Category Archives: Government & Politics

Taxing, indeed

Posted on January 15, 2013 | Leave a comment

Tax helpIf you’re an early tax filer, you’re probably frustrated by your inability to get your hands on the forms you need.

Because of the legislation passed on January 1 (remember the “fiscal cliff” deal?), many federal forms and instructions need to be rewritten. In addition to updating forms, the IRS must also test their programming and processing systems. According to the IRS, most people will be able to begin filing January 30.

Some forms may not be available until late February or early March, including a few popular forms like Form 8396 Mortgage Interest Credit and Form 8909 Energy Efficient Appliance Credit.

The fastest way to get your refund is to e-file. You can file for free with the IRS, if you meet income requirements. And everyone can file their Illinois returns free online with WebFile from the Illinois Department of Revenue. WebFile will begin accepting returns January 30.

Need help with forms, filing, or have questions? Try our Tax Time hot topic; come in to use our print and online resources; or check out a book or pick up forms (when they send us some), to take home.

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Posted in Government & Politics, Home and Family, Reference & Research

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The War of 1812 Revisited

Posted on November 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

We all studied about the War of 1812 in history class, but many of us know very little about this conflict. The 200th anniversary of the start of the war occurs this year, so perhaps this is a good time to remember what happened.

Did you know that  Francis Scott Key was inspired to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” after soldiers at Fort McHenry in Baltimore raised an American flag to mark their victory over the British on September 14, 1814?

The British burned down the White House on August 24, 1814, and first lady Dolley Madison refused to leave the building until the Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington had been saved. That painting hangs in the White House today.

The most famous American warship was the USS Constitution.  You can visit this ship in Charleston, Massachusetts, near Boston.

Many important battles were fought in the midwest as the British sought to take control of the Great Lakes. Fort Dearborn, located where Chicago is now, was destroyed in the war.

If you’d like to read more about this conflict, we have a new reference set titled The Encyclopedia of the War of 1812 (REF 973.5203 ENC). For other books check our catalog, our History Research Guide, or Ask Us!

Check out the War of 1812 official website.

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Posted in Books, Government & Politics, History, Reference & Research

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What do these books have in common?

Posted on October 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

The American Library Association released a list of books in April that included these titles:  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.

What do these books have in common?  They were included in the ALA’s list of the 10 most frequently challenged books of 2011.

Banned Books Week extends from September 30 – October 6.  This will be the 30th anniversary for this event.  The American Library Association promotes everyone’s freedom to read.  Choose a book and celebrate your freedom to read.

 

 

 

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Posted in Books, Education, Government & Politics

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Just the facts, please

Posted on September 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

Do you want to check out the accuracy of the claims and counterclaims that you are hearing during this contentious political season?  Here are some sources that will help you:

FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center.

PolitiFact.com is a Pulitizer Prize-winning project of the Tampa Bay Times.

VoteSmart.org, founded by former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford and others, is a nonprofit, non-partisan educational organization.

U.S. Congress Votes Database shows the voting records going back to 1991 for all the members of Congress.

For additional information, check out our subject guide on government and politics and the 2012 Elections topic page or Ask Us!

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Posted in Government & Politics, Reference & Research

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Who Goes First?

Posted on September 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

Conventions 2012Are you wondering why the Republicans had their convention first this year? Is there a rule about which party goes first?

Since 1956, back when Eisenhower was the president, the party that held the White House has traditionally gone second, so this year the Democrats have their convention after the Republicans.

During the years 1864 to 1956, the Democrats had their convention after the Republicans, with the one exception of 1888 when the Democrats went first.

There is no mention of conventions in the Constitution, and conventions have evolved over the years, along with the process of selecting nominees. The first nominating convention in American history occurred in 1831, when the anti-Masonic Party held their convention in Baltimore. The Democrats and National Republicans followed with conventions in 1832.

Questions?  Ask Us! Interested in government and politics? Check out our subject guide and the 2012 Elections topic page.

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Posted in Events, Government & Politics, Reference & Research

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