Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge is underway!  Kids of any ages can read books and win prizes all summer long.  Stop by the library to sign up now!

Tax Filing Deadline

The IRS has announced the tax filing deadline this season will be on Tuesday, April 17 so you still have plenty of time to file your tax forms. The library stocks all the basic state and federal tax forms plus many supplemental forms also. Reproducible or downloadable forms are available for any specialty form that is needed.

Circuit Breaker Program

The library is hosting Jeanne Brown of the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department today, February 22, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Jeanne will be available to provide information and help individuals who may be eligible for financial assistance through the Circuit Breaker Program. No appointments are necessary.

Women's Club Program

Thanks to the Pageturners Book Club and the Melvin Women's Club for the program held Monday night at Community Hall. Everyone enjoyed a good discussion and interesting information that was shared about the book and the author, Last Man Down by FDNY Firefighter Richard Picciotto.

Tax Forms Available

It's a new year and a new tax season is just around the corner. The library carries all the basic federal and state tax forms including 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ and IL1040, plus the most requested specialized forms and schedules. We also have a binder of reproducible forms and the public access computer can be used to print forms or even file online if you wish.

Prize Winner

Congratulations to Tucker Pabian, winner of the Summer Reading Challenge grand prize for reading the most books throughout the summer months. Tucker won a book titled The Encyclopedia of the Age of Dinosaurs. Way to go Tucker!

Library Services

The library offers a myriad of material formats and services including print books for adults and youth, magazines, movies on videocassette and DVD, audiobooks, large print books and reference material including microfilm of the local newspaper dating back to 1897.

The library has a public access computer and high speed Internet service, a fax machine, a copier, tax forms and student financial aid forms, Book's for Babies program, summer reading program for youth and an adult book discussion group.

We can also borrow nearly any item a patron might request that is not on our shelves through interlibrary loan services.

Summer Reading Challenge

Just a reminder to all young people that the library's Summer Reading Challenge continues into August. The more you read the more prizes you can win! We currently have 25 children participating and lots and lots of books have been read. With less than a month to go before school resumes, now is a good time to sharpen up those reading skills!

Summer Reading Challenge

Hey Kids! The Summer Reading Challenge begins today at Melvin Public Library. Read three or more books at or near your reading level, record the book titles in your reading log and win a prize! You may win one prize per week throughout the summer.

This year children of any age may participate and parents, caregivers and older siblings may read to the littlest children who may then choose a prize. There will be at least one grand prize winner at the end of the summer for the youngster who has read the most books.

Summer Reading Program

The Summer Reading Program begins in June and children can win prizes while also working on their reading skills over the summer months. This year, due to popular request, their is no younger age limit and children of any age may participate.

Watch for more details coming soon!

Tax Forms

Reminder--The library has state and federal tax forms, with both basic and specialized forms available. There is less than a month remaining until the final date to file taxes so stop by and pick up the forms you need now. The public may also efile taxes on the library's public access computer.

Pageturners

The Pageturners book club had a fine old time at their last monthly meeting and a big crowd as well! Fifteen attended and thanks to JoAnn Althouse for sharing her birthday ice cream cake with the group! The club meets next on April 11 and will discuss The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Reminder--Senior Services Day

Don't forget, the library is sponsoring Senior Services Day next Monday, February 28, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Staff members from the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department will be on hand to help complete 2010 Circuit Breaker applications. No appointment necessary.

Pageturners Meet at Women's Club

There was a great turnout and interesting discussion Monday, February 14, at the Melvin Women's Club meeting at Community Hall. Sixteen attended as the library's book club The Pageturners discussed The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Thanks to the Women's Club for hosting the group, making a donation to the library and providing delicious refreshments!

Senior Services Day

Staff from the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department will be on hand from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Monday, February 28 at the library to help complete 2010 Circuit Breaker applications.

The Illinois Circuit Breaker Program provides grants to seniors and the disabled to help reduce the cost of property taxes, license plate fees and prescription drugs. The program is for income eligible seniors 65 and over or any person 16-64 that has a disibility.

Income for individuals must be less than $26, 917, income for couples must be less than $36, 212. Please bring 2010 income statements and rent or property taxes paid in 2010. No appointment is necessary.

Book Club

The Pageturners book club will be holding the program for the Melvin Woman's Club on Monday, February 14 at the Community Hall on Main Street. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. and club members will discuss the book The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

Book Club to Meet

The Pageturners book club will meet next Monday, January 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the library. There is no book selection for the January meeting, instead the group will meet to talk about and select the books they would like to read in 2011.

There will also be a white elephant gift exchange so please bring a wrapped tchtochke, which according to Wikipedia is a gewgaw, knickknack, bauble or trinket; something you have around the house you would willingly part with. Light refreshments will be served.

Books for Babies

Welcome to the library's newest patron Briza Jaramillo! Just 2 months old and sister to Maria, age 3, Briza is the latest recipient of our Books for Babies program. All residents in the library's service area who have welcomed a new baby qualify for this gift so stop by or phone the library for more information.

Pageturners Meet in Gibson City

The library's book club The Pageturners held their November meeting last evening at the Gibson Area Hospital Annex. The meeting was hosted by Esther Ficken, a resident of the Annex and a beloved founding member of the book club.

The group discussed the latest Richard Paul Evans book The Christmas List with most members giving it a vote of 8 or higher. There were a few members who did not love the book but in general it was rated a very pleasurable, if somewhat sad, read.

Special thanks to the Annex staff who were so kind to provide meeting space for the group as well as delightful refreshments, to Pat Donovan for the idea (if Esther can't come to the library for book club we'll take the book club to Esther!), to Cheryl Kurtenbach for tirelessly leading the group, to Esther for hosting, and to all the Pageturners for making it such a special evening!

Pageturner Road Trip

The Pageturners will meet Monday, November 8 at the Gibson City Hospital Annex to enjoy the company of one of the group's founding members, Esther Ficken. Please join us in the little conference room by 6:30 for the discussion, although the room will be available anytime after 6:00 if you wish to come early and visit. The book for discussion is The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans and there will be light refreshments served.