North Shelby, Mt Laurel libraries to host Solar Eclipse viewing parties

This August, North America will be able to view a total solar eclipse. 

The eclipse, which will take place Aug. 21, will be fully visible along a band that traverses North America. While that band does not immediately pass over Alabama, observers outside of the path will be able to see a partial solar eclipse, according to NASA’s webpage on the eclipse.

To celebrate such a rare celestial event, the North Shelby and Mt Laurel libraries are hosting viewing parties.

“This event is a wonderful opportunity to get an encounter with science in a very accessible way,” said Children’s Librarian Savannah Kitchens.

The library will have solar eclipse viewing glasses, which are the safest way to view the eclipse, and the best way to have the most visibility, Kitchens said. In addition to viewing the eclipse, the libraries will have a live stream of the eclipse, which includes factoids from NASA. It will also show the eclipse in case there is low visibility.

The event will take place Aug. 21 from 12:30-3 p.m., and peak visibility will be around 1:30 p.m. Leading up to the event, the library will also have “make and take” projects at the children’s department desk. This project will provide the items needed to create a solar eclipse viewer.

“We are really looking forward to seeing anybody and everybody,” Kitchens said. “This is open to the whole family — kids and grownups and grownups without kids.”

Supplies are limited, so to reserve a free pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses, contact the library at 439-5504 for the North Shelby Library, 991-1660 for Mt Laurel Library or go to northshelbylibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar