Summer starts with a blast at library's Space Launch Party

Summer started with a blast for more than 300 people at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library on Saturday afternoon with plenty of space-themed activities and a first look at the library's new Earth from Space exhibit.

All of the fun was part of the library's Space Launch Party, which gave attendees of all ages the opportunity to explore space in many different ways.

Customers visited the Earth from Space exhibit on the first floor, worked as a team on a space-themed scavenger hunt, created buttons, enjoyed activities in Kids' World, discovered space-related mobile apps, and learned about telescopes and tested them out inside the library with help from the Northwest Suburban Astronomers group.

The festivities didn't end there - on the second floor partygoers went on a trip to Mars, the moon and more using Google Expeditions, worked on arts and crafts projects like marshmallow constellations in the Hendrickson Room, and experienced the wonders of space first-hand inside the library's hand-made planetarium, one of the highlights of the day.

"It's been a lot of fun. I love that you have different activities to explore throughout the library," said Tammy DeMarco, who attended the Space Launch Party with her children. The family was impressed by many activities throughout the day, including the custom-built planetarium, which was made by the library's Summer Volunteer Squad teens.

"The planetarium was very cool," DeMarco said. "I loved how immersive it was. I loved how the stars changed; it was very soothing and beautiful."

The library's Earth from Space exhibit marks the 50th anniversary of the first man moon landing and showcases 20 satellite images created by Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service. It also gives visitors the opportunity to listen to the sounds of space and space travel, watch enlightening videos, and take photos using a space-themed photo backdrop.

"The pictures are beautiful [and] I like that it's hands-on," said Erin McLaughlin, who walked through the exhibit with her family during the party.

Visit Earth from Space during regular library hours from now through Sunday, August 11 on the first floor of the library. Earth from Space is brought to you courtesy of the United States Geological Survey and the Smithsonian Institution.

For more information about Summer Reading: It's Out There, visit ahml.info/summer.