It's Inevitable, Unavoidable, Inescapable

"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."  This quote from Benjamin Franklin's correspondence is particularly appropriate this time of year when thoughts of W-2s and 1040s preoccupy our thoughts.  Starting in January every year, tax form and booklet questions become the FAQs at your local library.  Unfortunately, those people behind the desk cannot predict when the forms and booklets will arrive any more accurately than they could predict the patron's demise.  They don't know when, they simply know that these events shall come to pass.
"Can you tell me which form I should use?"  This is the beginning of a transaction in which the patron reveals a variety personal information while the person behind the desk waves their hands frantically to stop them.  The simple answer is "No".  They can show you where the state and federal forms are located in the building.  They can give you booklets and a toll free number to receive tax help from the state or the IRS, but they cannot tell you which forms to use or give out any form of tax advice.
There are several library resources available to the public which your local librarian will be overjoyed to share with you.  Every year the J.K. Lasser institute publishes a personal income tax guide.  Ernst & Young also publishes income tax guides for the fiscally confused.  In addition to those items, the library also houses large binders (courtesy of the federal government) that contain a variety of current tax forms as well as binders with forms from the past six years.  If patrons still can't find the information they seek, librarians will print forms and give other informational aid but they cannot, they will not, do your taxes.  Don't ask them.  They can't do it; it is verboten.
Some may prefer Margaret Mitchell's take on Benjamin Franklin's famous quote from her book Gone with the Wind.  "Death, taxes, and childbirth!  There's never any convenient time for any of them."  So true for the average person.  The pattern seen at the library is that those expecting a refund are requesting forms almost before the new year begins while those who pay tend to wait until the bitter end.  These must be devotees of Mark Twain, the originator of the statement, "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow."
Just because the librarian can't do your taxes for you doesn't mean that there is no reason to visit the library during tax season.  After all, if you're the patron who is waiting until April to do your taxes, now is the time to catch up on your reading or get those movies you were considering watching.  If you are more like the ants than the grasshoppers and are busily getting your tax information together, what could be more appropriate than finding some soothing music to enjoy during the task?  For those who prefer to procrastinate, try something with a little heft like The Hour of Peril:  The Secret Plot to Murder Lincoln Before the Civil War by Daniel Stashower.  For those in the process of getting things done, there is a large box set called That's Entertainment:  The Ultimate Anthology of M-G-M Musicals.  A good round of cheery show tunes can certainly help pass the time during an onerous task.

If you don't know which category you fall into (ant or grasshopper), go to your local library to inquire about tax forms and booklets.  If they don't have any yet (and many of them don't or only have a limited supply) use the opportunity to browse the various library collections.  Find that movie you've been thinking about but weren't quite sure you would like it.  Take The Artist for example.  It's an award winning film that's in black and white with old-fashioned sub-titles.  It's may not be your usual fare but it is certainly different (the story line is a little "Singing-in-the-Rain-esque") and the little dog is talented and adorable.  One could spend time browsing the CD collection.  If show tunes aren't for you, take the time to peruse the large selection of musical genres or find your favorite artist or group.

What if your library does have the necessary tax forms and booklets that you require but you choose to be a procrastinator?  Don't fret.  The wide variety of items at your library can now become your excuse to delay working on your tax return.  Maybe the IRS will accept that you were too busy watching all three seasons of Downton Abbey to fill out a 1040 so you sent them form 4868 instead.  Take heart, just because you may be a procrastinator doesn't mean you'll never get it done.  Some people believe in the power of procrastination, others believe they work better under pressure, still many believe the early bird gets the worm or the return. Whatever the case for you may be, eventually, Uncle Sam will require that it get it done.