Kent County Public Library Newsfeed

Want to see for yourself how the library's renovation project is going? We have photos - quite a few of them actually. We've decided to post them on Flickr for all to view. Click to view our photostream. Not familiar with Flickr or photostreams? No worries. Flickr is a very popular online photo sharing tool, and a photostream displays the photos that have been shared. Just think, you too could have your own photostream on Flickr for free. Meanwhile, stay tuned for more library photos both related and unrelated to the renovation.

Posted by Karen at 01:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

National Library Week is an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians, sponsored by the American Library Association and local libraries across the country. The theme of this year's National Library Week (April 12-18, 2009) is "Worlds Connect @ Your Library."

The Kent County Public Library would like you to celebrate with us, and we've got quite a few fun events planned for people of all ages.

We'll kick off the week on Monday with Jazz and Java in the Chestertown stacks from 4-6 PM, featuring the Washington College Jazz Combo led by Ken Schweitzer, and accompanied by free coffee and sweets.

Then on Tuesday, we have the Chestertown Branch's Official Reopening. We're inviting our community to come see our newly renovated library with an open house and refreshments all day.

Wednesday, beginning at 5:30 PM, we have local author Gail Johnston presenting "Past & Present: Growing Up in 1950s Baltimore." Ms. Johnston is author of "Make a Lot of Noise and Don't Go on the Porch" a memoir of her early childhood years. Her presentation will be followed by a book signing and reception.

On Thursday at 11 AM, check out Sabine Harvey's presentation on Vegetable Gardening at the Chestertown Branch, if you haven't already seen it at one of our other branches. Ms. Harvey hails from the Maryland Cooperative Extension.

And of course, don't forget our regularly scheduled storytimes and craft program. See our calendar for the full National Library Week schedule.

And next time you're in, please let your local library staff know how much you appreciate what we do for you. Or drop us a line at to let us know how we've made a difference in your life. With your permission, we'd love to share your story with our staff and patrons. In fact, there's a prize associated with the best library related story submitted online or in a branch.

Listen to ALA's announcement of National Library Week here, and contact us with any questions. We look forward to seeing you!

Posted by Karen at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Update: Here's an interview with Holly Black that aired on Public Radio Delmarva this morning, Thursday, March 26.

Posted by Karen at 02:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's tax time. Here's what we have to offer at the library that could make your life a little simpler.

We have copies of the following tax forms and associated instruction books ready and waiting in all three branches: IRS 1040, Schedules A & B, 1040A, 1040EZ, and Maryland State Booklets

Other tax forms can be downloaded and printed from the IRS Website, Maryland's Tax Site, or Delaware's Tax Site. If you don't have Internet access, printer access, or you need help navigating the sites to find a specific form, we would be more than happy to help you print your forms at the reference desk.

Please note, our library employees are NOT tax professionals and may not provide any tax advice, including recommending which tax forms you may need. If you do not know which forms you will need, please seek the advice of a tax professional before coming to the library to print your forms, or be prepared to do some independent research; we'd be happy to point you to some resources. To get you started, here's the IRS's explanation of when to use form 1040 vs. 1040A vs. 1040EZ.

For tax help, you may want to contact a local tax preparer or learn more about AARP's Tax Aide Program.

If you'll be doing your own taxes, you may find "J.K. Lasser's Your Income Tax 2009" to be an invaluable resource. We recommend checking it out or placing a hold early, as there are only three copies currently available, one per branch.

A few other tax related titles you may find interesting include:
"Tax Deductions for Professionals"
"Working for yourself law & taxes for independent contractors, freelancers & consultants"
"Jk Lasser's New Rules For Estate And Tax Planning"
"Lower taxes in 7 easy steps"
"Stand up to the IRS"
"The FairTax book : saying goodbye to the income tax and the IRS"

Posted by Karen at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

An economic recession is a great time to save some money and enjoy yourself by growing your own veggies. Sabine Harvey from the Maryland Extension Office will be giving an excellent program on Vegetable Gardening. Mark your calendar now for the date/time/location that works best for you.

7 PM, Wednesday March 25 at the Rock Hall Branch
7 PM, Tuesday April 7 at the North County Branch
11 AM, Thursday, April 16 at the Main Branch in Chestertown

For more information, please contact the library.

Posted by Karen at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tell your friends! First Friday Films are Back!

On Friday, April 3, join us for another Independent Film showing at the library, for free. We will be showing "The Rage in Placid Lake," a quirky coming of age film by director Tony McNamara. It is a comedy in English, from Australia. The showing begins at 2:30 PM in our newly renovated main meeting room at the Chestertown Branch, and lasts 89 minutes, ending in time to head down to the First Friday art gallery openings nearby. Popcorn will be provided. This showing is limited to patrons over 18 or with parental permission.

About the film:

Placid Lake (Ben Lee) has always been different. His crayon eating scientific genius of a best friend, Gemma (Rose Byrne), also has a few issues with "blending in". As an odd fish in a sea of mediocrity, his brilliant ideas are bound to get him into more trouble than success. So when he finds himself in a tight spot with the school bullies who have been after him all his life, Placid decides to make a bid for the elusive normal life. To his parents' horror, he gets a normal job. Soon he is embracing conformity on the fast track to corporate success. But can Placid finally retire his rage in the pursuit of normalcy? Or will his plan backfire?

To learn more or view a trailer, visit FilmMovement.com who provided this film.

Posted by Karen at 09:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Chestertown Library Book Group will be discussing "The Painted Veil" by Somerset Maugham on Wednesday, March 25 at 5:30 PM.

The Kent Nonfiction Book Group will be discussing "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time" by Greg Mortenson on Tuesday, March 31 at Noon.

For more information or to participate in either book discussion group, please contact the library.

Posted by Karen at 01:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

To use our online resources, start at our home page (www.kentcountylibrary.org), click on Search, then click on Articles & Info.

Can't view this video clip? You may need to download Adobe Flash Player for free. Click here to view the larger version or click the "Refresh" button in your browser to replay from the beginning. Be sure to tell your friends!

Posted by Karen at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Create It @ Your Library -- This month we are making things to celebrate Spring! All ages are welcome at this drop-in craft program. Drop in and stay for part or all!

Chestertown
Saturday, March 21st
9:30-11am

North County
Thursday, March 19th
5:30-7pm

Family program -- all ages welcome!

Posted by Karen at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Harriet Tubman: The History, Myth and Memory of an American Hero

Dr Kate Clifford Larson, author of "Bound for the Promised Land" presents "Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero" at 11 am on Thursday, March 19. Book Signing and Reception to follow.

Posted by Karen at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Chestertown Branch of the Kent County Public Library will be closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday, March 16-17 while the library is being painted. The Rock Hall and North County branches will be operating on their normal schedule. You can drop off returns to any of our bookdrops. To renew items, you can call us at 410-778-3636 or use the online renewal system within the My Account section of our catalog. We apologize for any inconvenience during this time of renovations and thank you for your continued patronage.

Posted by Karen at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)