IRS FORMS AT THE LIBRARY

Everyone knows what happens at this time of the year. We're here to help. We have the most frequently requested forms and booklets and we can print out most of the other forms for you. Or you can go to www.irs.gov and print out the forms for yourself. And Snohomish County has an IRS office. It's located in Everett at 3020 Rucker Ave. and the phone number is 425-304-1656. They have all the forms and they provide tax help.
Thanks to AARP, the Marysville library (and some of the other branches in our system) offer free tax help primarily for the elderly and lower income tax payer. Appointments can be made by phone (360-658-5000) or in person at the customer service desk.
April 15th will come faster than you think!

Walk into any elementary school and stroll down the halls and what you will see in every direction is imagination in full bloom. From the sophisticated use of watercolors, the whimsical splash of pastels or the spontaneous sculpting with recycled material to the rather magical technique of blending crayon and paint, artistic endeavors at the hands of children are inspiring and genuinely a sight to behold.
The Marysville Library has for years been a display site for student art. Submissions for the annual Reflections art competition can be viewed at the library in December and January of each year and rotating displays of artistic creativity lend a colorful and vibrant ambiance to the Children's area of the library.

Currently for your viewing pleasure are parrots rendered in a combination of crayon, watercolor and oil pastel. Crafted by Mrs. Schmid'ts third grade students from Allen Creek Elementary, the parrots will delight the senses and may even inspire you to create a work of art with your own children.

A wide variety of books about crafting and artistic technique is available at your nearest Sno-Isle Library, so stop by soon or visit www.sno-isle.org for a comprehensive view of the many resources located throughout the two-county system of libraries.

Small Engine Repair

A few days ago when I was shoveling snow off my neighbor's driveway as well as my own, I thought back to my days growing up in the Southern California mountains. I lived on a campground and worked on the maintenance crew, so each winter I got to fire up the snowblower and clear the countless paths and driveways and doorways for the numerous guests. Every so often the machine would jam (which I would clear with a stick, having learned a valuable lesson from my father's 9-fingered friend) or it would break down, and I often would have no idea how to fix it. I would then haul it back to the shop and have one of the mechanics work on it, which was a little humiliating when the repair required only a slight adjustment. How I wished I had access to a manual. Perhaps because of these humbling experiences along with other outdoor power equipment episodes of ineptitude (with lawn mowers, chainsaws, weedwhackers, etc.), I became a librarian.

Recently Sno-Isle subscribed to an online database which might have altered the course of my life had I had access to it back then. EBSCO's Small Engine Repair Reference Center is a full-text database containing repair manuals for hundreds of small engine machines and their supporting components. Coverage ranges from routine maintenance to extensive repairs involving engine transmission disassembly. You can find information on motorcycles, jet skis, snowmobiles, tractors, ATVs, boats, generators, and all types of yard equipment.

So the next time you're stranded out on the back forty on your stalled John Deere, whip out your Blackberry, logon to the Sno-Isle web site, click on the Small Engine Repair link under Research Tools > Automotive, type in your memorized library card number, locate your tractor model and impress the heck out of Bessie.

Stuff for Teens

You probably already know that the library offers great storytime programs for kids. In fact, one of your favorite library memories may be attending a storytime yourself as a child. But did you know there is also an active teen program here in Marysville? Before I can tell you more about that, let me introduce myself. I’m Laura Tilman, the teen services librarian at the Marysville Library and I’m pretty sure I have the best job in the world!

2008 was a great year for Teens here at the library and 2009 is going to be even better! Here’s a look at some of the stuff coming up.

Teen Mondays
January 12, 26, February 9, 23
3:00-5:30

Many of you may already know about the Teen Monday programs we started last year. Every other Monday afternoon we show a movie or have open gaming with Rock Band, DDR, Guitar Hero, Super Smash Brothers, and Wii Sports. Teen Mondays are going to get even better in 2009 as we add Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero World Tour, MarioKart, and a brand new Karaoke Machine!

Study Lounge
Thursdays
January 15, February 12, 19, 20
3:00-5:00

Got homework? Get it done at the library! Extra laptops and help available at our Study Lounge. Perfect for group projects! If you need a break, pick up one of our board games, or use the time to hang out with your friends.

Altered Objects
Wednesdays
January 28, February 25, March 25
6:30-8:30

For all of you who enjoyed our summer craft programs (summer spa, button making, duct tape crafts, green teens) this new series is for you! Each month we will be taking stuff you can find around the house and turning it into something cool and new! In January, we’ll make jewelry out of things you find in a hardware store. In February turn juice pouches into a new bag and in March make speakers for your iPod or MP3 player. We provide all the supplies, all you need is your creativity! Please sign up for these programs so we have an idea of how much to get.

Teen Book Club
Wednesday
February 11
6:30-7:30

In 2009 we are going to try starting a book club just for teens--this means we will get to read and talk about the books you like! And you can be part of it right from the start! Come to this planning meeting to help choose the books you want to read, pick a name and make all the other important decisions. Then, join us March 11 as we discuss our first selection over pizza.

Make Your Own Chocolate!
Saturday
February 14
1:00-3:00

Back by popular demand…this year’s Make Your Own Chocolate will be better than ever! More colored chocolate, new candy molds and more gift ideas! Come make a last minute Valentine’s gift for someone special or make some chocolate to eat yourself! Either way, it will be a tasty afternoon! We don’t want to run out of chocolate, so make sure you sign up for this one!

If you want to be involved in planning the programs happening here at the library, join our Teen Advisory Group (you can get a free t-shirt). Our next meeting is this Saturday, January 17 @ 2:00 and new members are always welcome! Come check it out!

So there you go! That’s just the start of what’s happening in 2009. Be on the look out for some exciting after-hours programs and a special gaming tournament against Lynnwood (we’re still working out the details...but I’m pretty sure Marysville can win!)

You can find out more information about programs for all ages on our website, www.sno-isle.org and click on "Events and Programs".

Winter Car Care

With the past winter storm and its wintry road conditions, I had a lot of care-car questions come to mind. Do I have chains in the trunk? How do I use them? What should I have in my car in case of emergency? What do I do if my front window ices over while I'm driving?

The Weather Channel offers driving safety tips based on the current weather for your location--simply enter the desired zip code and get the current weather as well as driving tips for those conditions. Discovery's HowStuffWorks website offers Top 10 Car Winterizing Tips to get your car ready for the weather.

Before you head out on wintry roads, consider checking out the Washington Department of Transportation's website where you can find information on traffic, travel conditions on the passes, as well as winter travel tips and information.

Keep warm & safe driving!