward!

About PA Forward

The Pennsylvania Library Association’s PA Forward | Pennsylvania Libraries initiative was conceived to give voice to what the library community already knows, and what other states throughout the nation are also recognizing: With the right support, libraries are ideally positioned to become the community centers of information, technology, and learning that will fuel educational and economic opportunity for all of our citizens.

Libraries have moved far beyond just being book repositories. They’re agile institutions serving real-life needs. Libraries can be key to powering progress and elevating the quality of life in PA by fueling the types of knowledge essential to success: Basic Literacy, Information Literacy, Civic and Social Literacy, Health Literacy, and Financial Literacy.

For more information: PAForward.org; facebook.com/paforward

Take steps NOW for tax filing season

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Get ready today to file your 2016 federal income tax return. Read this information from the IRS web site:

Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)

What You Need to Know

  • Processing delays are likely for filers with expired Individual Tax Identification Numbers.
  • There are two reasons an ITIN would expire December 31, 2016:
    • If you have not used your ITIN on a U.S. tax return at least once for tax years 2013, 2014 or 2015 or
    • If your ITIN has the middle digits 78 or 79 (9NN-78-NNNN or 9NN-79-NNNN)

What You Need to Do

  • You can renew your ITIN now if it expired and you plan to use it on a U.S. tax return.
  • No action is needed by expired ITIN holders who don’t need to file a tax return next year.
  • There are new documentation requirements when applying for or renewing an ITIN for certain dependents.
  • To avoid delays, ensure accurate W-7 and valid ID documents are submitted.
  • Find more information at IRS.gov/ITIN.

Refunds

What You Need to Know

  • Expecting a refund? Some refunds must be held until February 15.
    • According to a new tax law change, the IRS cannot issue refunds before February 15 for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit.
    • This applies to the entire refund, even the portion not associated with these credits.
  • The IRS will begin to release EITC/ACTC refunds starting February 15. However, the IRS cautions taxpayers that these refunds likely won’t arrive in bank accounts or debit cards until the week of February 27. Read more about refund timing for early EITC/ACTC filers.

What You Need to Do

  • Be careful not to count on getting a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying other financial obligations.
  • You don’t need to wait until February 15 to file your tax return. While the IRS must hold the refund until February 15, it will begin taking the steps it normally does to process your tax return once the filing season starts.
  • File a complete and accurate return and include all known refundable credits with your original return.
  • Check Where’s My Refund on IRS.gov or the IRS mobile app, IRS2Go, after February 15 for your personalized refund status.

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)

What You Need to Know

  • Some taxpayers using a software product for the first time may need to know their 2015 Adjusted Gross Income, or AGI, to e-file their 2016 tax return.
  • When self-preparing your taxes and filing electronically, you must sign and validate your electronic tax return by entering your prior-year AGI or your prior-year Self-Select PIN. Using an electronic filing PIN is no longer an option.

What You Need to Do

  • If you have a copy of your 2015 federal income tax return, your AGI is on line 37 of the Form 1040; line 21 on the Form 1040-A or line 4 on the Form 1040-EZ.x
  • Learn more about how to verify your identity and electronically sign your tax return at Validating Your Electronically Filed Tax Return.

Protecting Taxpayers

What You Need to Know

  • To better protect taxpayers, the IRS recently upgraded its identity verification process for certain online self-help tools. The purpose is to prevent taxpayer impersonations and account takeovers by identity thieves.

What You Need to Do

  • Because the Secure Access platform is more rigorous, it helps if you prepare to register in advance.
  • The new authentication is currently being applied to Get Transcript Online.

IRS Help

What You Need to Know

  • All IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers now operate by appointment only.
  • Many questions can be resolved on the IRS.gov website without visiting a TAC.

What You Need to Do

  • Start with IRS.gov for help including tools, filing options and other services and resources.
  • If you believe your tax issue cannot be handled online or by phone, always check IRS.gov for days and hours of service as well as services offered at the IRS TAC location you plan to visit. For most services you must call to make an appointment.

“Mother Earth” Pallet Tree Raffle

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You still have a few days left to purchase raffle tickets to win this lovely “Mother Earth” Christmas Tree hand built from pallets by Jackie Hlavinka and decorated by the Lexington Court Garden Club. Tickets are $3 each or 2/$5.00 at the Circulation Desk.

The winner will be drawn on Tuesday, December 13. Help will be available to take apart the tree for easy transport. The winner will receive instructions on reassembling the tree as well. All proceeds benefit the library.

3 Ways to Help Your Neighbors

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Peters Township Girl Scout Troup #16241 is collecting food for “Blizzard Bags” from November 28 through December 16 at the library. Peters Township Meals on Wheels provides a ‘Blizzard Bag’ to their clients in the event that meals cannot be delivered. The Girl Scouts are collecting these items to help prepare ‘Blizzard Bags’:

  • Canned Soup
  • Cracker packs
  • Cookie packs (regular & sugar free)
  • Hot Cocoa packets (regular & sugar free)
  • Fruit cups (regular & sugar free)
  • Pudding cups (regular & sugar free)

Peters Township Food Pantry is an extension of the Greater Washington Food Bank serving individuals and families who are financially at a reduced income. Drop off your non-perishable food donations during library hours in the large bin under the main staircase. They are always in need of proteins (peanut butter, tuna, stews) or personal care items (toilet paper, shampoo, paper towels, soap). The PT Food Pantry distributes on the 2nd Friday of the month, which would be Friday, December 9.

Last date to drop-off toys for Washington County Toys for Tots is December 6. The Washington County Toys For Tots was established in 2003 and is a local chapter of the National Toys For Tots Organization. Your generous contribution will help to provide a brighter Christmas season for hundreds of deserving children in our local communities. All toys donated must be new, in unopened original packaging and unwrapped. Visit the Washington County PA Toys for Tots web site for a list of suggested donations for various age groups. If any item requires batteries, please attach the appropriate size and number to the box. The last day for toy drop-offs at the library is Tuesday December 6.

Getting Through the Holidays Gluten-Free

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While visiting a local farm last summer, Melanie Jaskulski’s 5-year-old daughter noticed a little girl wearing the same gluten-free alert bracelet as she was and ran to talk to her.  The elated look on her daughter’s face of meeting someone “just like her” made Melanie realize she needed to do something to bring gluten-free kids together. After doing some research, she discovered Generation GF, a national organization, and she decided to start a local chapter in this area.

To help families have a fun, gluten-free holiday season, the library is collaborating with Generation GF to host Getting through the Holidays Gluten-Free on Saturday, December 10 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Register online to attend this free, family-friendly event or call 724.941.9430 #1.

Featured speakers include:

  • Amy Macklin, RDN, one of the leading private practice Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists in the United States who specializes in helping families and individuals to live, learn, master, and even enjoy the gluten-free lifestyle. She is the author of Growing Up Gluten Free: A Lifestyle Guide For Raising Your Gluten-Free Child. A book signing will follow the program.
  • Meredith Hartladge, a Nutrition Consultant currently completing her Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition. She will be sharing recipes and samples of quick, easy snacks for gluten-free children and tips for entertaining gluten-free guests over the holidays.
  • Melanie Jaskulski, the founder of Generation GF Pittsburgh.

Generation GF, a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), is designed to build confidence in kids, teens, and young adults, and help develop them into the future leaders of our gluten-free community. Their goal is to provide safe environments where kids do not have to worry about what they are going to eat and can just enjoy the fun that comes with being a kid. More information is available at https://www.gluten.org/.

Attic find leads retired teacher to write book

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Registration is required for this program. There is limited seating available at this time. Please call 724.941.9430 #1 to inquire if any seats are available.

While cleaning out his parent’s attic, Carleton Young discovered an enormous collection of letters written during the Civil War by two soldiers. After spending about five years transcribing the letters with the help of friends, the retired history teacher compiled their stories into the book Voices from the Attic: The Williamstown Boys in the Civil War.

Young will visit the Peters Township Public Library on Thursday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. to talk about the book and his efforts to retrace the steps of the two brothers based on their letters home as they fought in the Civil War. A book signing will follow the presentation.

Young’s book tells the story of two brothers who witnessed and made history by fighting in the Peninsula Campaign, then at South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Cedar Creek. They preserved that history through their surprisingly detailed and insightful letters, rediscovered after 150 years in his parent’s attic.