Important Library & Community Resources |
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Although our buildings are closed, our friendly staff are available
by phone at the Easton and St. Michaels branches
Easton: 410-822-1626 | St. Michaels: 410-745-5877
Monday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – noon & 3 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9 a.m. - noon & 2 – 5 p.m.
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Both branches of the library will be closed Wednesday morning, February 3, for a staff meeting. Books-to-Go pickups for Wednesday morning will still be available at the Easton library. The buildings will reopen for Books-to-Go at 2 p.m. |
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Tax Forms are now available
at the entrance of both branches.
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Talbot County COVID-19 Update
Effective January 18, 2021 we are in Vaccination Phase 1B. This phase includes those aged 75 and older, those in education (K-12) and child care, those in congregate housing facilities, those in continuity of government.
Due to inadequate vaccine doses allocated to Talbot County Health Department this week by the state government, we will be unable to proceed to Phase 1C this week as originally planned. We will continue to prioritize Phase 1B recipients for the time being. Please note the health department is only given 1-2 days notice of its vaccine allocation for the upcoming week.
Licensed child care workers who live or work in Talbot County are invited to complete a vaccination interest form. We are currently in Phase 1B of vaccine administration, and are scheduling vaccine appointments for child care workers. Please note: You WILL NOT receive an appointment after completing the survey. This is an interest form with the purpose of collecting contact information so that we can reach out when vaccine is available.
What's next? When vaccine appointments are available, you or your center will receive an email sign up link to register for vaccine appointments.
Talbot County residents aged 75 and older who are interested in receiving a COVID vaccine are invited to complete this form. THIS FORM IS NOT A REGISTRATION FOR A COVID VACCINE APPOINTMENT. It is a vaccine interest and contact information form. Please complete this form so the Health Department can contact you with instructions on how to register for a vaccine clinic when vaccine is available. Please complete a separate form for each person who is interested in receiving the vaccine and is 75+ years old.
What's Next? You can expect an email from the Talbot County Health Dept. confirming that your information has been received. You will additionally be contacted when vaccines become available with instructions on how to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated. Thank you.
Talbot County residents aged 65-74 years old who are interested in receiving a COVID vaccine are invited to complete this form. Please complete this form so the Health Department can contact you with instructions on how to register for a vaccine clinic when vaccine is available. Please complete a separate form for each person who is interested in receiving the vaccine and is 65-74 years old.
Talbot County is currently vaccinating healthcare workers who qualify for Phase 1A. Healthcare workers are defined as anyone who is licensed, certified, or registered with a healthcare professional board overseen by the Maryland Department of Health (https://health.maryland.gov/Pages/boards.ASPX). If you are a healthcare provider, please complete the form as soon as possible, and you will be emailed a link to register for an appointment.
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and fourth Tuesday of each month at noon to get the latest COVID-19
updates for business.
Call: 415-655-0002
Code: 471 585 551
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Sharing Our Memories
2nd & 4th Mondays, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Begins February 8, 2021 (ongoing)
If you have been thinking about writing your memoirs but don't know how or where to get started, this Zoom class is for you! During sessions, each participant will share their 500-word essay assigned during the prior session. Writing takes place at home, and stories will be read and discussed during class time. This ongoing course meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, 10:30 a.m. - noon, beginning February 8. To register, call the library at 410-822-1626 by January 31. Upon registration you will receive a Zoom invitation and the first writing assignment which will be read and discussed during the first session on February 8.
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The Day the Music Died: The Stars, the Tours, the Crash & the Aftermath
Wednesday, February 3, 7 p.m.
On February 3, 1959, rock & roll legends, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and “The Big Bopper” died violently in a frozen Iowa field. The event was the first tragedy of the rock & roll era and was later called “The Day the Music Died.” Learn about the final, fatal tour of the three stars and the fateful conditions, events and decisions that led to the tragedy. Hear about the surprising back story and curious facts about the Winter Dance Party Tour of 1959 and the musical legacies of the three stars. This behind-the-scenes look at “The Day the Music Died” tragedy will provide answers to many questions. What caused the tragedy? How did a half-dollar decide life or death? Why was Buddy Holly’s concert tour called “the tour from hell?” What controversy arose 50 years after the crash? What joking comment haunted a survivor for years? What future star received his big career opportunity as a result of the tragedy?
Joe Koper has been a fan of rock & roll since his youth and remembers, as a boy, hearing the news reports about “The Day the Music Died.” After serving in the U.S. Army and earning degrees from Gannon College and George Washington University, Joe’s career was in human resources management, followed by post-retirement “careers” as a landscape designer and crew member on the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry.
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Loyalty on the Line: Civil War Maryland in American Memory
Wednesday, February 3, 7:30 p.m.
A Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Event
The controversy surrounding the monuments and memory of Maryland’s Civil War legacy is not new. During the American Civil War, Maryland did not join the Confederacy but nonetheless possessed divided loyalties and sentiments. Snow College Assistant Professor David Graham examines the place of Maryland in Civil War memory, and how that legacy has hinged on interpretations of the state's loyalty.
This session is part of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's Winter Speaker Series, which considers how we remember the past, unpacking stories of Chesapeake history with a focus on what our understanding of the past means for our future. This series will take place virtually via Zoom. Click here to register.
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Library Guy Bill Peak to Offer Zoom Tutorial
Friday, February 5, 2 p.m.
If you have a computer with a camera, you can use Zoom to hold meetings, speak with friends, and get together with family – all face-to-face on-camera – from the safety of your home or office and without any risk from COVID. On Friday afternoon, February 5, 2 p.m., Bill Peak, Talbot County’s Library Guy, will again offer his popular session on how to use Zoom. Join Peak for this 20-minute interactive lesson for beginners by clicking on the link below and typing in the passcode 778760. https://marylandlibraries.zoom.us/j/92350361739
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Herbal Healing
Wednesday, February 10, 2 p.m. via Zoom
A Worcester County Library Event
Join certified Therapeutic Herbalist Michaela Eggers for an exploration in plant medicine. Learn how to turn your kitchen into a space of healing for common ailments and preventive care using the ancient wisdom of medicinal herbs. Register here: https://worcesterlibrary.libcal.com/
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Betty Crocker & the Cookbook that Changed How America Cooks
Wednesday, February 10, 7 p.m.
A Harford County Public Library Event
This fun illustrated lecture by historian Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., looks at how Betty Crocker was invented, why the cookbook has endured, and what makes the idea of Betty Crocker so iconic. Created in 1921 by a flour company, “Betty Crocker” became the most famous and most trusted advisor to American cooks. In 1950, this fictional character’s brand-new Picture Cook Book hit shelves, with sales that rivaled that of another big book, "The Bible," and, to date, it has sold more than 75 million copies. This event will be presented virtually on ZOOM. Registration is free and required. Secure your spot today by clicking here. A valid email address is needed at registration and once registered, you will receive a confirmation email from ZOOM containing the link and your unique password to this event.
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Zumba for Beginners
Thursdays, February 11, 18, and 25, 2 p.m. via Zoom
A Worcester County Library Event
Join certified Zumba instructor Joyce Landsman for an hour of Zumba. Stressed? Feeling down? These classes uplift and improve mood. This is a webinar style program, meaning you can practice your moves without being seen.
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Love, Jane Austen
Sunday, February 14, 2 p.m.
A Calvert Library Event
Valentine's Day during the time of Covid is much like a Jane Austen novel. As we lead our quiet, domestic lives, we inquire regularly on each other's health and we take brisk walks followed by a cup of tea! Sound familiar? If you are a Jane Austen fan, or want to be, join in for a fun discussion of her works and her lasting impact. Book and movie recommendations will be included. Register here: https://calvertlibrary.libnet.info/event/4777750
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Black Representation Matters
Saturday, February 20, 2 pm.
An Anne Arundel County Public Library Event
Are you looking for ways to celebrate Black authors and their books during Black History Month and year-round? This session will explore why Black representation in books matters, share tips for having courageous conversations about race with young children, and offer recommendations of board books, picture books, and early chapter books. Registration for this event will be open from February 6, 2021 @ 9:00am to February 20, 2021 @ 2:00pm: https://aacpl.librarycalendar.com/events/black-representation-matters
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Thursday, February 25, 5 p.m.
A Talbot County Master Gardener Program
Join Talbot County Master Gardener volunteer Mikaela Boley for a free virtual screening of SEED: The Untold Story as we explore the importance of seeds, preservation of biodiversity, and the impacts on our environment. The film will be followed by discussion and participant Q&A as we discuss highlights from the film.
Few things on Earth are as miraculous and vital as seeds. Worshipped and treasured since the dawn of humankind. In the last century, 94% of our seed varieties have disappeared. SEED: The Untold Story follows passionate seed keepers protecting our 12,000 year-old food legacy.
Mikeala will also answer questions regarding the Talbot County Free Seed Library, a community resource in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library. Through our seed library, we offer additional programs, information, and a free source of seeds for home gardens. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Only 200 participants. Register here: https://go.umd.edu/seedfilm
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John Shields Warm, Winter Cooking Demo
Thursday, February 25, 7 p.m.
A Harford County Public Library Event
Join us for a warm, winter Cooking Demo with Chef John, an absolute Harford County favorite, chef, author, television personality, and owner of the celebrated Gertrude's Restaurant at the Baltimore Museum of Art. He'll prepare two dishes - Alva Crockett's Tangier Island 50 Clam Chowder (from Chesapeake Bay Cooking with John Shields) and an Apple Crepe Cake (from The New Chesapeake Kitchen). John is often called "The Culinary Ambassador of the Chesapeake Bay," and he has written four popular cookbooks on the cuisine of the region. You won't want to miss out on this fun and engaging evening! Recipes for this free event will be included in the registration confirmation email.
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Seeds Packets Available at Easton Branch
If you're ready to get started sprouting seeds for your garden, you're in luck! A variety of seed packets from our Seed Library will be available at the front entrance of the Easton branch beginning Monday, February 1.
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Mark Your Calendar!
2021 Easton Book Group Picks
Check out the Easton Book Group's selections for 2021 and join us each month for a lively discussion. Open to all! To register, email Susan Sherman at susancs@goeaston.net.
The Water Dancer, Ta-Nehisi Coates – February 15
The Plague, Albert Camus – March 15
Chesapeake Requiem, Earl Swift – April 19
Dept. of Speculation, Jenny Offill – May 17
Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud and the Last Trial of Harper Lee, Casey Cep – June 21
The Lying Life of Adults, Elana Elena Ferrante – July 19
Olive, Again, Elizabeth Strout – August 16
Maryland One Book (to be announced) – September 20
The Passion of Artemesia, Susan Vreeland – October 18
The Dutch House, Ann Patchett – November15
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World Read Aloud Day
February 3, noon
Join Youth Services Librarian Laura Powell as she reads aloud the first chapter of J.K. Rowling's new book The Ickabog on Facebook. If you're interested in reading the entire book, copies can be borrowed through our online catalog!
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Teen Journaling via Zoom
Wednesday, February 3 and 17, 1 p.m.
Want to try journaling, but not sure how to start? Join Ms. Laura for talking and writing fun! Inspired by the book, Journal Sparks by Emily Neuburger. Register here.
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Mindful Start Kids Yoga
February 4th, 10 a.m. (1st Thursday of the month)
Mindful movement for young children on Facebook. Recommended for families with children under age 5. Past programs can be found here!
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Story Time
Tuesday, February 9, 16, 23, – 10 a.m.
Thursday, February 11, 18, 25 – 10 a.m.
Stories, songs and rhymes for families with young children.
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TCFL Chess Academy: Phases of the Game
Join Mr. Labala for this next lesson in the series of chess tutorials on YouTube. For prior lessons, click here. |
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Kid’s Winter/Valentine Art Collage Kit-to-Go
Looking for a fun indoors activity to keep the family busy during cold winter days? Stop by our Easton or St. Michaels location and pick up a Kid’s Winter/Valentine Art Collage Kit-to-Go!
Included in each kit are items to be collaged (paper to make cards and bookmarks, large felt & foam shapes), along with materials to be glued (various tissue papers, fiber yarns, pom-poms, small foam shapes, & stickers). A glue stick, pencils, & crayons are also included. Please use adult supervision with young children. Includes enough materials for the entire family, so one per family please.
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2021 Literacy Activity Calendar Available
The Maryland Day by Day Family Literacy Activity Calendar provides your family with daily activities to do together to develop a love of reading and learning. The calendar was created by the Maryland State Library with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Click here to get started!
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No In-Person Tax Appointments at Library Branches
Mid-Shore AARP Tax-Aide Suspends in-Person Tax Preparation
The Mid-Shore branch of the AARP Tax-Aide program, which provides free Federal and State tax-preparation services to taxpayers in Kent, Queen Anne, Talbot, and Caroline Counties, announced that it is suspending in-person tax services for the 2020 tax season, which begins on February 1, 2021.
“We are greatly saddened to take this step,” said District Coordinator Jeff Haertlein of Easton. “We know how much taxpayers on the Mid-Shore have come to rely on our services; but the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic simply will not allow us to open our tax preparation sites safely for our clients and our volunteers.”
“We wanted to make this announcement early enough that taxpayers can find other means of preparing their taxes,” Haertlein said. “AARP is still committed to providing tax-preparation assistance, but that aid will have to be online and virtual.”
Haertlein explained that there will be two forms of assistance available through the AARP website, www.aarp.org. Both methods, Contactless and Self Preparation, will be free to the taxpayer and will be available beginning in early February 2021. It is suggested you check www.aarp.org for updates on the other forms of assistance at that time.
Contactless: Taxpayers interact with Tax-Aid’s IRS-certified tax counselors online or by phone and exchange documents electronically.
Self-preparation: Tax-Aide provides taxpayers with free access to software so they can prepare their own taxes. Taxpayers can also request help from an IRS- certified counselor to coach them through the process by phone or through computer screen-sharing.
As to the future, Haertlein said that “if conditions permit a return to in-person tax preparation this year, AARP Tax-Aide will announce how and where assistance will be available and we certainly hope to be back in full swing a year from now for the 2021 tax season.”
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