Albany Public Library

We can assist you in several ways this tax season.

+ You can get your income taxes prepared for free on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Main Library.

+ You can pick up basic federal and New York State income tax forms at the Main Library as well as the Arbor Hill/West Hill, Bach, Delaware, Howe, and Pine Hills branches.

+ You can access other tax resources through our website.

+ And our librarians can be helpful in connecting you to information that will help answer your tax questions.

The income tax preparation services are provided by APL’s partners—volunteers from the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the AARP Tax-Aide program. This service is available for people with an annual household income limit of $50,000.

Walk-In Tax Assistance at the Main Library
Saturdays from Feb. 4 through April 14 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Assistance is on a walk-in basis only. No appointments or reservations will be taken.

Appointment-Based Tax Assistance at the Main Library
Wednesdays from Feb. 8 through April 11 — By appointment only
Call the Reference Desk at 427-4303 to schedule an appointment.

For more information about the free tax services available at the Main Library, call the Reference Department at 427-4303.

Head on over to your favorite Albany Public Library location the week of Jan. 23 for some fun and free activities for the whole family!

A full activities guide is available online. Read on for a sample of this week’s FREE programs and events.

MONDAY, JAN. 23
+ Watch “Abduction” starting at 5 pm at the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch. The 2011 action-adventure movie stars Taylor Lautner and Lilly Collins.

+ Stretch and tone with a Pilates exercise class at the Pine Hills Branch from 6:30-7:30 pm. Beginners welcome. Please register at 482-7911.

TUESDAY, JAN. 24
+ Enjoy a book review of “The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery” at 12:15 pm in the large auditorium at the Main Library. Dennis Gaffney, Albany author and president of the APL Board of Trustees, reviews the book for this Friends of APL event.

+ Experience Russian folk art starting at 4 pm in the children’s room at the Main Library. Enjoy Russian nesting dolls, traditional costumes, and hands-on activities. Sponsored by the New Russia Cultural Center and Albany-Tula Alliance. For ages 5+.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25
+ Bring the little ones to preschool story time at 10:30 am at the Delaware Branch for stories, songs, and movement. Ages 3-5.

+ Dance your way to better health with a Zumba class at the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch from 6-7 pm. Drop in to participate in this exercise class.

THURSDAY, JAN. 26
+ Get a free blood pressure check and wellness advice from a registered nurse from 3-4 pm at the Bach Branch. Sponsored by NNORC.

+ Enjoy family story and crafternoon at the Howe Branch at 4 pm. This week, we focus on a Black History Month story and make a cameo frame. Ages 5+.

FRIDAY, JAN. 27
+ Get one-on-one help with a job search, resume, interview techniques, and computer skills in the computer lab at the Main Library from 10 am-12 pm and 1-5 pm from the Working Knowledge Public Computing Center trainers.

+ Participate in an after-school arts and crafts project from 3-5 pm at the North Albany Branch. For ages 5-12.

SATURDAY, JAN. 28
+ Join fellow Harry Potter fans for the first meeting of the APL Harry Potter Club from 2-4 pm at the Bach Branch. Potter games, movies, and snacks for kids ages 10-16. Please register at 482-2154.

The online calendar contains details of the programs mentioned here and a full listing of APL events.

A Chinese New Year celebration on Saturday is the highlight of our programming this week. We’ve got lots of other great events on tap for you this week at APL. All programs are free and open to the public. A full program listing is available on our calendar of events.

MONDAY, JAN. 16

+  Kids play board games — Main Library, children’s room, from 1-3 pm

+  Kids make beaded snowflakes — Arbor Hill/West Hill Library at 3 pm

TUESDAY, JAN. 17

+  Listen to a review of “Why Read Moby-Dick?” — Main Library, large auditorium, 12:15 pm — University at Albany Prof. Jennifer Greiman reviews the book by Nathaniel Philbrick at this Friends of APL program.

+  Teens learn to knit with their friends — North Albany Branch from 3-5 pm

+  Discuss “The Sibling Effect” by Jeffrey Kluger — Main Library, conference room 1, at 7 pm

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18

+  Learn good job interviewing skills — Main Library, computer lab, from 10 am-12 pm — Register for the class at 427-4325.

+  Get a confidential, free AIDS test — Main Library, small auditorium, from 12-2 pm — Drop in program. Get results in about 20 minutes. Testing done by oral swab (no blood drawn). Testing services provided by Whitney M. Young Health Services SAFE-T Project.

+  Teens enjoy Wii games — Howe Branch at 5 pm

THURSDAY, JAN. 19

+  Kids make Chinese dragon craft — Delaware Branch at 4 pm

+  Teens watch anime and discuss manga — Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch at 4:30 pm

FRIDAY, JAN. 20

+  Get personalized help with job searches and computer skills — Main Library, computer lab, from 10 am-5 pm — Working Knowledge Public Computing Center trainers are available to give drop-in help.

+  Enjoy a free prevue performance by the Albany Symphony Orchestra — Main Library, large auditorium, at 12 pm — Sponsored by ASO-Vanguard, the performance features works by Copland, Barber, and Bernstein.

+  Teens enjoy crafts, snacks, and games — Bach Branch at 4 pm

SATURDAY, JAN. 21

+  Celebrate Chinese New Year — Pine Hills Branch from 1-3 pm — Bring the whole family for Chinese food, crafts, entertainment, and traditional ribbon dancing.

SUNDAY, JAN. 22

+  Watch “Moneyball” — Main Library, large auditorium, at 2 pm — This Brad Pitt movie tells the true-life story of how the Oakland A’s manager used computer-generated analysis to draft baseball players. (PG-13)

Do you need help writing a resume? Want assistance filling out an online job application? Looking to practice your interviewing skills? Need to brush up on the computer skills necessary for many jobs? Albany Public Library’s Working Knowledge Public Computing Center is for you!

The Working Knowledge Public Computing Center (PCC) based at the Main Library has trainers available to provide free one-on-one assistance and teach free classes. The focus of the program is to help people with job searches and to improve their basic computer skills. For more information, please call the PCC at 427-4325.

The PCC offers free classes on such topics as: internet and email basics; introduction to computers, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Google Docs; job searches and mock interviews; and more. The classes typically take place at the Main Library.

The PCC trainers also host drop-in lab sessions where they are available for personalized assistance. These open labs take place at the Main Library and at several other APL locations.

The Working Knowledge PCC website also has links to job search and employment readiness information.

We’ve got a bunch of fun and educational activities for you this week at APL. Check out our online calendar of events for a full listing. Here are just a few of the programs on tap for the week of Jan. 9.

MONDAY, JAN. 9
+ Get an introduction to the Google Docs word processing program from 10 to 11 am at the Main Library in the computer lab on the second floor. Register with the Working Knowledge Public Computing Center at 427-4325.

+ Learn how to download free e-books to your e-reader or other mobile device in our Digital Download Bookcamp at 6 pm at the Bach Branch.

TUESDAY, JAN. 10
+ Albany Symphony Orchestra Musical Director David Alan Miller discusses “Leonard Bernstein & Aaron Copland: The Story of a Friendship” at 12:15 pm in the large auditorium of the Main Library. This is a Friends of APL program that is co-sponsored the ASO Vanguard.

+ The Teen Knitting Club meets after school from 3 to 5 pm at the North Albany Branch.

+ The APL Board of Trustees holds its monthly meeting starting at 5:30 pm at the Delaware Branch.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11
+ Bring the little ones for stories, songs, and movement at the preschool story time at 10:30 am at the Delaware Branch. For ages 3-5 and their caregivers.

+ Kids make Chinese dragons during culture craft time at 4 pm at the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch. Ages 5+.

THURSDAY, JAN. 12
+ Join us for toddler story time and family craft starting at 10:30 am at the Pine Hills Branch.

+ Bring the kids to a family march around the neighborhood in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. starting at 4 pm at the Howe Branch. We’ll also read stories about King and enjoy a craft. For ages 5+.

FRIDAY, JAN. 13
+ Drop in to the computer lab for one-on-one assistance with job searches, resumes, and computer skills from 10 am til 5 pm at the Main Library. This is part of our Working Knowledge Public Computing Center.

+ Wii gaming fun for teens starting at 4 pm at the Main Library. For ages 12-18.

SATURDAY, JAN. 14
+ Join fellow knitters/crocheters in the Knit2gether group from 2 to 4 pm at the Bach Branch. Bring your own project to work on, or get instructions on how to start a project.

+ Bring the family to a showing of “Kung Fu Panda 2″ starting at 2 pm at the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch.

Start the new year right at APL! We’ve got a number of FREE health and wellness programs for you in January.

Weekly Exercise Classes
+ Pilates at the Pine Hills Branch on Monday nights from 6:30 til 7:30 pm. Beginners are welcome. Register at 482-7911.
+ Zumba at the Howe Branch on Monday nights from 6 til 7 pm. Register at 472-9485.
+ Zumba at the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch on Wednesday nights from 6 til 7 pm. Register at 694-0596.

Weekly Nurse Clinic
+ Drop in for blood pressure checks and wellness advice from a registered nurse on Thursdays from 3 til 4 pm at the Bach Branch. Sponsored by the NNORC. Call 482-2154 for more information.

Medical Testing
+ Get a free, confidential AIDS test at the Main Library on Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 12 to 2 pm. The testing is done by oral swab so no blood is drawn. Results are available in about 20 minutes. Drop in to the small auditorium for testing (no appointments needed). Testing provided by the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Services SAFE-T Project. For more information, call Whitney M. Young at 465-4771.

Visit your favorite library this week for some great FREE programs and activities. Our full calendar of events is online. You can also pick up a monthly program guide at any APL location.

Here are just a few of the activities we have planned for the week of Jan. 3:

MONDAY, JAN. 2

Closed for the New Year’s holiday

TUESDAY, JAN. 3

+  One-on-one assistance with job searches and computer skills — 9 am til 3 pm in the computer lab at the Main Library

+  Friends of APL book review features “Cain,” a novel by Jose Saramago reviewed by Marggie Skinner — 12:15 pm in the large auditorium at the Main Library

+  After school story time with Lyle the Crocodile — 3:45 pm at the Pine Hills Branch — For kids in kindergarten through third grade

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4

+  Preschool story time — 10:30 am at the Delaware Branch — For ages 3-5

THURSDAY, JAN. 5

+  Microsoft PowerPoint introductory class — 1 to 3 pm in the computer lab at the Main Library — Register at 427-4325

+  Family story and crafternoon for kids – Read about Martin Luther King Jr. and make a banner for MLK Day — 4 pm at the Howe Branch — For ages 5 and over

+  Preschool story time — 10:30 am at North Albany Branch — For ages 3-5

FRIDAY, JAN. 6

+  Wii gaming fun for teens — 4 pm at the Main Library — For ages 12-18

+  Just for Teens crafts and games — 4 pm at the Bach Branch — For ages 12-18

SATURDAY, JAN. 7

+ Join Knit2gether crocheting and knitting group to work on your own project or learn these fiber arts — 2 to 4 pm at the Bach Branch

+  Albany Get Lite (Cipher) freestyle dance event for teens — 2 to 4 pm at Main Library — For ages 13-18

SUNDAY, JAN. 8

+ Sunday Cinema showing of “Colombiana” starring Zoe Saldana — 2 pm in the large auditorium at the Main Library

The hours at the Main Library are changing. In a plan approved by the Board of Trustees and announced here in early December, the Main Library’s schedule will be reduced by six hours a week starting in January. The hours at the six branches remain the same.

Effective the week of Jan. 3, the Main Library will be open:

Monday — 9 am to 9 pm

Tuesday — 9 am to 9 pm
Wednesday — 9 am to 9 pm

Thursday — 10 am to 6 pm

Friday — 10 am to 6 pm

Saturday — 10 am to 5 pm

Sunday — 1 pm to 5 pm

The new schedule for the Main Library reduces weekly service hours by a total of six: four hours on Thursday, one hour on Friday, and one hour on Saturday. Service hours on Sunday through Wednesday remain unchanged.

The Friends of APL hold book talks every Tuesday at 12:15 pm at the Main Library (in the large auditorium). The group has five great programs scheduled for January.

January 3: “Cain” by Jose Saramago is reviewed by Marggie Skinner of the Book House.

January 10: Albany Symphony Orchestra Musical Director David Alan Miller presents a program on “Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland: The Story of a Friendship.”

January 17: “Why Read Moby-Dick?” by historian Nathaniel Philbrick is reviewed by University at Albany Prof. Jennifer Greiman.

January 24: “The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery” by Eric Foner is reviewed by author and APL Board of Trustees President Dennis Gaffney.

January 31: Daily Gazette Columnist Carl Strock reviews three books: “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins, “The End of Faith” by Sam Harris, and “God is Not Great” by Christopher Hitchens.

All Friends of APL book talks are free and open to the public. Join the Friends each week for these lively discussions.

Looking for something fun — and free — to do with the kids during vacation? Visit APL for these great activities:

TUESDAY, DEC. 27
+ Art-on-a-Cart Crafts: 10 am til 6 pm at the Pine Hills Branch

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28
+ Lego Mindstorm NXT Robotic Workshop: 2-4 pm at the Main Library. Build some awesome Lego robots and participate in cool challenges. For ages 8+. Register at 427-4310.

+ Wii Wednesday for Elementary School Kids: 3-4:30 pm at the Pine Hills Branch

+ Family Movie Showing of “The Smurfs”: 4 pm at the Delaware Branch

THURSDAY, DEC. 29
+ Family Movie Showing of “Kung Fu Panda 2″: 2 pm at the Pine Hills Branch

+ Perler Bead Creations Craft: 4 pm at the Delaware Branch

FRIDAY, DEC. 30
+ Art-on-a-Cart Crafts and Board Games: 12-6 pm at the Pine Hills Branch

+ Happy New Year Crown Craft: 3-5 pm at the North Albany Branch

+ Family Movie Showing of “Kung Fu Panda 2″: 4 pm at the Delaware Branch