Poplar Creek Public Library celebrates the solar eclipse

The Poplar Creek Public Library District, in Streamwood, celebrated the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, at the main branch of the library, 1405 S. Park Ave. Library patrons were treated to rare chance to view the celestial event first-hand using telescopes provided by Poplar Creek’s Library of Extraordinary Things collection.

The solar eclipse, last seen in Illinois in 2017, reached 93% coverage of the sun in Streamwood. A lively crowd gathered at Poplar Creek for a viewing party. People lined up in the library’s parking lot, some in lawn chairs, while others waited to use the library telescope’s filtered lens for viewing. In addition to the outdoor viewing party, the library hosted a screening of NASA’s online live stream of the solar eclipse in the main meeting room. This provided an educational and immersive experience for patrons, allowing them to witness the eclipse’s journey across the United States and Canada.

Poplar Creek Public Library District’s Library of Extraordinary Things contains a varied selection of items that patrons can check out, including kitchen gadgets, electronics, telescopes and more. The library’s telescopes were outfitted with protective filters allowing for close-up views of the eclipse for those in attendance with eclipse glasses.

For information about the Library of Extraordinary Things collection or to see a list of upcoming events and programs at Poplar Creek Public Library District, visit pclib.org.