February at the Library, plus Shute Park News!

It's February, and in spite of the wintry weather things are clipping along at the Library as we get ready to reopen the Shute Park Branch! Here's what's new, what's noteworthy, and what's important:

• Tax season is officially underway, and AARP Tax Aide is providing tax preparation help in the Community Room all day on Mondays and Tuesdays. AARP volunteers are available to provide free tax filing on a walk-in basis now through April 15. And just in case you or someone you know is looking for a way to stretch your volunteering muscles, they're looking for a tax site greeter on Monday afternoons and Tuesday mornings. If you're interested, let me know! 
• The Library will be closed all day on Monday, February 17, for George Washington's Birthday (a.k.a. Presidents Day). 
• We have some great programs coming up later this month, including a new installment of Conversations with Writers, Fruit Tree Pruning, and an evening of West African Dance. Check out the online calendar for full details! 

In Shute Park news, we are getting ready for a Grand Reopening on Saturday, March 15. The new branch staff is on board, staff and volunteers are pulling books to be sent back to Shute Park, and things are moving quickly!

• The Branch staff for Shute Park has all been selected, and unlike before, they will be assigned to the Branch, rather than moving back and forth between the libraries. It's an excellent team, including Branch Manager Hillary Ostlund; Librarian Elizabeth Lopez; Library Assistants Deepa Chandra and Barbara Luster; Clerks Courtney Gill and Meredith Vuylsteke; and Page Hannah Mason. Mally Castner, Carol Smith, Jackie Brooks, and Rosa Noyola will also be assigned to Shute Park part-time. 
• Now that the staff is in place, we're starting to work out what volunteer positions we'll have at Shute Park. I'll let you know the plan later this month.  
• If you'd like to make a permanent mark on Shute Park, we have an opportunity for you! Local artist Lynn Adamo is working with community members to create mosaic pavers for the plaza outside the new main entrance to the Shute Park Branch. There's still time to get involved, with workshops on Saturday the 22nd. Registration is required--check out the details on the Library calendar. 
• The last day for the Bookmobile will be Saturday, March 8. The computer lab at the Hillsboro Police Department will wrap up operations on February 22, to give us time to get everything set back up at Shute Park before we reopen. 

If you have questions about anything that's happening at either location, please ask! There's a lot going on, and your questions are important.