Join the Monticello library for solar eclipse fun

     Ross & Elizabeth Baty Monticello Public Library has joined more than 1,000 libraries across the country to participate in the celestial event of the century, the Monday, Aug. 21 solar eclipse. During this national event, the shadow of the moon will sweep across the United States in a narrow band from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean in a spectacle that hasn’t occurred in decades. In fact, the last total solar eclipse for the U.S. was nearly 40 years ago. The rest of the U.S. and North America will see a partial eclipse, with the moon covering up only part of the sun. It is aptly named the “Great American Eclipse.”

     On Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the library will celebrate the solar eclipse with solar eclipse activities, streaming live video from locations experiencing the total solar eclipse, and light refreshments.

     The library received a limited supply of free solar eclipse glasses from STAR Library Education Network to use during solar eclipse programming. The solar eclipse glasses will be made available on Aug. 21 starting at 11 a.m.

     You will also have the option to make a homemade solar eclipse-viewing device on Aug. 21. Bring your own shoebox, cereal box, or a similar sized box with you. The library will provide the other materials and instructions to help you build your homemade solar eclipse viewing device.

     The library is located at 205 E. Grand St., Monticello. The eclipse program is free and open to the public.

     The Monticello Public Library joined the STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net) and its NASA@My Library initiative, which are providing resources and STEM activities to libraries across the nation related to the eclipse. Partners include NASA, the American Library Association, and many other organizations. This project was made possible through support from the NASA Science Mission Directorate, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Google, and the national Science Foundation.