It's Tax Time!

It is Tax Time again, and the Haltom City Public Library is here to help you through it!

If you want to file your own taxes:

The IRS has reduced the amount of forms available at outlets, such as the library. We will have a limited supply of forms available. To see if they have arrived at the library, check our Facebook page, Twitter, or call the library at 817-222-7787.

Tax forms and instruction booklets are available online. Go to the IRS’s Forms & Publications page to download the PDF version.

If you prefer to have hard copies mailed to you for free, click here.

The library also has the latest copy of J. K. Lasser’s Your Income Tax to help. Click here to place a hold on it. The picture says 2007, but don't worry! Click on Availability and you can see which libraries have the current year. 

The closest IRS Office is in Fort Worth: Services Provided.
819 Taylor St., Rm. 6A14
Ft. Worth, TX 76102 

Monday-Friday - 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
817-978-3477 

If you want help filing your taxes:

The AARP will have volunteers at the library to help you file your taxes online every Thursday from February 2 to April 14, 2016. You do not need to be a senior citizen to participate, but you do need to make an appointment. Please call the library at 817-222-7787 to reserve your time. Click here for more information.

If Thursday does not work for you, you can search for other area locations on the AARP website. 

Income Tax Quick Links:

Tax Forms
Tax Forms by Mail
AARP Tax-Aide Locations

Remembering David Bowie and Alan Rickman

The world lost two great British artists this week, David Bowie and Alan Rickman. Bowie was known for constantly re-inventing his image and music style, forever changing modern rock and roll. Alan Rickman was a classically-trained actor and director, but many know him for bringing Severus Snape to life in the Harry Potter movie series.

To learn more about David Bowie, you can read a book about him, see a movie he was in, and of course don't forget to listen to his music.

To see more of Alan Rickman's work, check out a DVD.

Super Science Saturday - Where Science Meets FUN!

January 2 was the first Super Science Saturday at the library.  Participants had a great time learning all about dinosaurs.  Librarian Allison Long said, "We had a wonderful time at the first Super Science Saturday event this morning. Activities Included: Fossil dig, mini dinosaur footprints, dinosaur mask craft, fossil "touch table" ( thanks to the University of Texas at Dallas), and video documentary "Dinosaurs Alive." 

See more photos on our Flickr album: Super Science Saturdays: Dinosaurs!

Don't miss the next Super Science Saturday on February 6, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. to learn all about Rockets! 

Resource Spotlight: NoveList Plus

I am going to let you in on a little secret: librarians do not know everything. I know that may come as a shock to you. Librarians don't know everything, but we should know how to find just about anything. To be able to do that, we need great tools. Now available in the eSources, you now have access one of our best kept secrets: NoveList. NoveList Plus is the "premiere database for reading recommendations" for adults, teens, and children for both fiction and nonfiction.

NoveList Plus features include:

Read-alike recommendations - did you love The Goldfinch? Want to read more books like that? NoveList can find read-alikes for you based on what you liked about (time period, mood, author, subject, and more).

Series information - NoveList contains full Series information for over 25,000 series! It also includes series read-alikes, so when you are done with Game of Thrones you can find another series you love just as much.

Reviews - NoveList contains reviews from professional journals (Booklist, Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal), as well as from readers (via Goodreads) all in one place!

Award winners - Every book award that exists (that we know of) -- Caldecott Medal, Pulitzer, Man Booker, etc -- all in one place! 

Lists - Top ten, best of, favorites, recommended reading, etc. You will never be at a loss for book to read.

Book Club Guides - Hosting a book club?  Many titles include a book club guide with plot, character list, questions (and answers!).

To access NoveList:

1. Go to the Library Catalog.
2. Click on Search, the eSources from the drop down menu.
3. Click on NoveList Plus.
4. Enter your library card number.

Now you are ready to dive deeper into books than ever before! For more information about NoveList Plus, read here or contact us.

Holiday Bedtime Story Time

This year's Holiday Bedtime Story Time was another success! Children came to the library in their pajamas and enjoyed a puppet show and story time reading of the Night Before Christmas followed by singing classic Christmas songs. Afterwards, the kids could make a holiday craft and snack or go have their photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Even Ms. Becky got to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas!

Holiday Happenings at the Library

Get into the spirit this year with our fun programs at the library! 

Holiday Bedtime Story Hour 

Thursday, December 10, 2015

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Wear your pajamas (mom & dad too) to the Haltom City Public Library's Holiday Bedtime Story Hour. Mr. & Mrs. Claus will also be making an appearance. There will be stories, a puppet show and a holiday craft. Don’t forget your camera!

Holiday Read for Children

Saturday, December 12, 2015 

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

North Central Texas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will conduct a special story time for the Haltom City community. There will be variety of holiday stories, a play and a craft  for elementary school-aged children. 

Holiday Movie Night 

Monday, December 14, 2015

6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Join us at the Haltom City Public Library for our Holiday Movie Night on Monday, December 14th at 6:30 p.m. The featured movie is 1992's "The Muppet Christmas Carol", which is a re-telling of the Charles Dickens Christmas classic...Muppet style.

Monthly Movie Night at the HCPL is sponsored by the Friends of the Haltom City Public Library.

Sassy Craft Saturdays 

Saturday, December 19, 2015

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Adults 18 years and older are invited to join us for the popular Craft Saturday series in December.

December's class, "Hedgehog." The supply list required for the December class is:

• Book: paperback book of about 100
• Buttons or pom-poms: 3 black buttons or 3 black pom-poms

 For more information contact instructor Brenda at 682-703-1707 or bkgroschup@charter.net. There is a $5.00 instructor’s fee. Craft Saturday is sponsored by the Friends of the Haltom City Public Library.

Supplies can be purchased at any craft store, such as Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann, Michaels, etc.

All programs are at the Haltom City Public Library. Call 817.222.7786 for more information.

Thanks to the Friends of the Haltom City Library for the Book Tree!

Pumpkin Decorating Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Pumpkin Decorating Contest! Judging took place on October 29th by library staff and patrons. Winners were awarded at Hoooowling Halloween.

Children Ages 4-8: Christopher Gaines

Christopher created an amazing likeness to Squidward from SpongeBob Squarepants.
















Children Ages 9-12: Samuel Coley

Samuel's Batman Minon was anything but Despicable!








Teens Ages 13-17: Seth Cruz

Seth's intricately detailed Death Star was a powerful force in the competition.








Adults 18 and up: Adriana Cruz

Adriana's magical Cinderella pumpkin carriage was the belle of the ball.








Each winner won a $10 gift card to Sonic, and all other participants received coupons for 5 free Frosty's from Wendy's.  Thank you to all participants and judges for helping make the contest a success.