ECRL website

A surprise is coming your way!

The ECRL website will be unavailable beginning tonight at 12am midnight, while we work to bring you something new.

During the downtime, you can still access important services and resources from our catalog:
-ECRL Catalog- http://catalog.ecrlib.org/

Other services and resources can be located here:
-Zinio- https://www.rbdigital.com/eastcentralmn
-Heritage Quest- http://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/hqa

You can also call us at 763-689-7390.

We will make an announcement when the website is up and running.

New Music CDs

The following music CD titles have been added to our catalog. Click here to search for and place holds on your favorite artists.

Artist	Title	STREET DATE
TOP 40
John, Elton	Wonderful Crazy Night	2/5/2016
Various Artists	NOW That's What I Call Music 57	2/5/2016
Wolfmother	Victorious	2/19/2016
Daughtry	It's Not Over: The Hits So Far	2/12/2016
Majid Jordan	Majid Jordan	2/5/2016
Springfield, Rick	Rocket Science	2/19/2016
Simple Plan	Taking One For The Team	2/19/2016
COUNTRY
Kelley, Charles	The Driver	2/5/2016
Gill, Vince	Down To My Last Bad Habit	2/12/2016
Joey+Rory	Hymns	2/12/2016
Wynonna & The Big Noise	Wynonna & The Big Noise	2/12/2016
Jennings, Shooter	Countach	2/26/2016

Marcia Ledin, Technical Services Manager

Limited 2015 Tax Documents at East Central Regional Library

As much as we hate to think about it, tax season is upon us. Tax forms usually start to arrive at the ECRL branch libraries in late January.

East Central Regional Library has received notice that the Minnesota Department of Revenue will no longer provide state tax forms and instructions to libraries beginning January 1, 2016.  The Minnesota Department of Revenue is making this change in order to ensure taxpayers are filing with the most up-to-date tax forms and instructions, which are on available online or by calling 1-800-652-9094.

In addition, ECRL has received notice that, for the second year, branch libraries will receive a limited supply of federal tax forms from the Internal Revenue Service.  As a result of the increasing number of taxpayers using software to prepare their federal tax returns (95% electronically filed last tax season), the IRS continues to decrease the number of tax products available to public libraries. Beginning in January 2016, East Central Regional Library will receive Forms 1040, 1040 A, and 1040 EZ.  ECRL branches will also have on hand reference copies of the 1040 instruction booklet and the 2015 Tax Guide for Individuals, for use in the library.  Individuals and employers may order forms from the IRS webpage or by calling 1-800-829-3676, and the IRS will deliver them by mail to you. Many forms and instructions are also available to view and download online.

Library staff can assist with locating and printing online tax forms but are not able to give advice regarding the forms that you might need. Printing and copying is $.15/single-sided black & white page, $.25/double-sided black & white page, and $.50/single-sided color page.

Beginning in January 2016, you may wish to call your local library to see if the form(s) you need are in.

Online Forms
Links to printable versions of commonly used forms for state & federal taxes are below. 

1040 form and instructions 

1040A form and instructions 

1040EZ form and instructions 

All current year forms 

Income Tax form and instructions

Property Tax form and instructions

Certification of Rent Paid (CRP)

All current year forms

Tax Assistance 
Lakes and Pines operates a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for low-income individuals and families to have their income taxes prepared for free.  Additional Tax Assistance locations may be found in late January at the State of Minnesota’s Free Tax Preparation Site finder.  Most free tax preparation sites are open February 1st through April 15th.

For Minnesota tax assistance, call the Minnesota Department of Revenue phone number at 651-296-3781, Monday-Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm.

For IRS forms and publications call 1-800-829-3676. For federal tax assistance call 1-800-829-1040.  Both are open Monday-Friday from 7 am-7 pm. IRS Minnesota office locations are here.

Businesses 
Federal tax forms and publications for businesses often have to be ordered directly from the IRS and cannot be printed off.  For more information see Federal Tax Forms for Business and the State of Minnesota Tax Information for Businesses.

Sarah Hawkins, Resource Librarian