February Newsletter
F is for February and finances. Plus, our second annual First Line Literary Contest is here!
February 1, 2023
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From the Library Director
Hello,
F is for February and finances! For those of you starting to think about your taxes – we’re here for you. AARP Tax Aide begins on February 14. We’re grateful for the partnership with AARP, now in its eleventh year here at Berlin-Peck, which provides free tax assistance for people aged 50 and over with low to moderate income. Did you know that AARP tax preparers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure they understand updates and changes to the tax code? Appointments are required and can be made by calling the library 860-828-7126.
This time of year, we’re also thinking about the Connecticut State Budget. CT has a biennial budget meaning that a budget is adopted every two years. During the odd years (2023) a budget is adopted, and during the even years (2024) it is reviewed and then the process starts over again. While we are supported by the Town of Berlin, we also receive benefits from the State of Connecticut – money for items we loan out to other libraries and through our membership in the Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC) which is funded in part by the CT State Library. CLC’s superpower is that it provides discounts for libraries on a variety of items by negotiating contracts with vendors on their behalf. By purchasing off these contracts in 2021-2022, the Berlin Peck Memorial Library saved approximately $52,000! This year, CLC celebrates 20 years of supporting CT libraries. These savings allow us to bring you Hoopla, Niche Academy, and more books because we get a discount on print materials!
Is there a product or service you’d like to see at your local library? Let us know! If you have a suggestion for how we can better serve you, please drop me an email at kmcnally@berlinpeck.org. We might even be able to get a discount on it! I’ll see you soon at the library!
Warmly,
Kim McNally
Library Director
AARP Tax Aide
Tuesdays, February 14–April 18
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
AARP Tax-Aide provides free tax prep for low and middle-income taxpayers. Appointments will be available on Tuesdays at the Library (860-828-7126) and Thursdays at the Senior Center (860-828-7006).
Here’s how it works:
- Call to schedule your appointment.
- Pick up your paperwork packet.
- Fill out your packet ahead of time.
- Attend your appointment.
Appointments usually fill up fast, so please schedule as soon as possible.
Closed for Presidents Day
Monday, February 19
The library will be closed on Monday in honor of Presidents Day.
First Line Literary Contest
During the Month of February
Ursula K. Le Guin once said: “First sentences are doors to worlds.” Here’s your chance to write your own! Berlin-Peck invites you to compose your best opening line to an imaginary novel. You can write on any topic or genre, as long as your sentence is original and makes us want to read more!
The winner will receive bragging rights, a reading-themed pin from our All-Year Reading Contest. EVERY participant will receive a custom bookmark with their best sentence. Multiple entries are allowed, but each participant will receive one bookmark.
Events
Check out the Events Page to see upcoming events!
Sunday, January 1 – Tuesday, February 28
Start your own fig tree from a cutting.
Sunday, January 1 – Sunday, December 31
Read books from the POPSUGAR reading challenge list and win prizes throughout the year.
Wednesday, February 1 – Tuesday, February 28
Berlin-Peck invites you to compose your best original opening line to an imaginary novel!
Saturday, February 4 – Tuesday, February 7
Visit us at the library!
Monday, February 6, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Learn more about the magic we tap into every time we close our eyes!
Tuesday, February 7, 10:30 am to 11:00 am
Join us for a lapsit storytime that focuses on developing pre-literacy skills with nursery rhymes, songs, bounces, and books!
Tuesday, February 7, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Who wouldn’t want a magic train ride for their birthday?
Friday, February 10, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Join us for an afternoon movie!
Saturday, February 11 – Tuesday, February 14
Create something special for your Valentine!
Monday, February 13, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
From floating rocks to volcanoes, dinosaurs, and ice!
Tuesday, February 14, 10:30 am to 11:00 am
Join us for a lapsit storytime that focuses on developing pre-literacy skills with nursery rhymes, songs, bounces, and books!
Thursday, February 16, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Create an easy, beautiful wreath!
Friday, February 17, 10:30 am to 11:00 am
Bubbles and story fun!
Saturday, February 18, 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Join us for a discussion of The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb.
Monday, February 20, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Join us to share practical information, feelings, needs and concerns. This group meets monthly as a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia.
Tuesday, February 21, 10:30 am to 11:00 am
Join us for a lapsit storytime that focuses on developing pre-literacy skills with nursery rhymes, songs, bounces, and books!
Tuesday, February 21, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Create a keychain unique to you!
Wednesday, February 22, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Calling all makers, builders, planners, and dreamers!
Thursday, February 23, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Learn about warning signs and coping mechanisms for winter blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Friday, February 24, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Join us for an afternoon movie!
Saturday, February 25, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Explore artifacts and photos representing the Black experience in Connecticut’s History.
Monday, February 27, 10:30 am to 11:30 am
An open house for Berlin senior citizens.
Monday, February 27, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
This month’s cookbook is Baking with Dorie by Dorie Greenspan.
Tuesday, February 28, 10:30 am to 11:00 am
Canceled due to inclement weather. Our policy: No program will be held (during school hours) when the Berlin Public Schools are closed due to the weather. Join us for a lapsit storytime that focuses on developing pre-literacy skills with nursery rhymes, songs, bounces, and books!