Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 was the first day of Session 1 of the 111th Congress of the United States. For an excellent resource on the role of Congress and the legislative process, please browse the website of The Center on Congress at Indiana University. For websites of members of the U.S. House of Representatives, go to the top of the U.S. House website to find a drop-down menu by name. Members of the U.S. Senate can be found at the Senators of the 111th Congress webpage, an alphabetical list found on the Senate website. Search for a bill’s summary and status by using THOMAS (Library of Congress). Once a bill becomes a law, it will be listed by number in the Federal Register with its Statutes at Large citation, available online at the National Archives Current Session Public Law Numbers website. Also, the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House provides a list of the Session Dates of Congress. Your patrons can use this when they look up Congressional hearings. Remember – you’ll need both the year and the session in which the hearings occurred before you begin searching.
Center on Congress: http://congress.indiana.edu/index.php
U.S House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/
Senators of the 111th Congress: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
THOMAS: http://thomas.loc.gov/
Current Session Public Law Numbers: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/laws/current.html
Session Dates of Congress: http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/house_history/Session_Dates/sessionsAll.html
FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
As people around the country continue to get laid off, more and more citizens need to file for unemployment. For libraries, this means an increase in patrons needing help in figuring out just how to do it. Librarians should direct their patrons to the Department of Workforce Development’s website. However, for those who need further assistance, the Hammond Public Library has created an excellent worksheet. It lays out the beginning steps quite clearly and is a good resource for librarians and patrons alike.
Department of Workforce Development: http://www.in.gov/dwd
HPL Unemployment Worksheet: http://www.hammond.lib.in.us/PDF/Filing%20for%20Unemployment%20in%204%20Easy%20Steps.pdf
THE TAX MAN COMETH
There may be a lot of confusion this year about tax laws, tax codes, etc. This year, most Hoosier homeowners received a property tax rebate. Does that mean they have to pay taxes on it? The Indiana Department of Revenue will not tax this rebate, but according to its Homepage Notice on Property Taxes, it will need to be reported on your Federal Tax Return. Property tax rebates may be taxable at the federal level. To find if yours is, see the IRS Memorandum on Property Taxes. The Indiana Department of Revenue has helpful resources to get you through the tax season, including tax forms. You can also find tax filing deadlines and current year tax forms for individuals. If you have a small business, there are additional tax requirements. This information can also be found that the Department of Revenue. Remember, April 15th will be here before you know it! File early and avoid the headache and hassles!!
Indiana Department of Revenue: http://www.in.gov/dor/index.htm
Homepage Notice: http://www.in.gov/dor/3903.htm
IRS Memorandum: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-wd/0721017.pdf
Tax Forms: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-wd/0721017.pdf
Tax Filing Deadlines: http://www.in.gov/dor/3344.htm
Current year tax forms for individuals: http://www.in.gov/dor/3910.htm
Tax information for businesses: http://www.in.gov/dor/3335.htm
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF SERVICE – JAN 19, 2009
Monday, January 19 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As most Americans know, King played a large part in the leadership of the Civil Rights Movement and was assassinated in 1968. His birthday is celebrated today as a national holiday. Most federal and state government facilities will be closed on this day, including the U.S. Postal Service.
In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, which designated it as a day of service. The goal is for US citizens not to see this as a day off, but rather as a day where they can help their communities or their country. For those who are unsure of how they can make a difference, visit USA Service events for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The site allows users to select their location and the types of service they are interested in. To receive regular volunteer updates, sign up at their website. Another organization for volunteers is the Corporation for National and Community Service. The center gives grants to organizations and individuals who want to make a difference, and provides further opportunities to volunteer.
The State of Indiana also offers links to volunteer opportunities, including an interactive map that allows you to find nearby centers. To see where Indiana sits in the rankings by state for volunteerism, visit Volunteering in America.
King Holiday and Service Act: http://fdsys.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-103hr1933rs/pdf/BILLS-103hr1933rs.pdf
USA Service events for MLK day http://www.usaservice.org/page/content/eventsearch
Receive updates http://www.usaservice.org/
Corporation for National and Community Service http://www.cns.gov/
Indiana volunteer opportunities: http://www.in.gov/ofbci/volunteer/finder.html
Indiana’s ranking: http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/state.cfm?state=IN
CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, the number of cases of cervical cancer and the number of deaths from cervical cancer have decreased significantly in the last 50 years. This is largely the result of many women getting regular Pap tests, which can find cervical pre-cancer before it turns into cancer. You can help increase awareness by reminding your friends and family members to get checked regularly. You can also help patrons by directing them to the following websites:
National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/cervical
NIH, Medline Plus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cervicalcancer.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cervical Cancer http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/
Fact Sheet: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/pdf/cervical_facts.pdf
Making Progress Against Cervical Cancer: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/CervicalCancer/
American Cancer Society, Detailed Guide: Cervical Cancer: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=8
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION 2009
Tuesday, January 20 2009 marks the historic presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. Obama will be the 44th president and the 1st African-American president of the United States. While most of us will be watching the inauguration from home, many Hoosiers will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to attend the ceremony. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies’ Event site highlights maps of the city and subway system, accommodations, and items that are prohibited at the event. You can also learn about the history of presidential inaugurations and other events happening that day.
Another good site for history buffs is CNN’s feature on the inauguration. Words from the Past allows viewers to read the inaugurations speeches of all the former presidents. When available, you can also watch a video of the speeches.
JCCIC Event Site: http://inaugural.senate.gov/2009/
Washington, D.C. Event Site: http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/events.asp
Words from the Past: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/inauguration/speechlibrary/index.html
by Katharine Springer & Elisabeth O’Donnell