All Brookline Libraries will be CLOSED Tuesday, July 15th for Staff Planning Day

Tax Aid Resources 2021

We know your tax season might look a little different this year. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of local and national tax prep resources to help you along the way!

To Request Tax forms

Visit the IRS website for printable forms and schedules. Learn more about our free contactless printing services.
Call their local offices at 781-835-4350 or 617-316-2850.

Tax Aid Resources


ABCD Tax Assistance


Contact: 617-348-6000
Services: Remote Support


AARP


Contact: 888-227-7669
Services: Remote Support, Self-Preparation


Boston Tax Help Coalition


Contact: FreeTaxHelp@boston.gov
Services: Remote Support


Greater Boston Legal Services


Contact: 617-371-1234
Services: Remote Support


IRS Free File


Services: Remote Support, Self Preparation


Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School LITC


Contact: 866-738-8081
Services: Remote Support


Taxpayer Advocate Service


Contact: 877-777-4778
Services: Remote Support

Black History Month: Histories



Black History Month: Histories

We are celebrating Black History Month with weekly reading recommendation lists throughout February! This week we’re highlighting books about Black history for readers of all ages. Check out this week’s recommendations, or browse through our lists from previous weeks. Each book is available through the Minuteman Library Network. All you need is your library card!

Read

Black History Month: Histories — books, movies, and more which examine the history of Black people and their lives, including but not limited to Black Americans.


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Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire list of Black History Month: Histories recommendations. For more personalized recommendations, fill out our recommendation form.

Black History Month: Biography and Memoir

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror



Black History Month: SciFi, Fantasy, and Horror

We are celebrating Black History Month with weekly reading recommendation lists throughout February. This list features works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror by Black authors for readers of all ages.

Read

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror — books, movies, and more by Black creators with elements of science fiction, fantasy, or horror


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Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire list of Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror recommendations. For more personalized recommendations, fill out our recommendation form.

Black History Month: Biography and Memoir

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance

Black History Month: Histories

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance



Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance

We are celebrating Black History Month with weekly reading recommendation lists throughout February. This list features books about friendship, family, and romance for readers of all ages. Each book is available through the Minuteman Library Network. All you need is your library card!

Read

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance — books by or Black creators which celebrate friendship, family, and romance


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Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire list of Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance recommendations. For more personalized recommendations, fill out our recommendation form.

Black History Month: Biography and Memoir

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

Black History Month: Histories

Black History Month: Biography and Memoir



Black History Month: Biography and Memoir

We are celebrating Black History Month with weekly reading recommendation lists throughout February. This list features biographies and memoirs for readers of all ages. Each book is available through the Minuteman Library Network. All you need is your library card!

Read

Black Creators: Biography and Memoir — books by or about Black creators and their lives


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Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire list of Black History Month: Biography and Memoir recommendations. For more personalized recommendations, fill out our recommendation form.

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

Black History Month: Histories

Black History Month: Reading Recommendations

 

We are celebrating Black History Month with weekly reading recommendations throughout February! Check back each Monday for a new list of great books, comics, and more by Black authors. Each list contains recommendations for adults, teens, tweens, and kids in all different genres. To check out a list, simply click on the banner image below.

All of the books and movies listed here are available through the Library. Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Fill out our recommendation form.

Black History Month: Biography and Memoir

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

Black History Month: Histories

Staff Favorites from 2020



Staff Favorites from 2020

We are celebrating the great books, comics, movies, shows, and games that came out in 2020. This was a difficult year, to say the least, and we are thankful for the art that provided escape and enrichment. Check out our compilation of 2020 titles that librarians loved. We have recommendations for adults, teens, tweens, and kids in all different genres, from bestsellers to hidden gems.

All of the books and films listed here are available through the Library. Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire resource list OR, for more personalized suggestions, fill out our recommendation form.

Read

Here are of our favorites we read in 2020. Click on a box below to expand the list of items


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Watch

Here are a few of our favorite movies and TV shows we binged in 2020. Click on a box to expand the selection list.


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Chromebooks, Museum Passes, and More!

We’re excited to announce three new and returning items that you can now reserve for contactless pickup at the Library:

Chromebooks

You can now check out a Chromebook for two weeks! These simple laptop computers let you browse the internet, participate in web conferences / video meetings, do word processing, etc. You do need a WiFi connection to make Chromebooks work, so if you don’t have easy access to that it might be worth requesting a WiFi hotspot at the same time.

Launchpads

You can now check out a Launchpad for two weeks, too! Launchpads are preloaded tablets with content for kids, full of games and videos covering topics from literacy to dinosaurs to cooking, and more. There is no download time and no WiFi connection needed.

Museum Passes

Many of our museum passes are back! We are thrilled to be able to offer some of our most popular passes again.

Many museums now require advanced tickets as well as passes, so make sure you check the museum’s ticketing process before you go.

Easy Reader Surprise!

The Library is excited to announce our new Easy Reader Surprise service!

The Library is excited to announce another children’s book surprise bundle- Easy Readers! Starting Monday, November 30, you will be able to pick up a surprise bundle of 10 easy readers from any Library location. No reservations necessary! 

Read on for more information on both our Easy Reader and Picture Book Surprise services!


Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a Picture Book Surprise? 

Visit any PLB location and ask the staff member at the door for a Picture Book Surprise bundle. A staff member will check it out to your library account and you’ll be on your way! You do not need to call ahead or request a bundle in advance- all bundles are available completely on demand. If you have items on hold that are ready for pickup, you will also be able to retrieve those in the same trip.

What is included in a Picture Book Surprise?

The Library’s Picture Book Surprise will include a bundle of 10 Children’s picture books and board books. Bundles are not packaged with different themes or topics in mind, but rather are a small selection of quality or popular children’s books great for any reader! 

How do I get an Easy Reader Surprise?
Visit any Library location and ask the staff member at the door for an Easy Reader Surprise bundle. A staff member will check it out to your library account and you’ll be on your way! You do not need to call ahead or request a bundle in advance- all bundles are available completely on-demand. If you have items on hold that are ready for pickup, you will also be able to retrieve those in the same trip.

What is included in an Easy Reader Surprise?
The Library’s Easy Reader Surprise will include a bundle of 10 children’s introductory reading materials, called Easy Readers. A common example of this type of children’s book is the Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems. Bundles are not packaged with different themes or reading levels in mind, but rather are a small selection of quality or popular children’s books great for beginning readers!

What if I don’t like a book in my surprise bundle, or I’ve already read it?

If you do not wish to take home one or more items in your surprise bundle, please return them through the book drop outside any Public Library of Brookline location. 

When is the surprise bundle due back to the Library?

Please note that the Library has reverted to regular loan periods; new books will be due two weeks from their checkout date and non-new books will be due four weeks from their checkout date. For the full list of loan periods, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Can I request that my surprise bundle include certain titles, or have a certain theme?

At this time, we are unable to create custom bundles which include specific titles or are based around specific themes/topics. If you are interested in receiving custom book recommendations from your trusted library staff, please fill out our BRK Recs form. Or, visit our Browse Our Collections page to find curated, catalog searches for new items that you can request online.

Can I get more than one surprise bundle at a time?
At this time, patrons are limited to one surprise bundle per type, per day, in order to ensure that the service is available to as many members of our community as possible. This means that you may request one Picture Book surprise bundle and one Easy Reader Surprise in the same visit, but not two Easy Reader Surprises, or two Picture Book Surprises.

Indigenous Peoples Day Reading List



Indigenous Peoples Day Reading List

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, we are celebrating works by Indigenous writers and artists. Check out these books and movies for all ages, in a variety of genres. You’ll find recommendations for fiction and nonfiction, picture books, poetry, and more, with a focus on works by contemporary creators.

All of the books and films listed here are available through the Library. Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire resource list OR, for more personalized suggestions, fill out our recommendation form.

Read

Here are some relevant titles to read. Click on a box below to expand the list of items


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Watch

Here are a few documentaries to check out. Click on a box to expand the selection list.


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