Library hosting seminars

One of the key aspects of helping oneself, or others, with mental health problems is understanding.

Jay County Public Library is partnering to help expand knowledge of mental health issues.

The library will host a pair of seminars, with two sessions each, this month in partnership with Meridian Services.

“Understanding the Risk and Protection Factors in Mental Health” is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. April 11. It will cover learning how personal history and stress can impact mental health.

“Understanding Depression and Anxiety in Teens and Youth” will follow at 6 p.m. April 18 and 10 a.m. April 25. These sessions will focus on learning common behavioral traits to look for and options for treatment.

The library requests that those interested in attending register in advance by calling (260) 726-7890.

Other activities at the library in April include a do-it-yourself garden session at 6 p.m. April 8 with Larry Temple of Jay County’s Purdue Extension office. Temple will offer tips about gardening and the benefits of the activity.

JCPL will also host a jelly bean and marshmallow PEEP tasting event at 6:30 p.m. April 17, a breakout game for third through eighth graders at 6:30 p.m. April 24 and a family STEAM lab from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 27.

To speak

John Jay Center for Learning’s spring speaker series features a four-part seminar from Mike Medler about the use of forensic science in criminal investigation. The former director of the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Service Agency will speak about blood stain analysis on April 30, fingerprints on May 21 and hair/fiber analysis on June 18.

Other events in the spring speaker series include:

•“Capturing military stories, one veteran at a time” with Kayleen Reusser, who has authored 16 books about World War II veterans on April 4.

•“Get Lost in the Limberlost” with Limberlost State Historic Site naturalist and program developer Curt Burnette on April 11.

•“The Battle of the Wabash” with archaeologist Christine Thompson of Ball State University on April 25.

•“Richmond Museum of Art” with museum executive director Shaun Dingwerth on May 16.

•“Sustainability. What is it?” with Ball State University professor of architecture Robert Koester on May 30.

All sessions are free and begin at 6:30 p.m.

Offering help

Free tax help will be available at Adams Public Library’s Geneva location next month. 

AARP tax-aide volunteers will be at the library from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 8 to help people prepare their Indiana State and Federal tax forms. 

Those wishing to take advantage of the sessions should bring their tax return from 2018; Social Security cards and birth dates of all names listed on the tax return; all W2s, 1099s and other tax statements from 2018; receipts for deductions; rent receipts if claiming a renter’s deduction; care provider’s information for child and dependent care expenses; amounts and dates of each payment of estimated taxes during 2018; and a voided check or savings account routing numbers for direct deposit of refund. 

To make a reservation, call the Geneva branch at (260) 368-7270. Contact the reference department at Adams Public Library at (260) 724-2605 for more information.