January, 2008

“I Have a Dream” Contest and Reception:

On January 21, 2008, the country celebrates Martin Luther King Day to remember one of the most prominent leaders of the American civil rights movement:

“I Have a Dream” Contest

There is still time to participate in the “I Have A Dream” contest! Both kids and adults may submit a modern-day “I Have a Dream” speech, essay, poem, or artistic rendering to the Forest Park Public Library. We need your submissions not later than January 14th. Help us commemorate Dr. King and his work. And don’t forget the reception here at the library at 6:30 PM on January 21st, at which Dr. King’s memory will be honored by recognizing the best submissions. Pick up a flyer at the library, or check our home page for full details.

Tax Time

Tax forms have started to arrive at the library, and we are putting them out as they do. We get a very basic set of federal and Illinois forms and instructions. Once they are gone, they are gone! However, don’t forget that you can also download and print your own forms and instructions by logging in to the Internal Revenue Service website or to the Illinois Department of Revenue website. Both sites usually have forms and instructions for previous years as well.

One final note here. The “Circuit Breaker Form” is not a tax form, and we may or may not get printed copies here at the library. However, if you log into the Illinois Department on Aging website, you can find an explanation of how that program works; download and print the necessary form and instructions; or submit your application online. The Department on Aging also works with agencies around the state to provide assistance to eligible persons, including help with the “Circuit Breaker Form.” The agency in our area is:

AgeOptions, Inc.
1048 West Lake Street, Suite 300
Oak Park, IL 60301
http://www.ageoptions.org
708-383-0258
1-800-699-9043 (Suburban Cook County only)
708-524-1653 (TTY)
Fax: 708-524-0870
E-mail: information@ageoptions.org

Adult Services Programs for January

• Thursday, January 17th at 7 PM: “Financing Your Child’s College Education”: For parents of school aged children concerned about financing their education.
• Saturday, January 26th, at 2 PM: “Chicago’s Passenger Railroads:” Get an historic and nostalgic look at some of the great trains that called Chicago home before Amtrak.

Youth Services Programs for January

• Weekly Drop in Story times (Beginning January 14th)
• Toddler Story times (1-2 years) Mondays & Fridays @ 10:30am
• Preschool Story times (3-5 years) Thursdays @ 10:30 am and 1:30pm (afternoon time added by popular demand!)
• Twilight Tales Story time @ 7:00 pm in the Story time Room
  Put on your PJ’s and join us for a very special story time filled with bedtime stories and sleepy songs. Warm cookies will be provided!
  Monday, January 14th
• Book Adventurers (stories and crafts for kids in K-5th grade)
  All Book Adventurers begin at 4:00 pm in the Activity Room. Registration required, sign up at the Youth Services Desk
  Tuesday, January 8th
  Tuesday, January 22nd
• Caudill Club (a book group for kids in 4th-6th grade)
  Book discussions begin at 4:00 pm in the Activity room. Register and pick up a copy of the book at the Youth Services Desk.
  Wednesday, January 9th
• 5/8 Club (books and crafts for kids 5th -8th grade)
  The 5/8 Club meets at 4:00 pm in the Activity Room.
  Monday, January 14th