New this month on DVD is Conviction directed by Tony Goldwyn. This is the true story of Betty Ann Waters and her struggle to free her brother, Kenny who is sentenced to life in prison for a crime he did not commit. The movie follows Betty Ann's 18 year journey to set Kenny free, as she completes her GED, graduates law and the complications of a new trial. This real life drama touches on the legal system, justice and the strength of a sister and brother love. With an all star cast and a great story the running time of 103 minutes should fly by. So grab some popcorn and enjoy.

On Thursday, February 10, President Obama will visit Marquette, Michigan, to discuss the benefits of expanding broadband internet access in the United States. In particular, the President is expected to offer praise for Northern Michigan University's 4G WiMax network, a new wireless technology that promises faster data speeds than most current cellular broadband networks. In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for a National Wireless Initiative which would expand high-speed wireless Internet access to 98 percent of Americans within five years.

Four quick things every citizen should know from Governor Rick Snyder's new Dollars & Sense: How State and Local Governments in Michigan Spend Your Money guide to the public's checkbook. State Treasurer Andy Dillon says Lansing is about to experience "shock therapy."

An Adult Services librarian walks us through our Tax Forms workstations and how easy it is to select and print IRS tax forms at Canton Public Library.

Free tax preparation is available for qualified Michigan residents at sites around the state. You can call 2-1-1 (1-800-552-1183 if 2-1-1 is unavailable in your area) for help locating the free tax site nearest you.

Beginning Tuesday, February 1 through April 12, 2011 Free Tax Counseling for Canton's Senior taxpayers with low to moderate income will be available at the Canton Senior Center in The Summit. Appointments for those qualifying for this service will be taken beginning January 11. Morning and afternoon appointments are available however joint returns scheduled for the afternoon must have both taxpayers available. Please call (734) 394-5485 to schedule an appointment.

Why does e=mc2: (and why should we care?) by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw

Going home to glory: a memoir of life with Dwight D.

The IRS and the Michigan Department of the Treasury have announced that they will no longer mail paper income tax packages to individual and business taxpayers. These tax packages contained the forms, schedules and instructions for filing a paper income tax return. They are taking this step because of the continued growth in electronic filing and the availability of free options to taxpayers, as well as to help reduce costs.

Because forms are so readily-available online, the Canton Public Library will severely limit the number of tax forms we provide in paper format and encourage patrons to print forms from the IRS and Michigan sites at home or in the library for a cost of $.10 per page. Instruction booklets will be provided for use in the library only.

For further information about forms you may contact:
Federal [website] or by phone at 1-800-829-3676 after January 10
State [website] or (517) 636-4486

Seniors have more affordable options for health coverage. At HealthCare.gov you can explore your coverage and pricing options viewing the vidcast at this site. Find out which private insurance plans, public programs, and community services are available to you. HealthCare.gov is a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services — 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. — Washington, D.C. 20201. (Image Credit: HealthCare.gov)

The start of the 2011 filing season will begin in January for the majority of taxpayers. However, last minute changes in the law mean that the IRS will need to reprogram its processing systems for three provisions that were extended in the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 that became law on Dec. 17. Only three specific categories of taxpayers are affected by this:

• Taxpayers claiming itemized deductions on Schedule A
• Taxpayers claiming the Higher Education Tuition and Fees Deduction
• Taxpayers claiming the Educator Expense Deduction

The IRS will announce a specific date in the near future when it can start processing tax returns impacted by the late tax law changes.

AARP’s “We Need to Talk” online seminar sponsored by The Hartford provides practical tips and advice on how to recognize when it’s time to limit or stop driving and how to discuss the topic with loved ones. AARP recommends you complete the three modules in sequence. Each takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and you will learn what value driving has to older adults, how to objectively assess driving skills, and how to discuss limiting and/or stopping to drive.

One of the results of the downturned economy is that more people than ever are representing themselves in law matters. These "self-represented litigants" often feel lost in a sea of information and are not sure where to begin. The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and the Self-Represented Litigation Network (SRLN) teamed to host "Public Libraries and Access to Justice" which provided lists of helpful resources which we have compiled into Law Resources. The resources include: where to find legal assistance, common legal citations and where to find them, information on different types of law including family, bankruptcy, landlord tenant, debtor and creditor, elder, immigration, foreclosure, social security, veterans, and wills and estate planning laws.

General Law Resources

• Legal Information Institute — features links to constitutions, statues, regulations and court opinions by jurisdiction
• Findlaw — includes sections for the layperson, legal topics and laws for 50 states
• Michigan Courts Self Help Center — includes information on court procedures and official court forms
• State Bar of Michigan Online Legal Help Center — contains links on sources for different topics in the law, finding a lawyer and researching Michigan law
• Michigan eLibrary (MeL) — information on courts, administrative decisions, finding legal assistance, legal resources, federal and multi-state legal resources, Michigan Legal resources, statutes and regulat

November 2, 2010 is election day, and Michigan residents face many decisions this year — including selecting a new Governor. Get prepared for Tuesday by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center. This site contains all your necessary information including polling locations and more. Don't forget to check out the League of Women Voters Guide which can be helpful in sorting through all the candidates and issues.

In 2006, a new political force emerged in Sweden: the Pirate Party, or Piratpartiet in Swedish. The party's platform focuses on copyright and patent issues, as well as personal privacy and government transparency. Unlike parties in the United States, the Swedish Pirate Party does not have a full platform of social and policy issues, instead sticking to its foundational principles.

People in the United States have attempted to form similar organizations, though the political structure of the U.S. is different.

• American Pirate Party on reddit
• United States Pirate Party

Below are some books about copyright, patents, privacy, and government transparency, as well as some information about prominent third parties in American History:

Copyright

The copyright handbook : how to protect & use written works by Stephen Fishman

The copyright book [electronic resource] : a practical guide by William S. Strong

The illustrated story of copyright by Edward Samuels

Copyright's highway : from Gutenberg to the celestial jukebox by Paul Goldstein

Freedom of expression® : overzealous copyright bozos and other enemies of creativity by Kembrew McLeod

Patents

Popular patents : America's first inventions from the airplane to the zipper by Travis Brown

How to make patent drawings yourself : a "Patent it yourself" companion by Jack Lo and David Pressman

Protecting your ideas : the inventor's guide to patents by Joy L. Bryant

Privacy

Code : and other laws of cyberspace by Lawrence Lessig

Database nation : the death of privacy in the 21st century by Simon Garfinkel

Griswold v. Connecticut : contraception and the right of privacy by Susan C. Wawrose

No place to hide by Robert O'Harrow, Jr

Privacy lost : how technology is endangering your privacy by David H. Holtzman ; foreword by Evan Bayh

Transparency

Tactical transparency : how leaders can leverage social media to maximize value and build their brand by Shel Holtz, John C. Havens ; foreword by Lynne D. Johnson

Transparency : how leaders create a culture of candor by Warren Bennis, Daniel Goleman, James O'Toole ; with Patricia Ward Biederman

The writer's legal guide : an authors guild desk reference by Tad Crawford and Kay Murray

Third Parties

Spoiling for a fight : third-party politics in America by Micah L. Sifry

Radicals for capitalism : a freewheeling history of the modern American libertarian movement by Brian Doherty

Mad as hell : how the Tea Party movement is fundamentally remaking our two-party system by Scott Rasmussen and Doug Schoen

1912 : Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft & Debs-- the election that changed the country by James Chace

Dear senator : a daughter's memoir by Essie Mae Washington-Williams and William Stadiem

Crashing the party : taking on the corporate government in an age of surrender by Ralph Nader

Medicare recipients who are eligible for what is being called the Donut Hole Rebate will be interested in the July 31, 2010 interview of Michigan Office of Services to the Aging director, Sharon L. Gire to explain eligibility for the Medicare Donut Hole rebate payment. Ms. Gire was interviewed by Laurel Hess, host of Comcast Newsmakers.

Comedy

The American president [videodisc] by Castle Rock Entertainment and Universal Pictures present a Wildwood Enterprises, Inc. production ; executive producers, Charles Newirth, Jeffrey Stott ; directed, produced by Rob Reiner ; written by Aaron Sorkin

Bob Roberts [videodisc] by Paramount Pictures presents with Miramax Films a Polygram/Working Title production in association with Barry Levinson and Mark Johnson and Artisan Entertainment ; a film by Tim Robbins

Bulworth [videodisc] by Twentieth Century Fox presents

We have been notified by Canton Township that the Detroit Water and Sewer Department (DWSD) will be performing emergency repairs to the DWSD meter pit at Warren and Napier roads on Friday, July 23, which will require the shutdown of a main water feed into Canton between 10:00am and 3:30pm. We have been advised that Northwest Canton will experience low water pressure during that time; water pressure within the library may be affected. Full water pressure will be restored once the repair has been completed.

Canton Supervisor Phil LaJoy is hosting a Senior Summit on Monday, September 13, at  Summit on the Park, from 9:00AM-2:00PM. Supervisor Phil LaJoy began this event when he was serving as a State Representative, and is now continuing it for Canton seniors.

The Senior Summit will feature a wide array of informational booths and presentations geared toward today’s senior. Also included are door prizes, a continental breakfast, lunch, bingo and a shredding truck. The event is free, however registration is required. To register, please call Canton Towhship offices at (734) 394-5185.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) today warned citizens about recent reports of scam artists contacting seniors in an attempt to obtain personal information by asking them to reveal Medicare, Social Security or bank account numbers, or pay a fee to receive a $250 Medicare rebate check.

The DHHS and OSA are urging Medicare beneficiaries not to provide personal information to anyone representing themselves as a "Medicare" or "government" worker if contacted by phone, mail, or in person in exchange for a $250 Medicare rebate check. These one-time rebates are automatically mailed to Medicare recipients when they reach the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap, also known as the 'donut hole.'

For further information, call the national Medicare office at (800) 633-4227. In Michigan, call MMAP at (800) 803-7174.