Two solar eclipses are coming to North America – an Annular Eclipse in 2023 and a Total Solar Eclipse in 2024 – and it’s time for public library staff to get ready! Join us for a solar science workshop led by STAR Net facilitators with many years of experience building the STEM capacity of public library staff.

Attendees will receive hands-on training on operating solar telescopes and other methods for direct and indirect solar viewing, best practices for developing and facilitating STEM programs, and how to engage with community partners and library-specific digital resource networks. Attendees will also be able to sign up for free solar eclipse glasses to distribute to their communities in advance of both eclipses! This workshop will use materials from circulation kits that will be available to borrow through OLIS and highlight best practices in using those materials, but the strategies, activities and resources shared during the workshop will be useful to attendees whether they have access to a circulation kit or not.

The goals of this solar science workshop is to help library staff:

• Build off the excitement of the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses, and engage their patrons in solar science activities
• Safely and effectively facilitate direct (e.g. solar telescope and Sunoculars) and indirect methods of safe solar viewing
• Develop and facilitate exciting and interactive STEM programming at their library

If any reasonable accommodation is needed to ensure equal access or participation, contact the Office of Library and Information Services at (401) 574-9300 not less than three (3) business days in advance of the meeting or program date. More advanced notice is highly advisable.