Tax Forms and Free Tax Preparation in Dubuque in 2024

Updated: January 5, 2024

Tax Forms & Printing at Carnegie-Stout Public Library

The Iowa Department of Revenue is not distributing paper tax instruction booklets through Carnegie-Stout Public Library this year, and the selection from the IRS is very limited.

Library staff can help you find tax forms and instructions on the Internet and print them for 10 cents per side of a sheet. For more info call Carnegie-Stout Public Library at 563-589-4225 and ask for the Reference Desk.

Iowa Tax Forms

Iowa tax forms are available online at tax.iowa.gov/forms.

Help with Iowa forms and tax questions is available by calling 515-281-3114 or 800-367-3388.

Federal Tax Forms

Federal tax forms and instructions are available online at www.irs.gov/forms-instructions.

You can order free forms to be delivered to you by mail at www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/forms-and-publications-by-us-mail or by calling 800-829-3676.

Tax help is available by calling 800-829-1040. According to the IRS, live phone assistance is extremely limited at this time.

Free Tax Preparation in Dubuque

HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program) at hacap.org/taxes provides free and confidential tax preparation for individuals with low to moderate incomes. For details, please call HACAP in Dubuque at 563-556-5130 or send an email to taxes@hacap.org.

Nine Self Help Advice Books

We've gathered together nine of our newer self-help books below. Check them out!

Hope, Make, Heal: 20 crafts to mend the heart by Maya Pagan Donenfeld
(745.5 DON) For maker and artist Maya Donenfeld, when faced with the trauma of a sudden and unexpected ending to her marriage of sixteen years, she yearned to find something that would allow her to focus and channel her powerful flood of emotions into something she could see and touch. Knowing that busy hands can profoundly nurture the heart and quiet the mind, she began making beautiful and expressive objects that were simple, intentional, and most of all, meaningful.

F**k It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way by John Parkin
(158.1 PAR)  In this inspiring and humorous book, John C. Parkin suggests that saying F**k It is the perfect Western expression of the Eastern spiritual ideas of letting go, giving up, and finding real freedom by realizing that things don't matter so much (if at all). It's a spiritual way that doesn't require chanting, meditating, or wearing sandals. And it's the very power of this profanity that makes it perfect for shaking us Westerners out of the stress and anxiety that dominate our daily lives.

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
(158.1 DUC) Why do some people succeed and others fail? Sharing new insights from her landmark research on grit, MacArthur "genius" Angela Duckworth explains why talent is hardly a guarantor of success. Rather, other factors can be even more crucial such as identifying our passions and following through on our commitments.

Stop Caring What Others Think: How to Stop Worrying About What People Think of You by James Umber
(158.2 UMB) Do you constantly find yourself worrying about how other people see you? In this book, life coach James Umber asks the question "Why do we let other people's opinions have so much power and control over us?" He will not only tell you an incredibly simple and hugely effective tip that you can implement from day one, he also looks at the reasoning hidden behind our thought processes.

Feel the Fear-- and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
(152.46 JEF) Are you afraid of making decisions? Whatever your fear, here is your chance to push through it once and for all. In this enduring guide to self-empowerment, Dr. Susan Jeffers inspires us with dynamic techniques and profound concepts that have helped countless people grab hold of their fears and move forward with their lives.

Level Up Your Life: How to Unlock Adventure and Happiness by Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story by Steve Kamb
(158.1 KAM) For the past 5 years, Steve Kamb has transformed himself from wanna-be daydreamer into a real-life superhero and actually turned his life into a gigantic video game: flying stunt planes in New Zealand, gambling in a tuxedo at the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and even finding Nemo on the GreatBarrier Reef. To help him accomplish all of these goals, he built a system that allowed him to complete quests, take on boss battles, earn experience points, and literally level up his life.

The Little Book of Big Change: The No-Willpower Approach to Breaking Any Habit by Amy Johnson
(153.85 JOH) It's not you--it's just the way you're wired. That's the message psychologist Amy Johnson tells readers with bad habits in her unique guide, The Little Book of Big Change. Drawing on a powerful combination of neuroscience and spirituality, this book shows readers that they are not their habits. Rather, their habits and addictions are the result of simple brain wiring that is easily reversed. By learning to stop bad habits at the source, readers will take charge of their habits and addictions--once and for all

Fighting Mad: Practical Solutions for Conquering Anger by Ray Guarendi
(152.47 GUA) We all struggle with situations where we experience feelings of anger. Most of the time anger and its causes are well within our control; conquering those angry impulses are in our control, too. Guarendi cuts through psychobabble to present a realistic picture of anger and other emotional issues, and then offers practical solutions for overcoming them. Most of the time anger and its causes are well within our control; conquering those angry impulses are in our control, too.

The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by James Loehr & Tony Schwartz
(158.1 LOE) We live in digital time. Our pace is rushed, rapid-fire, and relentless. Facing crushing workloads, we try to cram as much as possible into every day. We're wired up, but we're melting down. Time management is no longer a viable solution. As bestselling authors Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz demonstrate in this groundbreaking book, managing energy, not time, is the key to enduring high performance as well as to health, happiness, and life balance.

Book Tips for Travelers

Travel brings with it a change in your daily routine. Whether you're on the road for fun or for business, you're bound to have at least a little free time, which, if you're a book lover, translates to reading time. As a lover of both books and travel, I thought I'd share some of the tips I've learned over the years for the upcoming summer travel season.

 Switch it up! Tackle your To Be Read list

• A vacation is a great time to read a book you wouldn't usually, whether it's the sort of serious reading that demands extra attention or something light and fluffy you'd otherwise feel guilty taking time off to read.

Busy schedule? Try short stories

• Short story collections are great for when you'll only have 30-minutes or so at a time to read between everything else because you can usually read an entire story in that time!
• Added bonus, an anthology will let you sample multiple authors to see if you'd like to read their full-length novels when you have more free time.

eBooks: the easiest way to bring the entire library with you

• Already on the road? Our OverDrive collection of eBooks and downloadable audiobooks are available anywhere you have internet access.

Audiobooks: the only way to read a book while you're driving a car

• MP3 audiobooks let you listen to an entire 12+ hour audiobook on only two discs.
• In addition to our OverDrive collection, we have even more downloadable audiobooks available through One Click Digital.

Paper Books: the only books you don't have to stop reading during take-off and landing

• Nothing beats a paper book for reading in bright sun, and you never have to worry about recharging!
• They're easy to swap among friends and family, which is how I've discovered some of my favorite books.
• Don't want to risk one of your books or a library book? The Friends of the Library always have books for sale on the library's second floor, and the prices can't be beat!

Digital Magazines: we've got those too

• Check out the latest issue on your tablet or smartphone with your library card through our Zinio app.

Long Trip? Suspend your holds

• Been waiting for the latest James Patterson or Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Don't lose your spot, suspend your holds until you get back, and yes, we can do this for you over the phone.

~Sarah, Adult Services

Beginning Writing for Publication with Mary Potter Kenyon

Mary Potter Kenyon graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in Psychology. She lives in Manchester, Iowa, and is the Director of the Winthrop Public library. Her writing has been widely published in magazines, newspapers and anthologies. She has had several books published, including Coupon Crazy: The Science, the Savings and the Stories Behind America’s Extreme Obsession, which she wrote during a past NaNoWriMo. More information can be found on her website: marypotterkenyon.com

She is presenting a two-part workshop at Carnegie-Stout Public Library for NaNoWriMo with helpful tips on how to prepare your writing for publication and navigate the world of publishing. The next session will be on Monday, November 17th at 6:30 p.m. If you missed the first session, we’ve put together a brief summary of her presentation for you!

Beginning Writing for Publication with Mary Potter Kenyon
Carnegie-Stout Public Library, November 3rd, 2014

Before You Write

• Why do you want to write?
• What interests you about writing?
• What type or types of writing could you imagine yourself doing?

Ms. Kenyon also broke down the familiar advice to “write what you know” into a few categories for easier brainstorming:

• Relatable life events: life experiences many people share
• Less relatable/common life events: life experiences unique to you
• Your passions
• Your passionate dislikes
• Learning opportunities: situations that gave you an opportunity for growth and understanding

Advice for Writers and Wrimos

• The first paragraph of your writing  should catch your readers’ interest and grab their attention, which is described as the “hook” in writing terms.
• Consider your audience how can you shape your story to their taste and interests? Reading the sorts of things you want to write will help you to learn about your reading audience.
• If you plan to submit a piece of your writing for publication be sure to follow the submission guidelines exactly!
• Write every day. It takes time to hone your craft. Bring a notepad with you everywhere you go to take advantage of every free moment. Keep a notebook by your bed. With practice, your skills will inevitably improve.
• Learn to revise. Remember that you can’t edit nothing. Get something down on paper. That is one of the main objectives in participating in NaNoWriMo. You have to write a first draft before you can polish a final draft. Don’t get too attached to your first draft. After editing it will probably look very different.
• If you have an emotional reaction as you write, that is a good sign that your readers will too.
• Be stubborn. Be determined.

Build Your Platform

• Make yourself and your writing visible. Writing shorter pieces for magazines, anthologies, newspapers, and newsletters is a great starting point with a lower time commitment than a full manuscript.
• Build your reputation: demonstrate your skills, abilities, and that there is an audience for what you create.
• Even if it’s a small piece, having your name in print can be a real confidence boost.
• Have a social media presence.
• Be persistent the only way to avoid rejection is to never send anything out. Rejection doesn’t mean your writing is horrible, it just means it isn’t what that publisher was looking for. Remember it is their opinion, but your story.
• Writing is a craft, but publishing is a business. Know how to pitch your work: can you describe it in 2-4 sentences? Do you have your hook? Convey your enthusiasm about your topic or story!

Ms. Kenyon’s next session on Monday, November 17th will cover the nuts and bolts of approaching agents and publishers, including information on query letters, the basics of a book proposal, and information on marketing and promotion. She will provide concrete examples of a book proposal and a marketing sheet her publisher uses, and tips on how to utilize social media as an author.

A Spiritually Cleansing Trip to the Hot Springs

NaNo writers, not to put any pressure on you or anything, but you only have four days left!!! To help push you over the edge, here are some blurbs from reviews of novels which are actually being published in the next few weeks. Enjoy! And then grab your pencil nubs and get back to work!!!

Occasional moments of fine writing cannot salvage this unpromising debut. 

Unfortunately, the combination of a melodramatic storyline and a focus on minutiae make for a forgettable read. 

A novel that badly wants to be cool but is rarely more than sophomoric. 

The climax is no more believable than its antecedents. 

It was an interesting and enjoyable story, however the numerous grammatical errors (almost on every page) detract from it. 

The odds that this book will be eliminated in the first round are high.  

... readers should be prepared for some wooden dialogue. 

... feels too overburdened with coincidences to be credible. 

Blatant metaphors of winter, spring, and a spiritually cleansing trip to the hot springs don't buoy the disagreeable proceedings. 

Readers who find the sophomoric jokes funny will enjoy the hijinks. 

Those looking for a thriller with action beyond the occasional gun battle should search elsewhere. 

... yet another religious thriller with a gimmick that fails to match that of The Da Vinci Code. 

... the excessively complicated plot makes for slow-going. 

A disappointing example of how thorough research can hobble a novel. 

Even as a spoof, which is how it reads, this lurid work is less than entertaining. 

The excitement is somewhat undermined by instances of clunky dialogue and the too-familiar setting and cast …  

... the narrative, carried by so many disparate points of view, never quite comes into focus. 

New York's hipster youth scene is ripe for satire, but unfortunately this novel fails to find the mark. 

If this all sounds more than a little familiar, it is.

Taking a Trip

Sometimes, we all need a vacation, but planning that vacation can turn into a part-time job full of stresses and headaches. Where to go. When to go. What to pack. How to budget. Where to stay. And all those little details from Airport security to Vaccinations.

The best travel tip I can give you is to start planning early. As much fun as it can be to take an impromptu road trip, but knowing which exit to take to see the world's largest wooden nickel can add so much. Likewise it can be useful to know if a big convention is happening before you find out there's only one hotel room available and it's three times the usual price!

Luckily Carnegie-Stout has the resources to help you get started planning your next trip today. We have everything from books to DVDs to recommended websites - we'll even help you pick the perfect audiobook or walk you through loading up your eReader from our eBook collection.

The first step for planning your trip depends on you. Is there a specific time you are able to travel? You'll want to see what to see what the weather is like at your potential destinations. A beach vacation in rainy season is no good, but neither is the peak of tourist season! If you'll be visiting another country, check to see if your visit overlaps school vacations or holidays like our Thanksgiving when shops are closed and everyone is visiting home.

A good guidebook will give you include advice on these topics, as well as tips for getting around, must-see destinations, recommended hotels and restaurants, and more. You can check our catalog for the latest guidebooks by searching in the subject field for: DESTINATION -- Guidebooks. I recommend using the Subject Keyword option.

Click image to see our Hawaii guidebooks.

While a good guidebook can get you started, some topics require up to the minute information. If you'll be visiting a foreign country there are three websites you should visit: the U.S. State Department, the CDC, and the official tourism page for your destination.

The State Department has instructions on applying for a renewing your passport (you can also visit most local post offices to pick up this information), information on tourist visas, and information for travel safety and warnings for Americans abroad.

Likewise, the CDC will tell you which immunizations you'll need, up to date information for local outbreaks or other concerns, how to locate medical help overseas, as well as general travel tips. You'll also want to check that any medication you'll be bringing with you is legal to have in your possession, and likewise some drugs you can buy over the counter in other countries require a prescription in the U.S.

Other online resources you might find useful:

• Practice your language skills with Mango Languages
• Check for airfare deals with a comparative site like Kayak or FareCompare
• SeatGuru has information for meals, in flight entertainment, and where the good seats are
• World Airport Guides has maps and other information for airports around the world
• The TSA will tell you what you can and cannot pack in your checked bags and carry-ons
• The TSA also maintains a blog, which has pictures of all the strange and dangerous things people try to smuggle onto aircraft.

And of course, Carnegie-Stout has books with general travel tips, as well as guidebooks for cruises, traveling with infants and toddlers, and more.

The Smart Traveler's Passport (910.202 TOR)
Budget Travel magazine, one of several travel magazines available at Carnegie-Stout, compiled this book of reader submitted travel tips. While some of the tips are a little out of date (how many people travel with CD player in 2012?), there's still good information. A tip on page 178 suggests bringing bilingual takeout menus when you travel to a country where you don't read the language and need to know if you're ordering chicken or ox heart.

1001 Smart Travel Tips (910.2 ONE)
Fodor's, publisher of travel guides, has a more recent book of travel tips from their writers, editors, and readers. The organization in this book is very clear, and includes sections on packing, flying with animals, trains, and brief information for many popular destinations.

The Packing Book (910.2 GIL)
In addition to some general travel information, this book tells you the best ways to pack your suitcase or carry-on for short trips or long, business or casual. One highlight are the packing lists that you could copy and then check off as you prepare.

Smart Packing for Today's Traveler (910.2 FOS)
Another detailed packing guide with great illustrations for how to select your travel wardrobe for your destination. The author's advice on page 18 is especially useful: "If you can't lift and maneuver your gear by yourself after you've packed it all, edit the contents down to the amount you can mange alone."

If you don't see the information you need for your next trip in this post stop by the library, give us a call ((563) 589-4225), leave us a comment, or check out the other travel posts we have on the blog. Safe journeys, and drop us a post card if you think of it!

Poorcraft by C. Spike Trotman & Diana Nock

Around the age of seven, I decided that books with pictures were for little kids who couldn't read real books yet, or boys who liked robot trucks and superheroes so much that cartoons weren't enough. The only exceptions to this rule were Garfield, The Far Side, and Calvin and Hobbes.

Luckily, by the time I got to college, dorm rooms came equipped with internet and in between working on papers I discovered webcomics. Almost always free, often created by newer, less established, or more experimental artists and writers, these were my one-page-at-a-time introduction to the world of graphic novels.

I'm still an avid reader of webcomics, which is how I came to hear of Poorcraft: funnybook fundamentals of living well on less (640 TRO). The writer, Spike Trotman, is responsible for one of my favorites, Templar, AZ (sometimes NSFW), and I've been waiting to read this graphic novel guide to living within your means since she raised the possibility.

In fact, I wish I'd had this book before I finished college, and entered the world of entry level positions, job hunting in a lukewarm economy, and graduate school. Poorcraft has everything from tips on how to make your own cleaning supplies to how to navigate the complexity of the health care system. Some of the advice my parents gave me (always keep a budget, don't buy things on credit), and some I've learned through experience (how to find a good apartment), but many elements were new for me (how to care for an iron skillet).

The art is done by Diana Nock who, among other projects, does the webcomic The Intrepid Girlbot (family friendly). The style she uses for Poorcraft reminds me of cartoons from the 1930s, very expressive and loose limbed. A callback to the Great Depression makes sense for the topic! I love the humor of the visual style (there are some very amusing background elements), and how the book is organized around Millie's navigation of the concepts of frugality with Penny's help. By having the humor and a narrative, it turns Poorcraft from a list of Dos and Don'ts into a story you'll want to read cover to cover!

I highly recommend this title for anyone looking to save a little money in their budget, whether you're just starting out, or you've been navigating adulthood for years. Poorcraft will give you a good starting point!

You can see more of Spike's work on her website: www.ironcircus.com
And more of Diana Nock's work on her website: www.jinxville.com
Both sites may include material that is NSFW.

~Sarah, Adult Services

Tips to Survive the Apocalypse

You may've heard that the world will be coming to an end later this year. Well Carnegie-Stout is here to help you prepare. There are 23 weeks until December 21st, so we'd better get started.

Now, you might be feeling a little skeptical, this isn't the first time the end of the world has been predicted, and you very well might be right. But just in case the end is nigh, you might want to check out some of these information sources.

You're going to find the most practical information on the second floor in non-fiction. If you're just looking to browse, start at the call number 613.69: survival.

• Surviving the Apocalypse in the Suburbs by Wendy Brown (333.72 BRO) 
• The Ultimate Survival Manual by Rich Johnson (613.69 JOH, New)
• Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things by Tymony Cy (608 TYM) 
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven (613.69 PIV) 
• How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It by James Wesley Rawles (613.69 RAW) 
• The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks (818.602 BRO) 
• How to Survive a Robot Uprising by Daniel Wilson (OverDrive Audiobook)
• Please consider the potential ramifications of downloading a guidebook to surviving attack by intelligent machines. Do you really trust your mp3 player?

You may also be interested in learning more about the source for these dire predictions: The Maya. Luckily, Carnegie-Stout has the books to give you an edge when it comes to Pre-Colombian calendar systems.

• 2012: the return of Quetzalcoatl by Daniel Pinchbeck (303.4909 PIN)
• The Order of Days: the Maya world and the truth about 2012 by David Stuart (529.3297 STU)
• 2012 and the End of the World by Matthew Restall (236.9 RES)
• The 2012 Story by John Major Jenkins (001.9 JEN)
• Popol Vuh: the Mayan book of the dawn of life (299.784 POP)
• Maya Cosmos by David A. Freidel (299 FRE)
• Breaking the Maya Code by Michael D. Coe (497.42 COE)

Finally, if you want to stay updated or learn more there are (of course) many websites you can visit. Here's a list of favorites website from a staff member who wishes to remain anonymous:

• Terra Vivos- underground shelters (with virtual walk-throughs), disaster scenarios, a downloadable Doomsday clock and more.
• Missile silos converted to shelters: SiloHome, HardenedStructures.com , Survivalcondo.com
• 10 Places to Ride Out the Apocalypse
• Civil Defense pamphlets and fallout shelter plans
• Post-apocalypse art: Vladimir Manyuhina; Steve McGhee; Nice collection from i09
• NUKEMAP: Drop a nuclear bomb on your neighborhood!
• io9's Reading List for the Apocalypse
• Michigan State University course Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse: Catastrophes & Human Behavior
• Westlake Ace Hardware Zombie Preparedness Center
• Patrick Geryl's Doomsday Survival List (via CNN Money)

Good luck!