Check Your Tax Professional's Background with IRS Directory

This tax season, you may ask for help with preparing your return. But not all tax return preparers have the same level of skills, education, and expertise.

Before choosing a tax professional, check their credentials and qualifications.

Don't Delay, Renew Your Passport ASAP

"When does my passport expire?"

This is a question we ask ourselves before any big trip. If you haven't checked your passport's expiration date in a while and are planning a trip overseas, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise. 

Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. As spring and summer travel plans come up, passport agencies become even busier so begin the process now. So don't put it off and renew your passport today! 

If you have more questions regarding passports, visit the U.S Department of State's frequently asked questions page.

Albany Reads features Books by 2016 Literary Legends

From the Albany Library Foundation: On Saturday, April 16, Albany Public Library enthusiasts from across the City will gather in the homes of their friends and neighbors to eat, drink and discuss one of the books written by our 2016 Literary Legends–Marion Roach Smith and Leonard Slade. After dinner and discussion, everyone will gather at the Washington Ave. branch of the Albany Public Library for dessert. Albany Reads 2015 featured Wicked by our 2015 Literary Legends honoree Gregory Maguire.

If you would like to host an Albany Reads dinner, please click here and fill out our host form.

Watch for more information about Albany Reads.

Meet President Obama's Nominee for Librarian of Congress

Today, I'm nominating someone to be our new Librarian of Congress -- the leader of one of our nation's oldest federal institutions -- and I want to introduce you to her.

Meet Dr. Carla Hayden.

Michelle and I have known Dr. Hayden for a long time since her days working at the Chicago Public Library, and her dedication to learning and education is unparalleled.

More recently, she's devoted her career to modernizing libraries so that everyone can participate in today's digital culture. She's been hard at work revitalizing Baltimore’s library system as the CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library, updating its technology and raising money to fund essential improvements. Under her leadership, the Pratt library has become the largest provider of public-access computers in Maryland.

As Librarian of Congress, she'll work in close partnership with Congress, support the copyright office that serves our nation’s creative communities, and explore new ways to share the information housed within our library through innovative technologies.

And I know she'll be a good steward for the important role that libraries play in our communities. Last year, during the unrest in Baltimore, Dr. Hayden and the library’s staff kept the doors of the Pratt open as a beacon for the community.

Finally, she'd be the first woman and the first African American to hold the position -- both of which are long overdue.

So I hope you'll take a couple minutes to watch this video and meet Carla for yourself.

I have no doubt she'll make a fantastic Librarian of Congress.

President Barack Obama

Black History Month Key Lesson Plans

If you're a history or art teacher and you're looking for a few more materials for your lesson plans on Black History Month, be sure to check out Kids.gov. You'll find information on the following and more:

• African American History 
• Black History Month Census Facts
  
• Harlem Renaissance Materials 
  
• Activities: National Museum of African American History and Culture
  
• Guide: African-American Mosaic 
  
• Lesson Plan: Revolution '67: Protest: Why and How
  
• Videos: Madam J. Walker, an American entrepreneur