Library Telescope

05/30/2026

Programming IDEA - straight outta our June What's Up Newsletter (not getting the newsletter you say? Drop us a note and we'll add you to the list)

Here's a fun Library Telescope CHALLENGE - this June package together Carl Sagan's novel Contact and/or the 1997 film Contact starring Jodie Foster as a check out bundle with your telescope and challenge patrons to find VEGA in the summer sky! Details below.

It's a great way to get kids and adults alike off their screens and out under the stars this summer!

05/23/2026

The Big Skies in Big Sky Country just got a whole lot closer!

✨🔭 UM has teamed up with NASA to bring telescopes to libraries across Montana. People across Big Sky Country will now be able to check out the telescopes to enjoy Montana’s amazing night skies.

Nick Wethington leads UM’s Big Sky, Bigger Dreams initiative. It was his dream to bring the joy of astronomy to rural areas of the state.

“Librarians believe that everyone should have free access to knowledge and resources,” he said. “A telescope that you can check out for free just like a book is a perfect crossover!”

Read the full story: bit.ly/UMteleNick

05/23/2026

🔭 Have you looked up lately?

Even a few minutes under the night sky can reveal amazing things — bright planets, star clusters, satellites, and constellations.

You don't need expensive equipment to enjoy astronomy - you can Check Out the Universe at your local library. Visit https://librarytelescope.org/locations/world to find a location near you.

Tell a friend!

05/01/2026

Check out this awesome permanent display idea from our friends at Springfield-Green County Public Library in Springfield MO. What a cool way to get some attention to their Library Telescopes!

Check them out at https://www.thelibrary.org/

04/12/2026

Enjoy this video from the Library Telescope Program’s booth at the 2026 Northeast` Astronomy Forum (NEAF). Huge thanks to volunteer Rich Dollish for coordinating the booth and to the members of the Library Telescope Task Force who helped support it throughout the event.

04/01/2026

Who's ready to go to space?!? Today is the day! Good luck to the Artemis II crew!

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

03/20/2026

Happy Spring Equinox!

On the March or Vernal equinox, the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere receive roughly equal amounts of sunlight; neither hemisphere is tilted more toward or away from the Sun than the other. This means day and night are nearly equal and it's also the official start of SPRING.

03/03/2026

We love it when libraries and space science education come together to make a difference!

“A family who recently moved to Jerseyville attended one of our Night Sky programs and quickly checked out our Library Telescope. They told us how excited they are to live in a community with a library that offers so much.”

Jerseyville Public Library - Illinois

02/24/2026

Look up on the morning of March 3rd! A "blood moon" lunar eclipse will turn the Moon a deep red as Earth’s shadow passes over it. Best part? It’s totally safe to watch with your eyes. Totality, where the coppery red color can appear, begins at 6:04am EST, add coffee to your grocery list this week!

02/05/2026

✨ Putting the Stars Within Reach ✨ The Library Telescope Program has partnered with ElevenLabs to leverage AI Voice Generation technology to narrate engaging content for our training and communication initiatives.
Photo Credit: St. Louis Public Library
St Louis Astronomy, St Louis Astronomical Society