For at least 10 years, library director Ed Garcia said the Cranston central library has partnered with retirees to provide Cranston residents with tax preparation assistance.

Now that the senior center’s similar tax preparation program has ceased to exist due to a lack of volunteerism, according to Mark Schieldrop in the mayor’s office, the library’s program will come in extra handy for those needing help with their taxes this year.

The program will be available every Thursday between February 1 and March 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the central library location. 

It is free to taxpayers of low or moderate income, Garcia said, and operated on a first-come-first-serve basis.

People must bring their tax returns from last year, any tax information they have with them from this year, their social security card, and a photo ID.

Garcia said that AARP members have to go through a “couple-month” training program to learn how to properly assist people in doing their taxes. The program is completely volunteer-based, he said.

“It’s a really good service to allow people to do it for free, especially for the elderly,” Garcia said. “It’s usually pretty packed, and there’s some overflow sometimes.”