The Niagara Falls Public Library’s Victoria Avenue location is pleased to host free income tax preparation clinics for low-income earners. Individuals must meet income guidelines to participate and must register in advance.

Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario and volunteers from the Canada Revenue Agency’s community volunteer income tax program will be on hand in February and March to help complete personal income tax returns.

The Chartered Accountants program takes place on several Wednesday and Thursday evenings in February and March. The 30-minute sessions run from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. To qualify, individuals without dependents must have a total household income of less than $17,000. Individuals with dependents must have a total household income below $25,000. If two or more individuals in one household are employed, the combined household income must not exceed the limits.

The program sponsored by Canada Revenue Agency will be offered on March 8 and March 22 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. This program provides trained volunteers who give their time to complete simple returns. The volunteers are not employees of Canada Revenue, nor are they tax experts trained to do complex tax returns. To qualify, a single person must have income lower than $25,000 and a person married or with dependents must have income lower than $30,000. Interest income must be less than $1000. Complex forms or final returns for a taxpayer who has passed away will not be handled at these clinics. Only 2009 returns will be completed at the Canada Revenue clinic.

Call the Victoria Avenue Library at 905-356-8080 for more information or to register.

The theme of our Children’s crafts for this month is Valentine’s Day. All libraries offer Saturday programs, beginning this week at Chippawa and the Community Centre branches, next Saturday at Stamford and February 20 at the Victoria Avenue Library. Call to register or check the library website, for more information.

Big Screen Tuesday for February 9, features John Travolta and Robin Williams as best friends and business partners, who are soon in over their heads, when they are suddenly confronted with caring for the 7 year old twins, unknowingly fathered by Dan (Williams), during a short lived marriage. Despite their best intentions, the youngsters have them at their mercy in this 2009 family comedy. Old Dogs will be shown at 7pm in the LaMarsh Room.

For the month of February, local artist Jeannette Tossounian, is presenting a show entitled “Cities” in the Rosberg Gallery. The gallery is open during library hours.