Let's Turn Our Attention to Main

Purloined, again, from Stephanie Simon

The Main Library is still going strong. Each month, more than 45,000 people pass through its doors. They use our public access computers, which are busy throughout the day. They bring their own laptops and make use of our free Wi-Fi connection. They bring their children to story times. They attend lectures and performances. And, they borrow close to 60,000 items (from the latest hardcover novels to newly released DVDs) from the Main Library.

Starting Saturday, Feb. 6, the Main Library will offer free federal income tax preparation for people with household incomes of less than $49,000 annually. The tax help is provided by our partners -- IRS VITA volunteers and AARP Tax Aide volunteers -- and is available on Wednesdays by appointment and Saturdays on a walk-in basis. The free tax preparation service days run from Feb. 6 through April 14. Last year, APL's tax program filed 1,004 returns for Albany residents resulting in almost $1.3 million in refunds back to the community! For more information about tax help at the Main Library, call the Reference Department at 427-4303.

In other Main Library news, work on the new Local History Room started this week. The demolition and construction work necessary to turn the old Albany Center Gallery space on the second floor into our new Local History Room is expected to take several months to complete. During that time, customers should be prepared for noise coming from the second floor work area. There will also be an impact on the parking lot and garage with work vehicles and dumpsters. Please be patient with this work! At the end of the process, we'll have a wonderful space to house the extraordinary Pruyn Collection of Local History.