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2013 Tax Help at San Jose Public Libraries
Tax help from VITA and AARP is available again this year at several of our libraries. See our events calendar for a complete list of opportunities.
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
VITA offers free tax help to hard working individuals and families whose income is less than $51,000. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese at most locations. All locations provide e-File. Volunteers are trained to prepare basic 2012 Forms 1040EZ, 1040A, 1040 with Schedule A, B, limited Schedule CEZ, C and California Income Tax Returns ONLY! You also CANNOT be filing as "Married, Filing Separate returns".
What to Bring:
- Photo ID and Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for each family member.
- W-2 forms and all 1099, 1098 or all other tax forms you received.
- A copy of last year's tax return, if available.
- A check with your account number for direct deposit.
VITA Library Sites:
- Alum Rock Branch - Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:30 PM, Feb. 6 - Apr. 10
- East San Jose Carnegie Branch - Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Feb. 16 - Apr. 13
- Hillview Branch - Saturdays, 2:00 - 5:00 PM, Feb. 2 - Apr. 13
- King Library - Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Feb. 2 - Apr. 6
- Tully Branch - Wednesdays, 5:00 - 7:30 PM, Feb. 6 - Apr. 10
- West Valley Branch - Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Feb. 2 - Apr. 13
VITA volunteers are also available at many other Santa Clara County locations. For questions, call 1-800-829-1040 or 1-800-906-9887.
AARP Foundation Tax Aide
Residents 60 years and older with low and moderate income can register for free assistance on their personal tax preparation. e-File is available.
AARP Library Sites
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Willow Glen Branch - Wednesdays, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Feb. 6 - Mar. 27
Call the library at 1-408-808-3045 to register for an appointment.
What to bring to your appointment
The AARP Tax Aide program is available at other locations thoughout the country. For questions, call 1-888-227-7669.
VITA Tax Help at West Valley Branch Library
Want free tax help?
VITA volunteers are trained to do basic low-income returns with W-2 income, interest, dividend, unemployment income, Social Security Benefits, Schedule A and Schedule C-EZ. No appointments are necessary. You will be served on a first come, first served basis.
If you are interested in having your taxes done, please come to West Valley Branch Library.
Time: Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Feb. 2- April 13, 2013.
Operation Prom Dress 2013
The Office of Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen presents
Operation Prom Dress 2013
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Don't let the tough economy discourage students from attending Prom.
Donate a new or gently used dress today!
Donations are currently being accepted through March 3, 2013.
Stop by one of the following branch libraries to make your donation:
- Almaden Branch
- Berryessa Branch
- Cambrian Branch
- Rose Garden Branch
- Santa Teresa Branch
- Tully Branch
- Vineland Branch
- West Valley Branch
- Willow Glen Branch
For a full list of participating locations click here.
Lunar New Year and Korean "Seollal(설날)"
A lunar calendar is a calendar that is based on cycles of
the lunar phase. Because there are about 
twelve lunations (synodic months) in a solar year, this period (354.37 days) is sometimes referred to as a lunar year as quoted on wikipedia.
China (including Hong Kong), Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia celebrate the lunar new year.
Koreans call "Seollal(설날)" for the lunar new year day.
Here is the informative video for "Seollal."
Koreans count their age from conception and base it on the lunar year. Korean babies are officially one year old when they get born, and Koreans will not use the 1st of January as the day when they get older, but the first day of the lunar new year (which is usually in early February).
Bayarea Lunar New Year Event
San Jose Public Library Collections
Lunar New Year Crafts in San Jose Public Library
Additional Information
Congratulations BOTB 2013 Winners
Congratulations BOTB 2013 Winners!
1st Place
Lizard Kingdom Progressive Rock
“Lizard Kingdom is heavily influenced by bands such as the Fall of Troy, Ricky Martin, Sha Na Na, Nickelback, Milli Vanilli, and Brian Wilson. In our spare time, we enjoy making balloon animals. Collectively our favorite food is pickles. Our pre-show ritual is we gather around, and run with scissors to display bravery.”
2nd Place
Cactus Experimental/Fusion
"Cactus is a group that plays for the sheer love of all different kinds of music, whether it be jazz, blues, alternative, classic rock, or Motown. Each practice is always different consisting of spontaneous new ideas every time. We enjoy the simple things in life, humor, and acting weird and crazy!"
3rd Place
Half N Half Indie Rock
“We have been together since Fall 2011, and started out playing covers. But with HALF of us wanting to play this, n Half of us wanting to play that, we finally decided to collaborate to write our own music! “
Supporters:
The library gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of its community sponsors:
- Live 105.3 FM
- PinUp Productions
- San Jose Pro Drum
- Steetlight Records
- San Jose Rock Shop
- Music Village
- Music Go Round
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Free Musical "Christmas Spectacular"
Christmas Spectacular is a FREE Holiday Musical Production produced by Bethel Church of San Jose and is an event the entire family can enjoy! For 30 years, Bethel Church has been continuing living its dream of celebrating Christmas withthe neighbors and community.
This exciting musical production celebrates the fun, the joy, and the blessings of the Christmas season through exceptional live music, drama, dance, and multimedia. Each year Bethel’s talented choir, orchestra, children’s choir & ensemble of actors and dancers create a fantastic, high caliber performance that’s become a must-see tradition for hundreds in our community. Featuring a wide variety of music – from anthems and carols to seasonal pop and rock, old holiday classics, and new seasonal sounds. Christmas Spectacular offers something for everyone as quoted on christmasspectacular.org
Performance Schedule:
December 7, 8, 9 & 14, 15, 16
Friday performances - 8:00pm
Saturday & Sunday performances - 4:00pm & 7:30pm
Location:
Bethel Church of San Jose
1201 S. Winchester Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95128
Doors open one hour before each performance for General Seating and Spanish translation is provided. (Spanish transmitters will be available in the Lobby)
San Jose Public Library Collections:
Additional information:
December is "Safe Toys and Gifts" Month
December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month, a project led by Prevent Blindness America. The group hopes to educate parents and other gift shoppers through awareness efforts all throughout the month. The rate at which children are being checked into ERs due to choking, eye injuries, or even poisoning is astonishing. Hundreds of thousands of children have undergone unnecessary injuries due to poorly made items and misuse of toys as quoted on meditab.com.
In this holiday season, purchasing age-appropriate Toys helps ensure children’s safety.
San Jose Public Library Resources on Safe Toys and Gifts
San Jose Public Library Programs on Safe Toys and Gifts
Additional Resources:
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Parents Helping Parents of Children with Special Needs, Santa Clara, CA
- Provides a wealth of services to families of children with special needs including education, community and family services, and health-related services
- Safe Kids Worldwide
Join us at Downtown Ice this Saturday, December 8!
Present your San Jose Public Library card this Saturday, December 8 between noon-5:30 p.m. at Downtown Ice and receive $10 skate admission (Limit one person per card).
Join KQED as they bring Curious George to the ice rink for a meet and greet! Have fun skating with Curious George, check out the Curious George movie on an LCD screen and stop by the library's table for a fun activity from 1-3 p.m.
Downtown Ice is the South Bay’s largest seasonal outdoor skating rink, produced by the San Jose Downtown Association, located in the Circle of Palms between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont Hotel. For more info about Downtown Ice visit http://sjdowntown.com/downtownice/
Harp Music for the Season
SJPL is excited to host free performances by harp player and teacher Elizabeth Erickson. All ages are invited to share in the holiday spirit of Elizabeth's music. She will also talk to audiences about the harp.
Elizabeth's performances will be:
- Wednesday, November 28, West Valley Branch Library, 5:00 pm
- Saturday, December 8, Santa Teresa Branch Library, 11:00 am
- Wednesday, December 12, Tully Community Branch Library, 5:30 pm
- Saturday, December 15, Willow Glen Branch Library, 11:00 am
- Saturday, December 15, Pearl Ave Branch Library, 2:00 pm
No registration required.
West Valley Book Club's Dec. Pick: Farewell to Manzanar
The West Valley Book Club will meet on Wednesday evening, December 10 at 6:30pm in the Community Room to discuss Farewell to Manzanar. This famous memoir published in 1973 by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston chronicles Jeanne Wakatsuki's experiences before, during, and after her family's imprisonment at the Manzanar concentration camp in central California during World War II.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, signed by President Roosevelt, which called for the internment of thousands of Japanese-Americans. While this is a dark chapter in recent American history, it is important to honor the experiences of those that endured it and to learn from historical mistakes through empathy and understanding. Join the book club for engaging literary conversation and to find out our first pick for 2013.
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