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2010 Census forms will be mailed soon

Saturday, February 27, 2010 – 11:49 am

2010 Census forms will be mailed beginning March 15.  The form will have 10 simple questions.    Beware of scammers posing as census workers, asking for information you don’t have to give them.     If you have questions, you might try this site:  The Census Question and Answer Center.   If you do not receive a Census 2010 questionnaire,  you may call the Questionnaire Assistance Center at 1-866-872-6868. (For a Spanish-speaking operator, dial 1-866-928-2010).  The lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.  seven days a week from February 25, 2010 through July 30, 2010.    For the hearing-impaired, dial 1-866-783-2010.   Census representatives will be available at library branches in April to assist people.    Read about How the Census Benefits Your Community.  In 72 years, your family will be able to look you up for their genealogy research.


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Student Aid on the Web

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 – 5:04 pm

Welcome to Student Aid on the Web, the U.S. Department of Education’s site for free information on preparing for and funding education beyond high school, whether you are a Non-traditional Student, International Student, or a parent looking for how to help your child prepare for education beyond high school. The Federal Student Aid Gateway: the source for free information, guidance and tools for federal student assistance from the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid. Or you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID. If you cannot access a toll-free number, call FSAIC at 319-337-5665. TTY users can call 1-800-730-8913.


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Deduct Contributions for Haiti Relief on your 2009 taxes

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 – 2:55 pm

New Law to Deduct Certain Contributions for Haiti Relief:   a new tax relief law allows taxpayers who contributed in 2010 to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti to claim these donations on their 2009 tax return. To deduct these contributions, taxpayers must itemize the deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040) or Schedule A (Form 1040NR).  See Notice 1396: Certain Cash Contributions for Haiti Relief Can Be Deducted on Your 2009 Tax Return, which explains the requirements for claiming those contributions.   See also Ten Facts About Claiming Donations Made to Haiti.


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USA Responds to Haiti Earthquake

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 – 8:34 pm

The Whitehouse.gov Haiti Earthquake page includes a Person Finder tool and some ways that you can help. The Center for International Disaster Information offers more ways to get involved. The FBI has some Guidelines for Haitian Relief Fund donation scams.


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Unprecedented Global Aging

Tuesday, January 5, 2010 – 6:39 pm

Global aging is examined in a new Report commissioned by the National Institute on Aging.  In just over 30 years, the proportion of old people will double from 7 percent to 14 percent of the total world population, according to An Aging World: 2008.  This report examines international population trends:   Why Population Aging Matters: A Global Perspective“.


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Spotting Counterfeit Money

Saturday, December 26, 2009 – 4:48 pm

These US Secret Service pages on KNOW YOUR MONEY are designed to help you detect counterfeit currency and guard against forgery loss, including how to How To Detect Counterfeit Money the old-fashioned way without using the security features of modern bills, and what to do If you Suspect a Note is Counterfeit


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Traveling to the Olympics in Canada?

Saturday, December 12, 2009 – 6:31 pm

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires U.S. and Canadian travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the United States.   Learn about current travel document requirements on the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) website.   An acceptable alternative to a passport for re-entry into the U.S. at land and sea border crossings is the Washington State enhanced driver license (EDL) and enhanced ID card (EID)


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Fake emails about H1N1 (swine flu) Vaccination Profiles

Friday, December 4, 2009 – 5:46 pm

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has received reports of fraudulent emails (phishing) referencing a CDC sponsored State Vaccination Program.   Read this Alert about Health Related Hoaxes.   THERE IS NO PROFILE PROGRAM.   The messages request that users must create a personal H1N1 (swine flu) Vaccination Profile on the cdc.gov website.  The CDC does NOT require  registration on www.cdc.gov.  Users that click on the email are at risk of having malicious code installed on their system.  CDC reminds users to take the following steps to reduce the risk of being a victim of a phishing attack:   Do not follow unsolicited links and do not open or respond to unsolicited email messages.    Use caution when entering personal information online.


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Copyright tools help you determine public domain

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 – 2:05 pm

Copyright tools:  With the support and expertise of the ALA OITP Copyright Advisory Subcommittee, Michael Brewer of the University of Arizona Library, has developed two new tools.  The first “108 Spinner” is specifically targeted to assist librarians with questions about when section 108 of the copyright code (the library and archives provision) applies.  The second tool “DitgitalSlider” helps you determine the copyright term of a work or whether it has fallen into the public domain.


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Spokane Social Security office moves to new location

Thursday, November 12, 2009 – 5:06 pm

The Spokane Social Security Office’s new location is at
714 North Iron Bridge Way, Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99202.   The new office is located in the Iron Bridge Office Park, which is a few blocks east of the intersection of Trent and Hamilton. To get to the office from Trent, turn north onto Perry. The office is at the end of the street and is served by Spokane Transit bus 29. The public can conduct business with Social Security by calling 800-772-1213 or by visiting the Social Security Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov.


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