This Day In History: The Challenger Explodes on Liftoff

"The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them."--Ronald Reagan

Twenty-four years ago today, the space shuttle Challenger exploded on liftoff high over the Atlantic Ocean off of Cape Kennedy. All crew members on board, including teacher Christa McAuliffe, were killed in the accident. It was the first time American astronauts had been killed in flight, and it effectively shut down the space program for two years while its safety was investigated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The space program continues today in spite of and because of the sacrifices of the Challenger crew.

More Information:

Books About the Challenger Accident That Can Be Found in the Terrebonne Parish Library


President Reagan's Speech to the Nation Regarding the Challenger Accident


The Challenger Crew: Official NASA Biographies

Exciting Upcoming Programs

This week, the library is having two programs at the main branch which come at the perfect time of year. Wednesday at 6:30pm in the Large Meeting Room of the Main Library, there will be an identity theft program titled “Protect Your Identity: Be Yourself …Or Someone Else Will!” The program will teach you how to protect yourself from identity theft, which can be especially useful information to many of us during tax season. This hour-long presentation will be given by Margaret Burlew of the LSU Ag Center.



On Thursday at 6:00pm, the library will hold its 2010 Financial Aid Workshop. Presenters include the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance and the U.S. Military. Representatives of the Terrebonne Parish Library will discuss TOPS, private & military scholarships, filling out FAFSA, and test preparation strategies. As the end of the school year draws near, this program can help high school students get ready for the years to come. You can register for the program in advance by contacting the reference department at 985-876-1733, ext. 202.


For even more information on the topics mentioned above, feel free to explore some of these links:

FTC’s Identity Theft Website

The U.S. Dept. of Justice Identity Theft Website

Federal Student Aid

Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance

Haitian Relief: Don't Be Scammed

If it falls upon your conscience to donate money to help out in Haiti--Haiti, after all, has some complex and fascinating historical ties to Louisiana--below are some links that might make giving a bit easier without having your money end up in the pockets of some huckster:

Partners in Health/Zanmi Lasante--donate here.

American Red Cross--just click the "radio button" next to "Haiti relief."

It's possible to donate to the Red Cross via text; to donate to the Red Cross, text the word "Haiti" to the number 90999.

The International Committee of the Red Cross

United Nations World Food Programme

Yele Haiti--Haitian-born singer Wyclef Jean's organization.

To send $5, donors can text "Yele" to the number 501501.

Catholic Relief Services

If you or someone you know has family members in Haiti, you may be able to find out more by calling the U.S. State Department's Haiti Hotline at (888) 407-4747. Call volume has been heavy, so callers may hear a recorded message or end up on hold for a while.

VITA 2010

FREE TAX HELP FROM VOLUNTEERS

The Volunteer Income Tax Association will be at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library from Tuesday, February 2nd, through Tuesday, April 13th, to help you file your tax form at the following times:

Tuesdays: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

(NOTE: VITA will NOT be at the library on Saturday, April 10th or Tuesday, February 16th.)

This service is primarily for the elderly and low-income filers.

Those Wanting VITA Assistance Must Have:

- All W-2 and 1099 forms for 2009.

- Driver's license or other photo ID.

- Social Security cards for everyone in the household.

- Birth dates for everyone in the household.

- 1099-INT forms showing interest earned on bank accounts.

- The name, address and tax ID or Social Security number of child-care providers for child-care credits.

- 1099-G forms that show unemployment payments.

- SSA-1099 forms showing Social Security payments.

- Pay records from jury duty.

- W-2G forms for gambling or lottery winnings.

- Those who wish to have their tax refunds directly deposited into their checking accounts or payments to the IRS drawn directly from their accounts must bring a voided check that includes a routing number and bank-account number.

For more information about VITA, contact Jennifer Gaudet of Catholic Social Services at 985-876-0490.

Tax Forms 2009 Online...And At The Library

The IRS is kind enough to send out tax forms and instructions this time of year, guaranteeing that the merry highs of the holiday season are tempered somewhat by some sober reality.

You can pick up forms at any of our branches, or you can download and print PDFs of the forms from the IRS website. To make it easier, here is a link to the IRS Tax Form Index. Remember, "f" stands for "form", "i" stands for "instructions" and "p" stands for "publication."

And by the way, if you need any help from the IRS regarding ordering forms or filling your forms out, you can contact them by telephone at 1-800-829-1040.

Winds and Words of War

From now until March, the Terrebonne Parish Library's Main Branch at 151 Library Drive in Houma will host a travelling collection of 40 authentic World War One recruitment and propaganda posters. The collection, titled "The Winds and Words of War" will be housed on the first floor and features posters urging Americans of all stripes to "do their bit" to win the war. Included is the famous "I Want You" poster with Uncle Sam pointing directly at the viewer.

The Winds and Words of War, which premiered at the San Antonio Public Library, is made possible by the Stumberg Foundation, The Tobin Endowment, the City of San Antonio Veteran’s Affairs Commission, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Also, on Febrary 24th at 6:30 PM Trisha Dubina, a graphic design instructor at Nicholls State University will give a talk on "Early American Graphic Design." Ms. Dubina will give her presentation in the distance education classroom on the second floor of the Main Library.

Call Lauren Bordelon at 985-876-5158 ext. 234 for more information.