Are you ready for the total eclipse of the sun on Monday, August 21st? It’s been almost 40 years since the last solar eclipse was visible throughout the United States, and Portage County District Library is excited to announce it’ll be distributing free solar eclipse glasses during service hours (while supplies last). Free glasses will be available beginning Tuesday, August 1. Branch libraries include Aurora Memorial, Garrettsville, Pierce Streetsboro, Randolph, and Windham. This free supply of glasses was made possible by the 2017 Solar Eclipse Project, funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
An eclipse is a rare phenomenon many don’t want to miss, but precautions must be followed in order to view it safely. According to safety procedures, which can be found on the NASA website (https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/solar.html), it’s imperative you protect your eyes during the viewing. Use glasses with solar filters, as regular sunglasses do not offer the protection needed. Take breaks, giving your eyes a rest for brief periods of time. Also, pinhole projectors are a safe, indirect viewing technique for observing an image of the sun, and they are considered a popular way for viewing solar eclipses.
For more information about library programs and services, visit Portage County District Library online at www.portagelibrary.org. Connect with us on Facebook. Can’t make it to the library? Try our superb collection of digital services available free with a PCDL card. Don’t have Internet access at home? Request a mobile hotspot using your PCDL card- again, free of charge.
