Boston Public Library
Kirstein Business Library

Concourse Level, Johnson Building, Central Library, 617-859-2142

Free Tax Prep

Posted on February 20th, 2013 by Gregor Smart in Kirstein Business Library

April 15th is fast approaching.  How are your taxes coming? If you need assistance the folks at AARP are here to help.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free, individualized tax preparation for low-to moderate-income taxpayers – especially those 60 and older – at nearly 6,000 locations nationwide.  Find a location near you. 

See below for BPL Locations:

Hyde Park Branch
35 Harvard Ave
Hyde Park, MA  02136-2831
E-filing Status: Yes
Contact Telephone: (617) 361-2524
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Site Schedule: Mon 12:15PM-5:00PM
Appointment: Appointment Required

Mattapan Branch
1350 Blue Hill Ave
Boston, MA  02126-1843
E-filing Status: Yes
Contact Telephone: (617) 538-4301
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Site Schedule: Sat 9:00AM-2:00PM
Comments: 5 SATURDAYS ONLY: FEB 16, FEB.23, MAR.2, MAR.16, APR.6 NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
Appointment: Walk-ins Welcome
 
South End Branch
685 Tremont St
Boston, MA  02118-3144
E-filing Status: Yes
Contact Telephone: (617) 536-8241
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Site Schedule:
Mon 10:00AM-3:00PM
Tue 12:00PM-5:00PM
Wed 10:00AM-4:00PM
Thu 10:00AM-4:00PM
Appointment: Appointment Required
 
West End Branch
151 Cambridge ST
Boston, MA  02114-2704
E-filing Status: Yes
Contact Telephone: (617) 523-3957
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Site Schedule: Sat 10:00AM-3:00PM
Appointment: Appointment Required 

Cruise Industry Statistics

Posted on February 15th, 2013 by Gregor Smart in Electronic Resources, Internet Resources, Kirstein Business Library

We’re glad to hear the passengers aboard the Carnival Triumph are back on land.  Cruising is big business.  Did you know that the cruise line industry generated more than $40 billion in total economic activity to the US economy in 2011, creating 350,000 jobs, and that 20 million global passengers went on a cruise in 2011?  Check out market researchissues, and statistical reports  from the Cruise Lines International Association.

For additional information on the cruise industry, the BPL has a number of resources to help you learn even more:

 

Free online courses via MIT OpenCourseWare

Posted on February 14th, 2013 by Gregor Smart in Kirstein Business Library

Interested in taking some free online courses at MIT?  Surf on over to their OpenCourseWare site.  Here you’ll find classes on a range of topics with materials from over 2,150 courses.

A sample list of classes from their Entrepreneurship Section:

You’ll also find a list of MIT-hosted videos relating to entrepreneurship.

You can also check out Kirstein’s selection of Entrepreneurship titles from our catalog.

 

Valentine’s Day Consumer Statistics

Posted on February 14th, 2013 by Gregor Smart in Kirstein Business Library

According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation $18.6 billion will be spent on Valentine’s Day this year with the average consumer spending $130.97 on items such as candy, cards, flowers and jewelry.   

Breakdown by item purchased:

  • 51.% candy
  • 36.6% flowers
  • 19.7% jewelry
  • 15.6% clothing
  • 15% gift cards

Download their complete survey results.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Great Northeast Blizzard of 1978 Remembered 35 Years Later

Posted on February 7th, 2013 by Betsey Lippmeier in Kirstein Business Library

Thirty-five years ago this week, President Carter declared parts of Rhode Island and coastal Massachusetts federal disaster areas.  The National Guard was brought in for the clean-up.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,  the Red Cross reported 73 deaths and 4324 injuries or illnesses attributed to the storm in Massachusetts and 26 deaths and 232 injuries or illnesses in Rhode Island.

Three thousand cars and 500 trucks were stranded on Route 128 in Massachusetts.

There were $500 million in damages in Massachusetts an $15 million in Rhode Island.

Here is the  Blizzard of 1978 Revisited slide show from the National Weather Service in Taunton.

For more information on the blizzard, check out:


The Blizzard of ’78
Tougias, Michael (Book – 2003)

 

 


Greater Boston’s Blizzard of 1978
Earls, Alan R. (Book – 2008)

 

 


Storm of the Century: New England’s Great Blizzard of ’78
Haraden, Christopher J. (Book – 2003)