Are you interested in volunteering your time to help others in your community, while learning more about filing taxes? Each year, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) provides assistance to thousands of tax-filers in need, including seniors, low-income families, people with disabilities, and new Canadians.

Clinics are set up to accommodate the volunteers time and run at both Northview and McLaughlin Locations. Each volunteer must attend a free training session(s) with Revenue Canada. Please contact Jennifer Goodman at jgoodman@oshawalibrary.on.ca if you would like to volunteer for the 2010 Oshawa Public Library Tax Clinics.

We're back from the holidays at Oshawa Public Libraries. Library users can once again visit their nearest branch during usual library hours. However, please be aware that all branches will close for the New Years Day holiday, Friday January 1st, 2010. Otherwise, we'll see you at OPL.

The Battle of the Bands will be returning to Oshawa Public Libraries this coming spring. Groups are invited to compete to be declared victor in one of three categories. Images from and winners for last year's battle can be found here. Read the brochure and rules for this year's battle, then fill out and submit a registration form by February 28, 2010. We hope to see you there. The Library gratefully acknowledges the support of the Friends of the Library, Wellcraft Music Studios, and Long & McQuade Musical Instruments.

Please join the library for this extra special story time series, now available on YouTube! Our Oshawa Generals, along with local heroes and celebrities will be reading a selection of wonderful stories just for you. And now, even if you can't join us in person, you can tune in on the web. Refreshments will be served, along with great prizes to be won. Storytimes will begin at 10am, running through February 2010. Family programme - all ages welcome.

Our full schedule of Read, Dream & Achieve guests is provided below:

At Oshawa Public Libraries, we've noticed an increasing number of readers who prefer to read Large Print books. We consequently offer many popular titles in large print as well as their standard type editions. And now, Large Print texts also have a presence in our French collection. Find them on the shelf marked Grands caractères - Large Print, just inside the McLaughlin Room door, to the right.

Due to the upcoming renovation of the main floor of the South End of the McLaughlin Branch it will be necessary to temporarily relocate some reference services and a part of the collection to the McLaughlin Auditorium to provide a continuance of service. As a result, the McLaughlin Auditorium will be unavailable for programming from April 1st to July 31st, 2010.

We are pleased to partner with The Oshawa Community Museum and editor Y. A. Bennett to present the book launch for Kiss the Kids for Dad: The Wartime Letters of George Timmins. The book launch and presentation will take place in the McLaughlin Branch auditorium on Tuesday November 17, 2009 at 1pm. No registration is required. Books will be available for purchase and Professor Bennett will be on hand to sign copies. For more information, visit this release on Facebook.

On Saturday, November 28 from 10:00am to 4:00pm, help us pass the reading torch along to the next reader by signing up to read in our special reading relay chair! Prizes for everyone who participates! Ages birth to 18 (pre-readers must read with an adult). To register for a 5 to 30 minute time-slot, please call or visit Northview Branch or McLaughlin Branch, Children’s Services.

On Saturday November 21st, the White Pine Dancers will visit the library for a one time only exclusive special engagement! Celebrate the 2010 Olympics in style by welcoming the award winning and visually stunning dance troupe the Gonrah Degohwah White Pine Dancers to the Library! Experience the magic of First Nations History through dance and song! Family programme. Free registration at any branch.

After the tree lighting ceremony in Memorial Park on Thursday November 19th, come and warm up at the Library, with live entertainment from the Bruce Gorrie Trio and free refreshments! There will be coffee, juice and homemade cookies from Aunt Audrey’s Favourites Cakes & Desserts. No registration required.