Meet our staff!
We'll be featuring members of our Library staff in the newsletter this year.This will give you the opportunity to get to know us better!
First up --
Jill PrattChildren's Librarian  I am Jill Pratt and I have been working at the Library for 13 years. I am the Children's Librarian, which means I get to have the fun of doing Story Time and Toddler Time several times a week. I love getting to know the kids and their parents and demonstrating the importance of early literacy. I also get to work with elementary and junior high students through the annual "Battle of the Books" program. It is so rewarding and fun to talk books with these kids and help them find a new genre or author that they enjoy. The Children's Room staff also plans and implements the Summer Reading Program each year. I'm proud to say we usually have about 2,000 people register for the reading program. Throughout the summer the library typically provides more than 80 fun, educational programs for youth of all ages from birth to high school. It is busy and crazy and awesome! The staff of the Children's Room is the best and it is a joy to work with them every day.
I have been married for 26 years to my husband, John, and we have two wonderful daughters, Clare and Caroline. We are getting ready to become empty nesters, which we are dreading and looking forward to at the same time. In my hours away from the library, I enjoy reading, walking our dog, watching old movies, and traveling.
Laura Jo Tebbe
Assistant Children's Librarian
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Mrs. Tebbe at Storytime
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Laura Jo thinks she's really lucky to be the Assistant Children's Librarian at the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library. "It's hard to know what I like the most - the preparation and planning that goes into getting programs ready, or seeing the smiles on the children's faces when they come to the programs." She is part of the team who present Toddler Times, Story Times, and Summer Reading events, as well as programs in the schools. Being with children is a perfect fit after 20 years teaching 1st and 2nd grade, both at Brookville Elementary and St. Mary's School. Laura Jo has been at the Greensburg Library for 10 years and also worked here about 30 years ago when it was in the Carnegie Building. She and Deb Smith were the first drivers of the Bookmobile. Deb stayed; Laura Jo went on to teaching. "Driving the Bookmobile and starting that program was quite an adventure! Sometimes I can't believe I did it. Deb reminds me that, indeed, I did have the guts to drive that huge machine once upon a time!"
Laura Jo has a BA from Marian College/University and a MA from Ball State University, both in Elementary Education. She married Glenn Tebbe, her high school sweetheart, and they have four children: Chris, Ben, Amanda, and Laura. They have 9 (almost 10) grandchildren - ages 2 - 12. "The grandkids are the perfect ones to read to and try out stories. If they love the stories, I know the children at the Library will love them too. They also help me know what kids like and what is popular."
When not at the Library, Laura Jo's favorite things are volunteering at church, going out to eat, shopping, and babysitting grandchildren. Her favorite two places to read (besides for story time) are on the beach and on the couch surrounded by grandchildren.
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Laura Jo's Book Nook
February in the Children's Room means that Battle of the Books is fast approaching. Battle of the Books is a friendly competition between Decatur County schools. There is an elementary division (5th and 6th grades) and a junior high division (7th and 8th grades). The team members read 10 books through the winter months, and in April they meet to answer questions about the books. Their knowledge and memory are astounding, and it is a fun day for all.
While the teams are busy doing their prep for the competition, the Library is also busy - first reading the books to choose the ones for this year, and then writing the questions. So, as you can imagine, Battle of the Books is on the top of our minds right now!
We would like to introduce the elementary books this month and we'll tell you more about the Jr. High books
in March!
The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate
Ivan is an easy going gorilla. Living in a shopping mall, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass. Then, he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the jungle. He knows it's time for change and it's up to him to do it.
Plunked
by Michael Northrop
Jack Morgan thinks he has a good chance for a starting spot on his Little League team. But, when a powerful stray pitch turns his world upside down, Jack discovers it's going to take more than a love of baseball to get back his game!
Summer of the Gypsy Moths
by Sara Pennypacker
Stella and Angel live with Great Aunt Louise in her old house on Cape Cod. When Aunt Louise dies suddenly, do they tell and have to go to another foster home? Or, do they carry on themselves and pretend she is still alive?
Joshua Dread
by Lee Bacon
When your parents are super-villains, it's hard to have a normal life. Turns out, Joshua has a superpower too. But he doesn't have to use it for evil, right?
Will Sparrow's Road
by Karen Cushman
Will Sparrow is running away...from his father who sold him....from the innkeeper who threatened to sell him as a chimney sweep....from his whole, sorry life. This is a compelling coming of age road trip set in 1599.
Here Lies Linc
by Delia Ray
Graveyards can be scary places, but to twelve year old Linc, they are practically home. His absentminded professor mother is an expert in the history of burial customs, which means that Linc has been dragged to more cemeteries than he can remember. But this year's going to be different...
Mockingbird
by Kathryn Erskine
As a girl with Asperger's syndrome, Caitlin's world is black and white. But, when her brother who has helped her understand the world dies, she discovers that the world also has shades of grey, and those shades are necessary for healing.
Saving Zasha
by Randi Barrow
World War II has just ended when Mikhail finds a dying man and his German Shepherd Zasha in the woods. It's dangerous to own a German dog after Germany attacked Russia, so Mikhail
must keep Zasha a secret to keep her alive.
Doll Bones
by Holly Black
Zach, Alice, and Poppy are in middle school now and too old to play make believe games. They set off on one last adventure, and that adventure becomes an epic journey where nothing is going right.
Jack Strong Takes a Stand
by Tommy Greenwald
Jack Strong is overscheduled with every extracurricular activity under the sun. Finally he goes on strike and won't leave the couch.
Book Nook is written by
Assistant Children's Librarian,
Laura Jo Tebbe.
She can be contacted at ljtebbe@greensburglibrary.org.
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Vanessa's Picks
Fiction:
The Bishop's Wife
by Mette Ivie Harrison
The Girl on the Train
by Paula Hawkins
Near Enemy
by Adam Sternbergh
The Secret Wisdom of the Earth
by Christopher Scotton
Station Eleven
by Emily St. John Mandel
The Magician's Lie
by Greer Macallister 
Non-Fiction:
88 Days to Kandahar: A CIA Diary
by Robert L. Grenier
The B Side: The Death of Tin Pan Alley and the Rebirth of the Great American Song
by Ben Yagoda
How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and
Why It Happens
by Benedict Carey
Marching Home: Union Veterans and Their Unending Civil War
by Brian Matthew Jordan
Resilience: Two Sisters and a Story
of Mental Illness
by Jessie Close
You Can't Make This Up: Miracles, Memories and the Perfect Marriage of Sports and Television
by Al Michaels
Do you have a book request or suggestion for Vanessa?
Email her at vmartin@greensburglibrary.org
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New in the Teen StudioStolen
Heart of Dread v. 2
by Melissa De La Cruz and
Michael Johnston
Twisted Fate
by Norah Olson
The Burning Shadow
Gods and Warriors v. 2
by Michelle Paver
Mortal Heart
The Fair Assassin v. 3
by Robin LaFevers
Crazy
by Kinda Vigen Phillips
Into the Still Blue
Veronica Rossi
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom:
My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March
by Lynda Blackmon Lowery
10 Ultimate Truths Girls
Should Know
by Kari Kampakis
Scratch Programming 2.0 for Teens
by Jerry Lee Ford, Jr.
Do you have a book request or program suggestion for
Teen Librarian, Lori Durbin?
Email her at ldurbin@greensburglibrary.org
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Friends of the Library
Romance Book Sale
February 9 - 14
The sale will be held on tables near
the check-out desk.
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As tax time approaches, staff at the Library get a lot of questions! While we can't answer specific questions like, "what form do I need" or "can I claim my goldfish as a dependent", we can steer you in the right direction on some basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the library getting more paper tax forms? Which tax forms is the library getting?
In short, we're not sure! We participate in the IRS Tax Forms Outlet Program, but recent cuts to IRS funding mean we will receive drastically fewer tax forms than we have in previous years. All we know for sure is that we will be receiving a very limited quantity of federal 1040, 1040A, and 1040-EZ forms, as well as state IT-40 and IT-40EZ forms. These forms are available on a first come, first serve basis, and we are unable to order more forms. The implication of this is that both the federal and state government are pushing harder than ever for taxpayers to file their taxes online.
How can I file taxes online?
The IRS and the Indiana Department of Revenue are partnered with tax software vendors to provide free access to their online tax software:
(Online Filing For Federal and State Taxes)
(Online Filing for Federal Taxes Only)
We highly recommend using Indiana Free File if you meet the requirements for at least one of the vendors, as it offers the ability to file both federal and Indiana taxes for free. You may use a library computer to file your taxes online, but please remember that the library cannot provide the answers to any tax related questions. For answers to common questions about online tax filing, please check out the
How can I get access to paper tax forms or instructions that the library does not have?
All federal and state tax forms are available online:
State Forms
You may print the forms and instructions at home or at the library. Black and white pages can be printed at the library for 10 cents per page. As a courtesy to our patrons, we can provide up to five pages of tax forms per patron for free.
Additionally, you can contact the IRS and request that forms be mailed to you by calling 1-800-829-3676.
State tax forms can be ordered by calling 317-615-2581 or sending an e-mail with your order to pfrequest@dor.in.gov.
How can I get help with my taxes?
There are a number of resources available for tax help. For questions about federal taxes, you can make use of the online IRS Interactive Tax Assistant. Individuals with specific questions can also contact the IRS by telephone at 1-800-829-1040 or 1-800-829-4059 (TTY/TDD) if hearing impaired.
Low-income tax filers or senior citizens may also be eligible for assistance through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) outlets. To find the nearest VITA or TCE outlet, visit the IRS tax help prep finder or the AARP tax-aide locator. This information is also available on our website
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Programs and Events
February is
Love Your Library Month!
Stop by to see how you can "love" your Library and sign up to win a cookbook! 
Make and Take Tuesday
Tuesday, February 10
All day
Family Movie Night
Tuesday, February 10
6:00 p.m. Join us for a family friendly movie based on the book by Judith Viorst,
Popcorn and lemonade will be provided. Please click here to register and here for movie information.
TeensMicrowave Mug Mania! Tuesday, February 24
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Learn to make a whole meal in mugs,
in the microwave!
Registration required - click here.
Adults
Knit Night
Tuesday, February 10
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Meeting for those interested in fiber crafts. Knitting, crochet, and all forms of needlework welcome! No registration required.
The next Library Board meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24 at 4:00 p.m. in the
conference room. The public is welcome
to attend.
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Someone is stealing the DVD's!
(Yes, really!)
Due to an ongoing problem with the theft
of movies, the Library has made a
change in policy.
Now, when choosing DVD's, you'll be asked to check those out at the circulation desk before continuing into other parts of the Library.
The shelving in the area has also been enclosed to help prevent theft.
We do realize that this is an inconvenience and offer our apologies.
We are working hard to keep movies available
for everyone!
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Did you ever wonder...?  Grave in the Middle of the Road When Nancy Kerlin Barnett died in 1831, her family had her buried in her favorite place on a small hill near the village of Amity overlooking Sugar Creek. A small cemetery was then formed in the area. When Camp Atterbury near Edinburgh was being built, several small cemeteries were uprooted and moved - all except for Nancy Barnett, whose son objected. Later, a bridge over Sugar Creek was being planned and this time a grandson came to Nancy's rescue, camping out with his shotgun and refusing to let her be disturbed. So, the county built the road around it and placed a concrete slab on top of the grave. It won't be moving now, because it was granted a historical marker in 1912.
Would you like to visit Nancy's grave? Here's the address for your GPS.
County Road 400 South
(just over a mile east of U.S. 31)
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CORNER
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Each month the newsletter highlights
events in our community that might
be of interest to you.
These are not Library events.
Please contact the appropriate people for more information.
The
Decatur County Family YMCA
is working to conduct a community needs assessment. We would like your input. To design services focused on the community, the Y would like to hear from the entire Decatur County and surrounding communities. Based on this community needs assessment, the Y, in partnership with others, will design and deliver new programs and services that address critical issues in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and
social responsibility.
Click here to take a short online survey. Survey responses are not individually tracked and are kept confidential. The assessment should take no more than five minutes to complete, and the results will be compiled into an executive summary that will be shared with our organization and others partnering with the Y in this effort. Survey deadline is February 13, 2015. Tree County Players Production
Love Letters
February 6 and 7, 2015
Hampton Inn
Phone: 812-212-7109
The story of a 50-year correspondence between Melissa Gardner and her childhood-friend-turned-love-interest, Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. Thanks to its simple staging, A. R. Gurney's play, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, has been performed in theater spaces all over the world. Put away your iPhone (at least for a minute!) to find out how a touching romance through old-fashioned pen and paper will blossom. Call Tree County Players for more information.
Dancing With the Stars
Feb. 19, 2015
7:00 p.m.
Aspen Place Health Campus.
2020 N. Montgomery Rd.
Aspen Place Health Campus presents this program to benefit Greensburg Meals on Wheels. $10 gets you in to watch area celebrities take to the dance floor while feasting on appetizers and a coffee and tea bar. Reserve your tickets early by calling Aspen Place Health Campus at 812-527-2222.
Songs in the City
February 27, 2015
Greensburg Junior High School
Phone: 812.663.8600
Revue of contemporary music by three tenors/soprano at the Greensburg Junior High School. Locally arranged and produced, the evening will feature performances by Angie Ballard (soprano), Scott Wildey (tenor), Jared Gaddis, (tenor) and Bill Rethlake (tenor) in a tribute to contemporary/traditional pop music.
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