Spring Lake District Library | Serving Our Community For More Than 150 Years

A History of – and Trip to – Detroit

Are you interested in the history of Michigan’s biggest city? Even though it’s on the other side of the state, what happens in Detroit affects all Michiganders – if for no other reason than we want to cheer on our Tigers or Red Wings. For an insightful and thought-provoking look at the city that used to be called the ‘Paris of the Midwest,’ join us on Thursday, March 5 at 7pm for A History of Detroit: From Marvelous Metropolis to Bankruptcy.

The library has teamed up with the Tri-Cities Historical Museum to bring Muskegon Community College instructors George Maniates and Kurt Troutman in for this presentation, and we’re looking forward to it!

If you’re interested in learning more about Detroit, you can also visit the Tri-Cities Historical Museum on Thursday, March 19 at 7pm for a lecture titled Art or Asset – the Behind the Scenes Struggles of the DIA.

After learning about Detroit and the DIA, why not visit? Join our lecturers on a bus trip to the DIA with stops in Greektown and John K King Books. The trip will take place on Saturday, May 2. For more information or to reserve your seat on the bus, please call the museum at 616.842.0700.

If you can’t wait for May, you can visit Detroit by book. Take a look at the list of 2015 Michigan Notable Books that take place in and around Detroit or examine historical aspects of the city. All of these books are available at the Spring Lake District Library.

Tax Form Update!

If you’re a tax season early bird, you’ll be happy to know that all of our tax forms have arrived! As you may be aware, this year the IRS made some changes in how it sends tax forms and publications to public libraries. We only are receiving copies of Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ. We won’t be receiving any instruction booklets or schedules this year. All forms, schedules, and instructions are available online at irs.gov. You can print what you need from there or simply view it online.

We have reproducible forms at the library for you to look at or copy. We also have several copies of the instruction booklets available for check out.

We also have received our Michigan tax forms including the Home Heating Credit booklet. Michigan forms are also available online at Michigan.gov/taxes.

If you are a senior who wants assistance with your taxes, the Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging (formerly the North Ottawa County Council on Aging) is here to help! The Center is providing trained AARP tax aides to assist seniors. To make an appointment with a tax aide, call the Four Pointes Center at 616.842.9210. Meetings can be held here at the library or at another location.

Youth Tree Banner Contest

Do you live in the Spring Lake School District and have a child 5-18 years old who likes to draw? Then we have a contest for you. The Spring Lake District Library is partnering with the Village of Spring Lake, North Bank Communities Fund, and Spring Lake Rotary to host a banner contest in celebration of the two decades that the Village of Spring Lake has been designated Tree City USA. School children are invited to create tree-related drawings to submit to the contest. The winning drawings will be reproduced as banners to be displayed throughout the Village.

Want to know more? Download a copy of the contest rules and entry form in PDF format or stop by the Youth Services desk of the library to pick up an entry packet. All entries are due by March 9, 2015.

To kick this fun contest off, we’re excited to have the Outdoor Discovery Center visiting the library on Tuesday, February 3^rd at 2pm. They’ll talk about the importance of trees to many of Michigan’s animals and the many roles trees play in our ecosystem. And they’ll bring some live tree-loving animals for attendees to look at up close! Come to learn about animals and trees in Michigan then get inspired to create a banner.

Tax Time Update

February is on the horizon and thoughts of many turn to tax season. This year, the IRS has made some changes in how it sends tax forms and publications to public libraries. Public libraries – including SLDL – will receive copies of Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ. We don’t have a date for when these forms will arrive yet, but we will keep you updated as we know more. We won’t be receiving instruction booklets or any schedules this year. All forms, schedules, and instructions are available online at irs.gov. You can print what you need from there or simply view it online.

We will have reproducible forms at the library available for you to copy or look at.

January Book Sale Canceled

The Friends of the Spring Lake District Library January Book Sale scheduled for January 22 through 24 has been canceled. We look forward to the annual Heritage Festival Book Sale in June.

Are you interested in learning more about the Friends? They have their own page on the library’s website with information about the library services they support, their goals, and how to join. New members are always warmly welcomed!