Help Growing Fruits and Vegetables!

The seed catalogs and gardening catalogs are arriving every day in the mail and you might be thinking of trying something new this year. A strawberry patch? Some dwarf apple trees? Your library has books and other resources to help you get started. An online resource that is often overlooked is the County Extension Agent. Here is a link to the Extension's Fruit and Vegetable site!

Tech Talks and Library eBooks

We had 13 people come to the library this morning with their eReaders, Kindles, and laptops to learn the basics about how to borrow digital eBooks and audiobooks from the library. Some folks wanted to know how to burn a digital audiobook to a CD, and one person wanted to learn how to create a blog! I'd like to send out a big "Thank you" to everyone who came. Your enthusiasm and interest in the "digital branch" of your library was infectious.
The library will be offering more Tech Talks in the future, so be sure to give us a call or write an email and let us know what you would like to learn about. springfieldprograms@gmail.com

For those of you who own Kindles and could not make it this morning, here is a link to some basic instruction.
Getting Library Books on your Kindle

TONIGHT OPEN HOUSE - FRIDAY DECEMBER 2 - 5:30

After the tree lighting downtown, take a short walk with Santa to the library for the annual Friends of the Springfield Town Library (FOSTL) Open House. Have your picture taken with Santa, enjoy some fresh baked goodies and cider, listen to the Comtu Chamber Players from the teen loft and enter the famous gift basket raffle! This year there are two great baskets to be raffled - filled with gift certificates and goodies generously donated by local businesses. Be sure to have the kids enter to win the children's gift basket - entries are free for the kids!

Upcoming Adult Programs Nov & Dec

Thursday, November 10 @ 6:30 pm
Eastern Cougar Sightings with Robert Tougias


Monday, November 14 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm
You're Halfway There Write-In - for all writers participating in NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month!


Wednesday, November 16 @ 6:30 pm
"Holding Our Own" a film by Camilla Parker hosted by the Springfield Area Hospice singers


Monday, November 28 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
The Springfield Writer's Group invites all writers and would-be writers age 18 and up


Wednesday, November 30 @ 7:00 pm
Button UP Vermont workshop sponsored by Efficiency Vermont - learn woodstove safety, weatherization tips and more!


Friday, December 2 @ 5:30 pm
Friends of the Springfield Town Library Open House


Wednesday, December 14 @ 7:00 pm
Holiday Concert with The Saxtons River Bell Ringers
(snow date December 15)

Have a question?

You have access to almanacs, dictionaries, biographies, geneaology resources, Vermont history and much, much more through the Vermont Department of Libraries Basic Reference on the Web. Just click here and have fun!

Deadline EXTENDED for Public Assistance Disaster Fund Applications

Cities and towns in Vermont will have an extra 16 days to apply for federal disaster assistance to help repair damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene. The new deadline for communities to apply is now October 17, 2011. President Barack Obama signed an emergency Public Assistance disaster declaration for all Vermont counties on September 1st.
The declaration makes all cities and towns in Vermont eligible to receive 75% reimbursement for eligible response repair, and cleanup costs. By law, those who are eligible for funds MUST submit a request for public assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency within 30 days of the declaration – however, that deadline has been extended to October 17, 2011.
Communities, certain non-profits, and publicly owned utilities in the declared counties can put in claims for things like overtime paid for storm cleanup, public infrastructure damage, contractors, equipment rentals, fuel for those rentals and other publicly owned equipment used for cleanup or repairs, and any other costs above and beyond normal operating expenses.
Your regional planning commission, the Vermont Agency of Transportation, and PA specialists from FEMA can help with the application process, but it must be completed by the deadline of October 17th. This does not affect the October 31 deadline for individuals to apply for Individual Assistance. For more information, please call Alec Portalupi at the Vermont Agency of Transportation at 802-828-3889; or Gary Schelley of VTrans at (802) 828-0425.

Myth vs Fact about Registering For FEMA Aid

Some Vermonters who were affected by Tropical Storm Irene may have not registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance because of misconceptions or lack of accurate information.
Here are some examples.
MYTH: I thought my income was too high for me to qualify.
FACT: There is no income cutoff for FEMA aid. Anyone with disaster damage or loss in the declared counties may be eligible for help. FEMA grants may cover under insured or uninsured losses.
MYTH: My insurance agent told me I wouldn’t be able to get help from FEMA because I have flood insurance.
FACT: Everyone with flood insurance should register. FEMA may be able to help with uninsured costs.
MYTH: I don’t want FEMA assistance because it will affect my Social Security benefits, taxes, food stamps or Medicaid.
FACT: FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs and it is not reportable as taxable income.
MYTH: I’ve already cleaned up and made the repairs. Isn’t it too late?
FACT: You may be eligible for reimbursement of your clean up and repair expenses.
MYTH: I thought FEMA only gave loans. I don’t want a loan.
FACT: FEMA only provides grants that do not have to be repaid. FEMA’s individual assistance program covers expenses for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of damaged personal property and other disaster-related needs, such as medical, dental or transportation costs not covered by insurance or other programs. The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest loans to renters, homeowners and businesses of all sizes. Some applicants may receive an SBA loan application after registering with FEMA. No one is obligated to take out a loan. But if they don’t complete the application, they may not be considered for other federal grants.
MYTH: I’m a renter. I thought FEMA aid was only for homeowners to repair their homes.
FACT: FEMA may provide grants to help renters who lost personal property or were displaced.
MYTH: I heard there’s too much red tape and paperwork to register.
FACT: There is no paperwork to register with FEMA. You can do it with one phone call that takes a short while, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service. You can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. The website helps reduce the number of forms to be filled out and shortens the time it takes to apply.
MYTH: I already received disaster assistance last year. I thought I couldn’t get it again this year.
FACT: If you had damage from another federally declared disaster you may register for new assistance.
MYTH: Isn’t FEMA broke? Other people need the help more than I do.
FACT: FEMA has enough funding to assist all eligible survivors with immediate needs. You will not be taking from others if you register for aid yourself. FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call800-462-7585; or call 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS). FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Free Online Courses now Available!

Springfield Town Library patrons now have access to over 500 online courses for free. All you need is your library barcode. Just go to the library website and click on "Free Online Courses" or click here to view courses and get started today! You may enroll in up to 5 courses at a time and you have 6 months to complete any one course.

VT Irene Crowdmap

Click here for a map of key information post-Irene. This site includes damage documentation, recovery coordination, road closures and more.

Watch out for Disaster Fraud and Scammers

FEMA News Release:

VERMONT DISASTER SURVIVORS: WATCH OUT FOR FRAUD

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Unfortunately, when there are disasters, swindlers often follow, seeking to profit from others’ misfortune. State and federal officials caution Vermonters to be on the lookout for the many different schemes they may encounter.

Some scammers may falsely claim to work for the Federal Emergency Management Agency or another government agency, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration. All legitimate FEMA and SBA workers have official identification and can prove they are who they claim to be.

Con artists often aim to find out personal information, including Social Security and bank account numbers that can then be used for identity theft. When those affected by the storm first register for assistance, they need to provide a Social Security number as well as a bank account number, if they request direct deposit of FEMA aid. On any follow-up calls or visits, however, a FEMA representative may ask for the last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security number, but never the whole number. The bank account number does not need to be provided again.

Some scammers may tell homeowners they need to pay a fee to be put on a list to have their homes repaired. Some ask for a payment to assure receiving FEMA assistance. In fact, there is never a charge for filling out a FEMA or SBA assistance application and all applications are evaluated using the same rules. No legitimate FEMA employees or contractors charge for any FEMA services, including damage inspections. In fact, FEMA or SBA representatives are not allowed to accept money under any circumstances.

Vermonters should also be aware that some swindlers who seek personal information or illegitimate payments may claim to be volunteers from charitable organizations.

Defrauders continue to invent new ways to swindle consumers. Recently, one created a Smartphone application for the Android operating system that purports to enable users to register for FEMA disaster assistance but, in fact, it does not.

Also, be aware of contractors who demand large up-front deposits to make repairs. Some may be scammers who then disappear. Others engage in price gouging on materials and stealing building supplies.

If you think you have been victimized by fraud or suspect fraudulent activity, please report it to the Vermont Attorney General’s office; telephone 802-656-3183. FEMA also maintains a disaster fraud hotline at 866-720-5721 for use by anyone wishing to report suspected incidents of fraud.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.



FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.



SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2011 1:13 PM
Vermont Disaster Survivors: Watch Out For Fraud

FEMA News Desk: 802-951-2700

VEM Mark Bosma: 800-347-0488

Joint Information Center
Burlington, VT

Release Date: 9/4/11

DR-4022-VT NR 003

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