Author: Amanda Warner

Update: Donate Your Used Eclipse Glasses

Used eclipse glasses can be dropped off at the Plain City Public Library during open hours of Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm and Friday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Eclipse glasses will be donated to locations in need around the world through the Astronomers Without Borders Solar Glasses Recycling And Distribution Program. PCPL will continue to collection glasses through April 13, 2024.

2024 Total Solar Eclipse

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America with much of Ohio in the path of totality. During this rare event, the moon is positioned between Earth and the sun and casts a shadow over Earth, plunging Earth into near total darkness.

You can find more information about the solar eclipse, including facts, a totality map, and safety tips at: https://ema.ohio.gov/media-publications/ohio-total-solar-eclipse

Solar Eclipse Events

The Library will offer several events in the weeks leading up to the total solar eclipse, including:

2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE: A presentation by Don Stevens of Perkins Observatory
Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30pm
Learn about the upcoming solar eclipse, viewing safety, and more from Don Stevens of Ohio Wesleyan University’s Perkins Observatory.

TAKE & MAKE: SOLAR ECLIPSE – Sun, Moon & Constellation Investigation
Pick up a Take & Make kit with everything you need to create a constellation projector and learn about solar and lunar eclipses. Available for pickup at the library beginning Friday, March 15th while supplies last.

SPACE VR EXPERIENCE: Explore Space in Virtual Reality
Tuesday, March 19 by appointment
Experience the vastness of the universe using virtual reality, with a variety of apps to choose from.

SOLAR ECLIPSE T-SHIRT 
Wednesday, March 20 from 6:00pm-7:00pm
Bring your own plain black shirt and use fabric paint and stencils to make an eclipse design.

SPACE STORY SPECTACULAR 
Thursday, March 21 at 6:30pm
A special interactive and educational evening of stories. Learn about space through stories and activities that are out-of-this-world fun! For ages 8 and under and their families.

Solar Eclipse Glasses

It is never safe to look directly at the sun. Experts recommend that those wanting to view the solar eclipse wear NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses or create an eclipse viewer.

A limited number of NASA-approved solar eclipse viewing glasses are available to established Plain City Public Library cardholders and residents of the Jonathan Alder Local School District. To receive solar eclipse viewing glasses, visit the Library in person and show your Plain City Public Library card or proof of residency. Each household will be eligible to receive 2 pairs of glasses. Solar eclipse glasses will be available while supplies last.

In lieu of glasses, plans for a simple DIY eclipse viewer can be found here.

The Plain City Public Library will observe the following holiday hours:

Thank you for your patience as library staff spend the holidays with our loved ones.

You may notice a new addition to Plain City Public Library programming this summer. The Crash Cart contains everything needed to bring fun and educational STEAM projects for all ages right to you! Look for the Crash Cart this summer with a new project immediately following large events at the Library.

So far this summer we’ve designed and made our own buttons and created beautiful tissue paper suncatchers! What project will the Crash Cart bring next? Find out by visiting us inside the Library following these events:

• Interactive Petting Zoo – Wednesday, June 14


• All Together Now: Solar Eclipse – Tuesday, June 20


• Magic Show with Erica Carlson – Tuesday, July 11


• Drummunity! – Monday, July 17

Look for these and other pop-up Crash Cart events when you visit the Library this summer!

This project was funded in part by a federal Institute of Museum and Library Services LSTA grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio.

Along with all the fun and excitement, the holidays can be busy and hectic. Let the Plain City Public Library help! The Library has resources to help ease the rush of the holiday season.

Holiday Tip #1: Find a new recipe to share

Looking to try a new recipe this year? Check out one of our cookbooks – with loads of new titles and, of course, the old standards, you’ll be sure to find a tasty new dish to share: http://ow.ly/qf8550LTMCz

Holiday Tip #2: Stream holiday music

Looking for some festive holiday tunes? Check out hoopla, where you can stream music for free with your Plain City Public Library card! Visit https://www.hoopladigital.com/collection/17039?utm_marquee=yes&utm_content=homepage_Marquee1 to check out their new holiday music collection.

Holiday Tip #3: Take a break! Cozy up with a holiday read

Need a break? Curl up with one of these cozy winter reads, available from PCPL: http://ow.ly/E6mg50LTS1c

Holiday Tip #4: Experience the joy of making

Oh what fun it is to craft! Check out new holiday crafting classes on Creativebug. Access these and hundreds of other award-winning video classes taught by top designers and artists for FREE with your library card. Get started here: https://www.creativebug.com/classseries/new-releases–lookbook/celebrate-the-season-a-daily-holiday-painting-practice