Feb. 11 – Feb. 17 EVENTS
AT THE ELSIE QUIRK LIBRARY

Free assistance is being provided at various locations throughout Sarasota County to help individuals with the filing of their federal income tax returns. Tax aid sites are being offered at area libraries in partnership with AARP and at other community sites in partnership with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) with the United Way Suncoast. Residents who earned $64,000 or less last year can use the VITA tax aid sites in Sarasota County. There are no income limits or age limits at the AARP sites. The United Way Suncoast is also offering free online tax preparation for people who want to file their own taxes. The website is www.myfreetaxes.com.

This service is not available for business returns or complex tax issues. The United Way is operating five sites in Sarasota County and AARP has twelve sites. The goal of the free tax aid programs is to help lower income tax payers get the refunds and tax credits they are entitled to quickly and accurately, and without having to pay fees to paid tax preparers. Both the AARP and VITA free tax sites allow residents to electronically file their tax returns so they can receive refunds sooner. Generally, a refund can be posted to a person’s bank account within seven to ten days after the visit to one of the AARP or VITA sites. Trained IRS-certified volunteers will be at each location to provide free personal income tax assistance.

Please visit the Elsie Quirk Library during regular business hours to make an appointment and receive the necessary form. Please call 211 or (941) 861-5000 for information regarding other tax aid sites a throughout Sarasota, Venice, and North Port. The Sarasota County Commission issued a proclamation declaring January 27 to be Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day. Since these tax credits also are generally spent locally, this helps to improve the county’s economy. In addition, this valuable service helps older residents and middle-income and lower-income residents who either need assistance in filing their taxes or who need to consult on a tax issue.

Here are the Elsie Quirk Library events for this week:

Saturday

Join us today at the Cracker Fair at Pioneer Plaza on Dearborn Street from 10 am to 4 pm. Festivities for the whole family include kids’ games, crafts, food, artists, music, and more.
The Suncoast Writers Guild will meet at 10 am to discuss and encourage longer works by members and attendees.
AARP Tax Assistance Program is from 12:30 to 4:30 pm and offered by appointment. Please visit the library in-person to schedule your appointment.

Monday

Great Decisions starts at 10 am. This is America’s largest discussion series on world affairs. Attendees are asked to read each session’s selected Great Decisions topic before attending. This week’s topic is Trade and Politics. The book can be purchased at the Friends bookstore for $23 each.
Forty Carrots’ Partners in Play is a free class for caregivers and children ages birth to 5 to enjoy together and is held from 10:15 to 11 am or 11:15 am to noon. Experience educational activities, join in circle-time fun, meet other families, and receive valuable parenting and child development information. Attendance is limited to 12 families per session.
AARP Tax Assistance Program is from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm and offered by appointment. Please visit the library in-person to schedule your appointment.
Lemon Bay Garden Club will meet at 12:30 pm for an informative session on how to navigate the very popular social media platform Facebook.
O-WOW! (Our Writers Own Workshop) will meet at 3:30 pm.
Read with the Dogs is from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Drop-in and practice your reading skills with a canine companion. All dogs are certified pet therapy dogs from the Suncoast Humane Society. Children ages 5 and up are welcome to attend. Younger children may participate when accompanied by a caregiver. No registration necessary.
Our Monday Night Movie starts at 5 pm. When a group of trespassing seniors swim in a pool containing alien cocoons, they find themselves energized with youthful vigor. (Sci-Fi, PG-13, 1 hr. 57 mins.)
English for Spanish Speakers/Gratis Clase de Ingles para Hispanohablantes starts at 5:30 pm. This class is for Spanish speakers who want to improve their English skills. Students should be able to speak some basic English.

Tuesday

Drop in for the Master Gardener Plant Clinic in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County from 10 am to noon. For more information, call 941-861-1307 or visit, http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/horthelp.shtml.
The Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty that Changed the World will start at 10 am. This ongoing series will review the history of this era, the consequences of the treaty and its impact on America in the 21^st No registration necessary.
Join the Englewood Computer Club at 12 pm, as they work together to better understand computers. For more information, email OurEDD@comcast.net.
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead-Technology is from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Registration is open to ages 5 through 11 and limited to 12 participants.

Wednesday

AARP Tax Assistance Program is from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm and offered by appointment. Please visit the library in-person to schedule your appointment.
The Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.) meets each month on the third Wednesday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Join the group in providing input and help with upcoming library programs. New members, ages 11 to 18, are always welcome. For more information, contact Young Adult Librarian Deirdre Morrow at dmorrow@scgov.net or 861-1207.
Teen Game Night is 6:30 to 7:30 pm for ages 9 through 18. We provide the gaming systems and games (Wii & Xbox 360).

Thursday

EGSF Beginning Genealogy Special Interest Group meets at 10 am.
The Reading Discussion Group meets at 10:15 am, every third Thursday of the month. This month’s selection is, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot.
Family Storytime starts at 10:30 am and is open to children ages birth to 5 and their families. Enjoy interacting with your child by participating in early literacy activities that include books, music and movement, crafts and other educational activities. No registration necessary. This week’s theme is, Valentine’s Day.
The Knitting Club will meet to knit and chat from 1 to 3 pm.

Friday

The Elsie Quirk Public Library will be closed for staff training. Please visit Jacaranda Library at 4143 Woodmere Park Boulevard in Venice. Their hours of operation today are 10 am to 5 pm.

For more information on library programs, services, and resources visit us at 100 West Dearborn Street, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000, or visit our website at www.scgov.net/library.