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The Dare County Library has announced that, beginning on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Dare County Library cardholders will have the opportunity to check out a tabletop telescope for stargazing from the Kill Devil Hills Library, which is located at 400 Mustian Street in Kill Devil Hills.

The addition of the Orion Starblast telescope – which is the first of three such telescopes the Dare County Library hopes to add to its collection so a telescope will eventually be available for checkout from all three library branches – is part of the international Library Telescope Program.

Launched in 2008 by the New Hampshire Astronomical Society, the Library Telescope Program was intended for public libraries and science organizations from around the globe to provide free access and education to the tools of astronomers. The program currently boasts over 1,000 member libraries and organizations in seven countries.

“This has long been on my wishlist of items to bring to our library system,” said Dare County librarian Meaghan Leenaarts Beasley. “On the Outer Banks, we live in an area immersed in the natural world, and stargazing on the beach or back deck is a part of that. What better way to inspire a love of science than with a telescope?”

The telescope will be available for checkout by Dare County Library cardholders ages 18 and older at the Kill Devil Hills Library beginning on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. During checkout, patrons will also receive operating procedures and guidelines for the telescope as well as a headlamp and binoculars. A tote bag containing astronomy books, a planisphere and a moon map is also available for checkout to accompany the telescope.

Outer Banks Astronomy Club president Cameron Crowson advised the Dare County Library on purchasing the various accouterments necessary for the telescope and preparing it for checkout from the library. In addition, Crowson also provided important training to Dare County Library staff members on the proper upkeep and management of the new telescope.

To learn more about the Library Telescope Program and reserving the telescope, contact the Kill Devil Hills Library at 252-441-4431 or go to darenc.gov/departments/libraries. To contact Crowson, reach out via the OBX Astronomy Club on Facebook. For more information about the End of Summer Star Party and Jockey’s Ridge State Park, contact Paul at 252-573-6114.

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