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Category: First 2 Know

  • Tax Help at The Library

    The Library doesn’t offer tax advice or tax preparation services, but we do connect our community with trusted resources, local programs, and the materials you need to file confidently.

    Each year, The Library provides access to essential tax forms and instructions. Our locations will have the federal 1040 and 1040-SR forms and instructions onsite. Our staff can help you locate any other forms you need on the IRS and PA Department of Revenue websites, so you can be sure you’re accessing the most up to date versions. We can also print out those forms for you. Printing costs twenty cents per page, but the first five pages are free!

    If you are looking for free tax assistance, we can provide you with information on the programs offered by AARP (Tax-Aide) and the United Way (Money in Your Pocket). Tax-Aide focuses on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. The service does not have any income restrictions, and you don’t have to be an AARP member to use it. Money in Your Pocket (MIYP) offers free tax preparation for families who made $69,000 or less and individuals who made $48,000 or less in 2025. They also offer free remote tax preparation through their Touch-Free Taxes program. Both programs require appointments for most of their sites. 

    To make it easy to convey this information to our community, we have combined the information for both programs into a one-page handout. It lists the locations, days and times for all of the sites in Dauphin County. You will also find the contact information to schedule an appointment. For those who want to file their own returns, it includes links to reputable, free online websites.

    A highlight on this year’s handout is a change in procedure. The IRS began phasing out paper checks in September 2025. Because of this, you should take bank account information with you when you go to your appointment; MIYP sites will not be able to file a return without it. For individuals who do not have a traditional bank account, we’ve included some suggestions for alternative sources to have your refund direct deposited. If you don’t see this handout when you are at The Library, ask a staff member to print it out for you.

    Whether you’re printing forms, searching for tax information, or locating reliable assistance, The Library is here to support you throughout tax season. Stop by any location; we’re always happy to help you connect with the resources you need.

  • The 1619 Project with the Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

    The Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., proudly co-hosted community viewings of The 1619 Project series with the Dauphin County Library System East Shore Library, featuring panel discussions following all six episodes.

    These powerful conversations created space for education, reflection, and dialogue around the lasting impact of slavery and systemic inequities. The collaboration strengthened community connections, deepened historical understanding, and reaffirmed the Sorority’s commitment to Arts and Letters and social action by highlighting the positive roles and artistic contributions of African American people of the past and present, while empowering attendees to engage thoughtfully with our shared past and present.

    If you are interested in joining The Library and the Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Sorority, Inc., as we continue our 1619 Project discussion series, visit https://dcls.libcal.com/event/15588915 to register. Program is for ages 16+ years. Registration is required.

  • Exploring Hobbies at The Library

    By Ann Marie, Information Services Supervisor, Dauphin County Library System

    Recent research, including a study1 published online by Nature Medicine on September 11, 2023, highlights the positive impact hobbies can have on mental well-being. That study’s findings revealed that engaging in hobbies is consistently linked to greater life satisfaction among adults aged 65 and older. Moreover, it’s found that hobbies involving physical activity, artistic or cultural pursuits, and social or community participation are protective against age-related declines in mental health and have the potential of making the time after retirement a period of “productive aging”.

    If such research inspires you to revisit a favorite hobby or try something new, The Library is here to help. From classic pastimes like knitting or crochet, painting, or stamp collecting to popular trends such as gardening, baking, and yoga/sports, you’ll find a wealth of resources—books, magazines, and digital resources—to get you started.

    Begin your exploration by searching our catalog for books and materials about the hobby or pastime that interests you. You will discover that our collection includes a wide range of resources covering many different hobbies.

    (Note: To find the most relevant results for your interests, try entering a keyword directly related to the individual hobby you wish to explore. You will receive many more results than if you simply enter “hobby” or “hobbies” as a search term.)

    Next, look at the magazines and e-magazines that we offer. Many periodicals focus on a specific hobby or activity and will offer a great amount of information in a concise format. Our e-magazine collection in Libby includes 649 titles, including many dedicated to specific hobbies. To find Libby, visit our collection webpage and look under eBooks & eAudioBooks. To limit your search of Libby to a magazine about your favorite activity, try entering a search term that includes the phrase “magazines and” followed by the name of a specific hobby or interest.

    Don’t forget to explore our databases, as still more hobby-related information can be found in them. A great one to explore is Universal Class, a digital database offering over 600 online courses, including many ones related to hobbies. Cake Decorating, Photography 101, and How to Draw 101 are just a few of these. You can find a link to Universal Class on our Research webpage. It is available wherever and whenever you are. If you are outside of a library building, just enter your library card number and PIN to gain access. All courses are free to library members and can be completed on your timeline.

    Want to actually try out a new hobby for free? Your library can help you with that as well. Many libraries offer free hobby-related programs that you can attend – programs like craft programs, sewing instruction, gardening, and more. To explore what the Dauphin County Library System is currently offering, view our Compass (program guide) or visit our Events & Programs webpage. Some hobby-related programs scheduled for this winter include:

    • Knit One, Crochet, Too!
    • The Stitch Sitch
    • Craft Café
    • Coloring for Adults!
    • Crafternoon at The Library
    • Upcycling Crafting
    • Build Your Own Terrarium
    • Mary Sachs Series: Sourdough for Beginners

    Lastly, gardening enthusiasts, you can visit the Seed Library at the East Shore Area Library to get seeds. Puzzle enthusiasts, we have plenty of jigsaw puzzles for you to borrow. Do you like playing board games? We have those too. This January (National Hobby Month), plan a trip to the library/library website and begin to enjoy all that having a hobby can do for you.

    Citation


    1 Mak, H.W., Noguchi, T., Bone, J.K. et al. Hobby engagement and mental wellbeing among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries. Nat Med 29, 2233–2240 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02506-1