NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 10, 2000

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Glenn A. Walsh - (412) 561-7876, <andrcarn@alphaclp.clpgh.org>

FREE TAX ASSISTANCE AT LIBRARY

Carnegie, Pa., Feb. 10- Beginning February 22, free income tax return preparation assistance will be available, two days each week, at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library, 300 Beechwood Avenue in Carnegie Borough. Appointments are required for the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions, which run from 12:00 Noon to 3:30 p.m. Appointments, which will usually last one-half hour, are available those two days from February 22 through April 12.

Margaret Wagner, a resident of the Chartiers Valley, will provide this free service through the Volunteer Tax Assistance(VITA) program, sponsored by the Federal Government's Internal Revenue Service(IRS). VITA volunteers help people with basic tax returns, particularly those with low and fixed incomes, individuals with disabilities, non-English-speaking residents, and elderly taxpayers.

Ms. Wagner is a retired bookkeeper, formerly employed with the geology firm, Huntley and Huntley. She has assisted taxpayers, as a VITA volunteer, for more than thirteen years.

Ms. Wagner can assist taxpayers with Federal and State tax returns, and with Rent-Rebate forms. Appointments must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Appointments will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis, by applying in person at the Library or by telephoning (412) 276-3456.

Volunteer positions are still available in the VITA program. If you would like to assist people with their tax returns, telephone: (412) 561-7876; leave a message on the answering machine, and you will be contacted.

The Andrew Carnegie Free Library opened as the fourth free public library constructed and endowed by the industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, on May 1, 1901. In addition to a Library, the cultural complex includes a 788-seat, acoustically perfect Music Hall(patterned after Carnegie Hall in New York City), 140-seat Lecture Hall, Civil War Museum, small in-town park, and discount bookstore.

The Andrew Carnegie Free Library is funded by the Borough of Carnegie, through an annual appropriation of the Borough Council; the Allegheny Regional Asset District, from the one percent sales tax levied in Allegheny County; the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; AND the generous donations given by individuals, non-profit organizations, and businesses in Carnegie and the Chartiers Valley.

-30-

Note to Editors and Reporters: Margaret Wagner, of Bridgeville, would be available for interviews; telephone (412) 561-7876 to arrange for an interview.

Keep up with events at your Library, on the Internet: <http://www.clpgh.org/ein/andrcarn/newscal.htm>.

gaw