Photo: Arkansas master naturalist and Baxter County Library volunteer Jeffrey Hoeper and Library Director Kim Crow-Sheaner
The Baxter County Library will be offering an explore the night sky series of programs next week.
Two programs will be offered Tuesday evening to encourage the use of a library telescope. Library Telescope Tutorial and Star Party will occur on the library lawn.
Fall is one of the best times of year for stargazing, and telescopes are part of the library’s special collection.
Any patron with a library card may check out a telescope for up to one week.
In 2020, the Arkansas Natural Sky Association (ANSA) joined an effort to restore and preserve the night sky for the public to enjoy and learn about.
Through grants, the ANSA’s library telescope-lending program donated 17 telescopes to libraries in the Buffalo National River corridor, an area designated as a dark sky park by the International Dark Sky Association. The international organization promotes the protection of the nighttime environment.
At the time the Baxter County Library obtained its first telescope, ANSA program coordinator Allan Staib told KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news the funding for obtaining the equipment was secured from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium.
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More information about the upcoming night sky series at the Baxter County Library is available at baxlib.org/events.
Other special collections available for checkout include fishing poles for children and ukuleles.
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