Odum Library Blog

As the start of the VSU academic year approaches, it’s time to consider ways to help your move to the area go smoothly.

Georgia.gov, the official web site of the state of Georgia, gives information on relocating to Georgia, such as getting your new driver’s license, registering your car, and enrolling children in a new school.  More information about living in Georgia, from history to the lottery to voting, is available at Georgia.gov’s Popular Topics page.

USA.gov offers additional tips for moving, including finding a reputable moving company and deducting moving expenses from your taxes.

The City of Valdosta has a page of local information especially useful for new residents, including garbage pickup, school enrollment, and utility service.  If you’re a county resident, you can find similar newcomers’ information about Lowndes County.

Of course, Odum Library’s Reference librarians are happy to help with local inquiries and all other information needs. Contact us by dropping by the second floor reference desk, by calling 229-333-7149, or by using our Live Chat service. For government information queries, feel free to contact the Government Documents librarian at 229-245-3745.

Welcome to South Georgia!

For Independence Day, Odum Library will close at 5 pm, Thursday, July 3rd and reopen at 9 am on Saturday, July 5th.

Along with the customary holiday festivities, you might enjoy these activities and facts for July 4th:

• USA.gov provides an array of information about the United States flag–its history, care, presentation, for instance. You can even request to own a flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol.
• Take a fresh look at the Declaration of Independence and other documents important to the history of the United States.
• Listen to John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever, courtesy of the American Memory Project from the Library of Congress.
• Join the National Mall Independence Day Celebration if you’ll be in the Washington, DC, area for the 4th, or find special events at other national parks across the country.

Once you’re done observing your holiday, remember that Odum Library, as a member of the Federal Depository Library Program, is a rich resource for government information and publications available for all members of the community, not just VSU staff and students. Come see the government documents collection on Odum Library’s second floor,  explore our online resources, and seek help from our dedicated librarians!

Whether you’re headed to VSU as a new student or returning here this fall, it’s time to investigate available student financial aid resources.  VSU’s Financial Aid Office is the local clearinghouse for information about applying for and receiving student aid.

In particular, any student seeking financial aid must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid) as early as possible, but at VSU no later than June 1st for Fall 2014 financial assistance. Find out more about the types of student aid and more at Studentaid.gov.

If you’re still investigating college opportunities, the U.S. Department of Education offers a free College Navigator to help you research colleges and universities in the United States. Of course, we hope you’ll use the navigator to search for Valdosta State University and find detailed information about admissions, programs of study, how many students receive financial aid, and more!

True, one of spring’s most dreaded chores is filing taxes.  Here at Odum Library, we can’t help you prepare your taxes, but we can at least help you obtain the information you need.

Federal forms are available at these links from irs.gov:

• The IRS’s Forms and Publications page offers links to the most popular forms, which are also available in accessible versions.  A link to the entire list of forms is available at the bottom of the forms page.

• Need instructions and tax tables?  Both are also available on the Forms and Publications page.

Odum Library also has copies of the most popular forms, instructions, and schedules, located in the Government Documents section of the Reference Area, on the library’s south side 2nd floor.

Georgia forms are a different matter this year.  Unfortunately, libraries were not provided with copies from the state, so we do not have Georgia tax forms available.  Here are ways to get copies:

• The most popular forms and instructions, including the most often used Form 500 Individual Tax Reform booklet, are available from the Georgia Department of Revenue web site.

• Georgia also has entered into a Free File Alliance with software vendors, allowing state residents to use tax preparation software at free or reduced rates in order to file electronically.

• If you prefer, you can request State of Georgia tax forms by calling the forms order line at 1-877-423-6711, option #2, then option #6.

In addition, tax forms from all 50 states are available courtesy of the Federation of Tax Administrators.

If you are seeking free assistance preparing your taxes, you can consult these Valdosta community resources:

1. Senior Citizens Center
1360 E. Park Avenue
Every Tuesday from 9-4, starting Feb. 4th
Age 50 and over, only
Call for appointment: 259-5469

2. Trinity Presbyterian Church
3501 Bemiss Rd./North Oak St. Ext.
Thursdays, 9-4, starting  Feb. 6th

3. IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
For individuals who make $50,000 and less
Call 1-888-227-7669 for locations and times.

The Odum Library is proud to present another wonderful Art in Odum event on Monday, March 31. We will be opening two galleries and welcoming a guest speaker, Amalia Amaki. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided.

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Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 9th, so be sure to set your clocks forward an hour to be on time!

What is the history of Daylight Savings Time?  Does every area observe daylight savings time?  Who decides on time zones? Learn the answers to these questions and more from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The NIST’s Physical Measurement Laboratory develops standards for and distributes time and other measures such as temperature, length, mass, and frequency. Find out the official time at Time.gov!

Valdosta State University will join the Valdosta Tree Commission to host the annual Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation Friday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. in the Pinetum at Odum Library.

There will be multiple recognitions made during the ceremony by the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Valdosta City Tree Commission annual tree planting and preservation awards. VSU will receive its second designation as Tree Campus USA, one of nine Georgia universities to have this designation. Dr. Bradley Bergstrom, professor of biology at VSU, will speak about the university’s Pinetum and opportunities to use the area as a learning hub. Hulyn Smith, instrumental in the formation of the community partnership to restore the campus Camellia trail and a Valdosta Camellia Society member, will be recognized posthumously. A tree will be planted at the event as well.

While the Arbor Day ceremony is outside the library at 10 am on Friday, Feb. 21, do remember that there is ample material within the library to learn more about Arbor Day, pines or trees.

February is American Heart Month, designated to encourage awareness of the importance of heart health. Read President Obama’s 2014 proclamation of this observance.

Healthfinder.gov offers a helpful toolkit that gives strategies for improving heart health.

Another useful government resource is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which features information about recognizing a heart attack and making choices that can improve the condition of your heart, cholesterol count, arteries, and other vital functions.  See especially the CDC’s 28 Days to a Healthier Heart tips.

Image courtesy CDC

Looking for a unique Valentine’s Day present this year?  Why not participate in the Million Hearts Initiative, which suggests making the gift of a pledge for healthier living.

Be sure to check out Odum Library’s American Heart Month exhibit featuring more heart healthy displays, books, and other resources, located on the north side of the library first floor.

Due to potentially hazardous weather conditions, the library was closed at 8:00 pm, Tuesday, January 28.  Wednesday, January 29 and Thursday, January 30, the library will be open from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm with reduced services.  The library will reopen at 8:00 am for normal operating hours Friday, January 31.

Please continue to monitor campus announcements and updates at: http://www.valdosta.edu/