Summer Reading at New York Libraries
Getting started with Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL)
Two solar eclipses are coming to North America! An annular eclipse will occur on Saturday, October 14, 2023, and a total eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, 2024. The 2024 eclipse in particular is the last total solar eclipse that will be visible in the U.S. for another two decades!
STAR Library Network (STAR Net)
The NYS Library has partnered with STAR Library Network (STAR Net) to connect New York libraries with resources to prepare for the two events. STAR Net has a ton of resources available through its Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) initiative to help librarians engage their communities around these upcoming eclipses:
- Find out if your library qualifies for free eclipse glasses
- Check out upcoming professional development opportunities
- Join the STAR Net Eclipse Community to exchange ideas
Looking to recycle eclipse glasses?
Check out this list of ideas from the STAR Net Community: What to do with extra and gently used eclipse glasses??
SEAL Training
Workshops in NY
Three in-person eclipse programming workshops, facilitated by expert staff from the Space Science Institute in Colorado, took place in NY in April and 90 library staff received the training. Workshops were hosted by the Southern Tier and Mid York Library systems, and the third one was held as a pre-conference event before the spring YSS conference in Lake George. We received a lot of positive feedback from attendees who learned about the sun and eclipse events, and also got some great programming ideas and resources that can be used for all ages. These programing ideas and webinars can be found on the SEAL webinar page.