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Here you'll find the answers to a few frequently-asked questions from members of the two communities. [Adult Literacy] [Book
Repair] [Books for the Sight-Impaired]
Q: I need a particular tax form -- and quickly! Q: Where would I go to file for
unemployment benefits? 14829 Dixie Highway For more information about services provided, visit the following website: http://www.ides.state.il.us/ietc/network/job.asp Q: Where can I attend classes to help me earn a General
Education Development (GED) or High School Equivalency (HSE) credential? Q: I know someone who was evicted from
their apartment. Where can the homeless find temporary shelter? Catholic Charities CEDA Center for Community Action Crisis
Center for South Suburbia Morning Star Mission Q: I know someone who has trouble with reading,
writing, and mathematics. Where can they find a tutor? If your friend is an adult, there are a number of options. Programs to improve adult literacy, as well as Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs, are available at many academic institutions in our area, including Moraine Valley Community College, Prairie State College, and South Suburban College. Typically, your friend will be asked to make an appointment for a placement test to determine the level of help needed. Afterward, depending on the situation, the individual may meet with a tutor at a mutually agreeable location, or they might attend group classes at the community college. Moraine Valley Community College Prairie State College Another literacy program that offers assistance in our region is ProLiteracy Worldwide (formed by the merger of Laubach Literacy and Literacy Volunteers of America), as well as the following: South Area Literacy Council ProLiteracy Worldwide also sponsors a hotline (888-528-2224) to help you to find additional tutors in the area. Q: I have recently immigrated to the country, and speak
very little English. Who can help me? Q: How do I apply for welfare and
food stamps? South Suburban DHS Field Office Q: Where can I attend a "55 Alive"
class? Four nearby businesses also provide wireless Internet
access for the public. Kinko's, Panera Bread, Staples, and Starbucks Coffee all have retail stores in the area.
To find the most convenient location (as well as information about cost,
printing availability, etc.), click on these links: |
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Q: I have a relative who can no longer read books, newspapers, and magazines because the print is too small. What are her options? A: Depending on the person's degree of sight impairment, there are several options to consider. For those who can still read regular books but with increasing difficulty, we have a substantial Large Print collection at the Tinley Park Public Library, including many current popular fiction authors (and a small number of non-fiction works). The text in these books is roughly twice the size of text in a standard paperback. When even "large type" is a challenge, we have a collection of "Books on Tape." In this format, professional readers are recorded as they read aloud popular works, and the sound of their voices is stored on cassette tapes or compact disks. Both abridged (summarized) and unabridged (complete text) versions of your favorite books may be available. More comprehensive programs are also available. The local Voices of Vision Talking Book Center, based in Geneva, Illinois, provides audible reading materials for all ages in conjunction with the "Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped." Their service includes access to over 50,000 books and 70 popular magazines, using various types of cassette players to listen to the tapes. (Note that the tapes are not standard cassette tapes; they require a special player to use them.) Although this service is free, the applicant must be certified to have a valid sight impairment by a doctor, nurse, social worker, librarian, or other "competent authority." Our staff would be glad to help you apply for this program; afterward, the patron deals directly with "Voices of Vision" staff. Similar service is provided by Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. This national group, based in Princeton, NJ, specializes in educational materials. Membership with RFB&D costs $25.00 per year, with a one-time registration fee of $50.00. There are other services that provide specialized reading materials, as well as video reading machines that can magnify the image of any print source. Ask one of our reference librarians for more information about these possibilities. Q: How do new residents of Tinley Park and Orland Hills register to vote? A: You can register to vote at either the Tinley Park or Orland Hills Village Hall. Bring two forms of identification, with at least one showing your current address. (Note that you must be a resident of a precinct for at least 30 days before applying for voter's registration.) You may also register to vote at any other city or village main offices, at township offices, and at driver's license facilities when applying for other services. You can register to vote year round except for 27 days just prior to an election and the two days immediately following an election. |
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Q: I have an old computer that I'd like to donate to a worthwhile cause. Where can I bring my PC? A: The Assistive Technology Exchange Network (ATEN) recycles computers and other technology donated by corporations and individuals to benefit learners with disabilities. Affiliated with Infinitec, Inc., the program has distributed nearly 20,000 complete computer systems, free of charge, to disabled students in public schools throughout the state of Illinois. They are happy to accept older equipment as long as it is still in working condition. The Infinitec Southwest office is located at 7550 W. 183rd Street in Tinley Park (the Arthur and Mary Rubloff building). Their phone number is (708) 444-2836, ext. 33, and they accept donations from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
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Q: I would like to apply for Section 8 (HUD) housing. How can I do so? A: The "Housing Choice Voucher Program," more
commonly known as Section 8 housing, provides financial assistance to low
income renters and homeowners. The assistance is in the form of a rental
subsidy, which limits the monthly rent payment of the recipient. This
federal program is operated nationally by the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), but administered locally. More
information about Section 8 housing may be found at this website: |
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Q: I own several old books that are falling apart. Some need basic repairs, and some need to have a new binding. Where can I have this done? A: Most book binderies will only deal with large institutions like libraries, but the Houchen Bindery will also restore books for individuals. The service is not inexpensive, however; prices range from $95.00 to more than $400.00 for the restoration of a single item like a family Bible. Their general office, located in Utica, NE, can be reached at (800) 869-0420; however, note that materials must be evaluated before they can quote a price, so you must ship the item to them. The cost is a minimum of $25.00 plus shipping and handling. |
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| Q: I lost
my Social Security Card and need to get a replacement. Can I request one
online? Where is the nearest office? A: You can request a
replacement card, apply for benefits, find documents and forms, and obtain
other services online at the following URL:
http://www.ssa.gov. There are two offices serving the south suburbs of Chicago. Before you
visit, please call the number given above to make an appointment. OR 10718 S. Roberts Road
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| Q: I
changed cellular providers, leaving me with an old cell phone I can no
longer use. Where can I donate or recycle this phone? A: South Suburban Family Shelter continues to collect used cell phones as a fundraising venture. They have collected over 3,000 cell phones which are shipped to a company in Florida that recycles and refurbishes the phones. Phones which offer the most value are those under 5 years old, with smaller digital handsets, not older analog phones. There is one collection box in Tinley Park (DeVry University, 18624 West Creek Dr.), but there are many others throughout the south suburbs. For a longer list, click here. |
This site is provided as a community service by the Tinley Park Public Library.
This page was last updated on 04/21/06