Getting Connected: Your Guide to Applying for a Government-Supported Phone

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Getting Connected: Your Guide to Applying for a Government-Supported Phone

As the holiday season approaches, staying connected with loved ones becomes more critical. For many, a phone is essential not only for holiday communication but also for accessing vital resources, managing appointments, and ensuring personal safety. This is why one of the most frequently requested resources at the Davenport Public Library’s social services desk is information on obtaining a government-supported phone, commonly known as ‘Obama phones.’

The Lifeline program is a federal program that helps low-income individuals and families pay for phone services. While many are aware of this federal benefit, few know how to apply for it or what the eligibility requirements are for receiving it. This month’s resource highlight offers a clear guide on obtaining a government-supported phone, including the application process, necessary documentation, and important considerations to remember. The federal government has simplified the application process for the Lifeline Assistance Program, which partners with various wireless providers to offer these phones to eligible individuals. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Eligibility Verification

You may be eligible for Lifeline if you meet certain income and household size requirements and also if you receive benefits from a federal assistance program such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal public housing assistance, veterans’ pension and survivors’ benefits, and tribal programs. To start, it is recommended that you apply directly through the federal government’s Lifeline Program to verify your eligibility. (https://www.lifelinesupport.org). This initial approval is essential, as it confirms your qualification for the benefit. Once approved, you will receive eligibility approval with an application number to choose a provider.

Step 2: Choosing a Provider

After receiving your approval of eligibility, you can select from several participating providers in your area to receive your phone and service. Popular options include Assurance Wireless, Q-Link, Safelink Wireless, Premier Wireless, TruConnect, and U.S. Cellular. The availability of providers also depends on your area of residence. Make sure to go directly to the official website of your chosen provider to apply for the government-supported phone service. While there, ensure you select the government phone link, as clicking on the wrong link may lead you to sign up for a regular, non-subsidized plan.

Step 3: Completing the Provider Application

When completing the application on the provider’s website, the provider may verify your eligibility by checking with the federal Lifeline Program. This is where your eligibility or approval application number comes in handy. This number allows the provider to access your qualifying application information, simplifying the process.

If you began the application on a provider’s website without prior federal approval, you may be redirected to the National Verifier to confirm your eligibility before continuing. Providers may also request that you upload copies of your qualifying documents, so be sure to have these documents ready.

Important Considerations:

Household Verification: The Lifeline Program allows only one government-supported phone per household. If you live at a shared address, such as a shelter or nursing home, you may need to clarify that it is a multi-resident facility to avoid disqualification. Proof of separate household status may be required if multiple applicants use the same address.

How to Apply: You can apply online (https://www.lifelinesupport.org)or by printing a paper copy of the application, which you can then complete and mail. If you choose the paper application route, include copies of your eligibility documents to ensure the timely processing of your application.

Lost or Stolen Phones: If your phone is lost or stolen, it is at the provider’s discretion whether to replace it free of charge. Switching providers due to a lost or stolen phone requires you to cancel your current service first. The Lifeline system must show that you are not receiving other active services. Otherwise, you may be ineligible for a new phone until the previous service is fully canceled. Many people face this challenge as they do not know their service providers. Please ensure you know the service provider for your phone service. Write this information down if you must.

Documentation: To qualify, you will need to upload physical proof of your eligibility, such as a SNAP benefit letter, Medicaid card, or SSI benefit letter, during the application process. Many applicants find this step challenging, as they may not have these documents readily available.

Use this guide whenever you or someone you know needs assistance obtaining a government-supported phone.

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

- Stephanie Leave a comment

“everything we fear finds us eventually, so there’s no point trying to outrun it.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

Stuart Turton’s latest novel, The Last Murder at the End of the World, is a genre-bending murder mystery that contains elements of science fiction, crime thrillers, and dystopia.

An island in the middle of the ocean holds what is left of humanity. A fog swept the world, killing anyone and everything it touched. Thanks to the work of three scientists living on the island, a security system is in place keeping the fog at bay. 122 villagers live with the scientists, fishing and farming, supplying the island with what they need to survive.

Their idyllic lives are shattered when, upon waking one morning, they discover one of the scientists dead in a burning building. They quickly learn that the death triggered the security system to lower, bringing the fog closer and closer to the island. With only hours left before the fog destroys the island and kills them all, they must figure out what happened to the scientist. Obstacles repeatedly pop up during the investigation, leading the villagers chasing leads all over the island. The truth will be hard to figure out, but the clock is ticking. If they don’t solve this mystery, the fog will wipe their problems, and their lives, away.

This is a book that is hard to talk about without giving too much away. Let me start by saying that the beginning of this book gives off very much ‘hippie commune thrown for a loop by a crime’ vibes. I love that. The rest of the book is chock full of twists and turns as they try to solve the crime. This was a very quick read, but I found it to be difficult to follow at times in the audiobook as two of the characters’ accents were only *slightly* different. Overall, The Last Murder at the End of the World was intriguing and had me hooked to the very end.

Library Business Assistance

- Rachel Leave a comment

The Davenport Public Library is proud to announce that we have a new service. It is Library Business Assistance. This new service is available to anyone starting or operating a business. The Library is here to help!

Some of the services that we have to offer are:

  • Data Axle Reference Solutions
  • Gale Business Plan Builder
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Candid: Foundation Directory
  • BrainFuse
  • Books on various business topics

We also offer one-on-one appointments with our librarians. They can help you with the various products and assist you with your business journey.

So, if you have questions about business, just ask us at the library! We are here for you.

For more information about Library Business Assistance, check out our website: https://www.davenportlibrary.com/services/business-services

A Full Life

- Bill Leave a comment

Firstly, this isn’t a new book at DPL.  President Carter penned this biography ten years ago at the whippersnapper age of 90.    There are a host of fascinating tidbits here about Smiling Jimmy.  For example, you wouldn’t think the first centenarian US president would be a guy who produced radioactive urine for six months after saving a damaged Canadian nuclear reactor.  As he tells it, science’s burgeoning cognizance of radiation in 1952 erroneously permitted human exposure levels 1000 times our modern understanding.  It worked out for Bruce Banner, right?

Carter’s roots were humble.  In fact, he was the first president to reside in public housing, undoubtedly igniting his passion for Habitat for Humanity.  Little Jimmy was a racial minority among his schoolmates, solidifying his stance as supporter of civil rights in the turbulent 60’s.  Where he was from, that platform cost him a few victories in his nascent political career.

Governor.  Presidency.  Ayatollah. Hostage Crisis. Energy Crisis. Reagan.   And then, it was right back to Plains, GA, the peanut farm, and the same home he’s owned for sixty years.  Did he ever stop teaching Sunday school?  He missed a few catechisms 1976-1980, yeah.

Check out the story of the man who is more famous for what he did AFTER being POTUS while there isn’t a holds list.  If heaven ever claims the objectively kindest human to occupy the oval office, there might be demand for this story.  Of course, we’ve been saying that a while.  Jimmy may rival “Silent Cal” Coolidge for the least sensational commander-in-chief, but his century on Earth is undeniably grounded in public service.

Library Resources for Thanksgiving day

- Beth Leave a comment

You may already know The Library has oodles of cookbooks covering appetizers to desserts and everything in between. But we also have some surprising resources to help you prepare for the perfect Thanksgiving Day.

The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen series “Making Perfect” is ad-free on the video streaming service Kanopy, available by using your Davenport Public Library card.

Our video streaming service Kanopy has two video series that cover cooking the big meal. First is the series “Making Perfect,” season 2. Over seven episodes, six members of the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen demonstrate recipes for turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, pie and other sides.

Among “Great Courses” available through the video streaming service Kanopy is “Cooking Basics: What Everyone Should Know” that includes an episode on Thanksgiving turkey.

Also available through Kanopy is the Great Courses series, including the class “Cooking Basics: What Everyone Should Know,” presented in partnership with The Culinary Institute of America. While only episode 15 (Cooking the Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey) specifically mentions Thanksgiving, the 50-minute program shows a stuffing and cranberry sauce recipe.

Both “Making Perfect” and the Great Courses series can be accessed by logging into Kanopy with your Davenport Public Library card.

Strike the right mood by accessing a Thanksgiving playlist from The Library’s music streaming service Freegal. Start the day with kid songs to help little ones get excited. By the time it’s time to sit down for the meal, an instrumental playlist will bring the whole family together.

Finally, if you’re looking for something to do with family besides eating, stop in any of the Davenport Public Library branches before Thanksgiving and check out a puzzle or board game. Puzzles range from 100 pieces to 2,000 pieces. Make new memories by playing a family game such as Pete the Cat: The Missing Cupcakes. Then send the kids to bed and adults can stay up and play a round of Wingspan.

 

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore

- Stephanie Leave a comment

“This world was a terrible place. It gave you people to love and then took them away before you stopped loving them. It made you mean and angry and cruel to those who needed you most. It ground you down until it was all you could do to get through the day. But most of all, it tried to convince you that you were alone in your suffering.”
― Lucy Gilmore, The Lonely Hearts Book Club

Sloane Parker is a cheerful librarian in her small town. When she brushes up against Arthur McLachlan, an old man with the power to send the other librarians scurrying away, Sloane takes an instant liking to him. She looks forward to Arthur’s daily visits to the library when she can spar and listen to his insults. Arthur’s visits are consistent and regular every day at the same time. When he doesn’t show up one day, Sloane is instantly concerned. When his absence continues, Sloane is torn. She wants to check up on Arthur, but to do so would put her job in jeopardy. Desperate, Sloane decides to check on Arthur to put her anxiety at bay.

When Sloane arrives at Arthur’s house, she is shocked to see that Arthur has suffered from a medical emergency and is not happy with his care home staff. Sloane inserts herself into Arthur’s life and soon realizes that there are other misfits in her orbit and in Arthur’s life willing to intervene. Sloane starts a book club as a form of intervention for Arthur that eventually becomes a safe space for Sloane and her band of lonely misfits. This group of lonely hearts starts to bond, helping each other and making sure Arthur takes care of himself.

Lucy Gilmore has written complex characters with deep storylines and even deeper issues. This story is heartwarming highlighting quality character development and superb writing quality. The Lonely Hearts Book Club is split into multiple points of view which allows readers to learn more about characters’ actions. This book pulled on my heart strings with its incredible insight, easy readability, and sharp wit. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

November Picture Book Spotlight: DINOSAUR TAKE OVER!

- Brittany Leave a comment

Happy NovembROAR!! This month, I am excited to share some delightful Dinosaurific stories to share with your favorite little velociraptor in your life!

Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs by Byron Barton
In prehistoric days there were many different kinds of dinosaurs, big and small, those with spikes and those with long, sharp teeth.
– provided by our catalog

 

 

Never Touch the Dinosaurs by Rosie Greening
This roar-some counting book is perfect for young children. There’s plenty to explore in this innovative board book with silicone textures and silly rhyming text. Little ones will love learning to count down from five as they explore the amazing bumpy dinosaurs on every page.
– provided by our catalog

 

 

 

Penelope and the Problem with Pets by Ryan T. Higgins
Penelope Rex gets a saber-toothed tiger for her first pet, but find ‘Mittens’ a lot to handle.
-provided by our catalog

 

 

Tea Rex by Molly Idle
Cordelia and her brother host a tea party for an unusual guest–a T-Rex!
– provided by our catalog

 

 

 

 

The Dinos on the Bus by Peter Miller illustrated by Tony Neal
The Wheels on the Bus transforms into the squeals on the bus as the little dinos travel up and down, round and round, all through the land. Packed full of actions to join in, with a calming ending to wind down after all the excitement, this is the perfect first picture book to enjoy together. Young readers will stomp their feet and clap their hands in delight as they sing along with this fun-filled, dinosaur reinvention of this popular rhyme!
– provided by our catalog

D is for Dinosaur by Christopher Robbins illustrated by Volha Kaliaha
Take a trip back in time to the Mesozoic Era when dinosaurs walked the earth! With G for giganotosaurus, P for pachycephalosaurus, and X for xenoceratops, the ABCs have never been so T-riffic! Every little dino lover will have a roaring good time learning dinosaur names all the way down to zalmoxes.
– provided by our catalog

 

That’s Not My Dinosaur by Fiona Watt
Turn the pages and touch the patches of different textures to develop sensory and language awareness.
– provided by our catalog

 

 

 

Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems
Edwina is well-known in her neighborhood, she plays with kids, she bakes delicious chocolate chip cookies and helps old ladies cross the street. She is well-loved by everyone except for one person: Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie. He knows for a fact that dinosaurs are extinct and tries to convince everyone that they are. What happens when Edwina finds out?
– provided by our catalog

 

Have you read any of these titles? I would love to hear about what you thought of them in the comments!

Cultish

- Bill Leave a comment

The cornerstone of cults, as it turns out, is the master manipulation of words.  Such skill is a common strength of your most tragically successful demagogues.  Language is the glue that binds together a cult- an insider shorthand which others outside detractors, structures exclusivity, and staunches objection.  As advertised, that’s the focus of linguist and podcaster Amanda Montell’s bestseller, Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism.

Exhibit A: The thought-terminating cliche

The usual suspects are represented here: Scientology, Heaven’s Gate, and Jim Jones.  However, you’ll learn sundry gyms and workout plans, current political movements, and multi-level marketing scams utilize precisely the same techniques.  If you are into the power of words and baffled by the malleability of bright citizens, this is the book for you.  But, please don’t expect the thrilling page turner perspective among similar nonfiction bestsellers.  For those that Dewey, this is far more of a 400 than 364.

As it turns out, the vast majority of this book focuses on linguistics with minor treatment of true-crime tidbits.  I accept full responsibility.  Focus on the title words in boldface and a cool cover like this reader did and you may also fall down that well of naivete.  We truly need a truism warning readers of such haphazard browsing.

Library Closed for Veteran’s Day

- Stephanie Leave a comment

All three Davenport Public Library locations will be closed Monday, November 11th in observance of Veteran’s Day. All three buildings will reopen with regular business hours on Tuesday, November 12th: Main (321 Main Street) 9am to 5:30pm, Eastern (6000 Eastern Avenue) 9am to 8pm, and Fairmount (3000 N Fairmount St) noon to 8pm.

Even though our physical locations will be closed, you can still access free digital content for all ages. Your Davenport Public Library card gives you access to free eBooks, digital audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music through Libby, Freegal, TumbleBooks, QC Beats, and Kanopy!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

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