The 2023 Library Telescope Giveaway

Courtesy of the Omaha Astronomical Society

Mike Modrcrin, Outreach Coordinator with the Omaha Astronomical Society (OAS) recently reached out to Northwest and Southwest District Offices with this news.  The OAS is pleased to announce its 2023 Library Telescope Giveaway.

Through a grant from the HDR Foundation, OAS is able to provide 50 telescopes and zoom eyepieces to public libraries in Northwest Iowa, Southwest Iowa, and Nebraska, enabling these libraries to launch their own Library Telescope Program. This program is only available to public libraries in the above geographic areas, school libraries are not eligible at this time.

Mike Modrcrin explains more: "the Orion StarBlast 4.5 and 7-21mm zoom eyepiece we are providing will form the core of a Library Telescope Program STEM Kit. To complete the kit, each library that is awarded a telescope and eyepiece will need to purchase a couple of accessory items. These items are a fanny pack, star atlas, and a red light headlamp.  The total cost of these accessories is under $50.00  Additionally, a user manual can be downloaded and printed by libraries in the telescope program."

Applications for the Library Telescope Program need to be completed and returned to [email protected]  by October 1st. If more than 50 applications are received, then libraries will be selected by random drawing at the Omaha Astronomical Society general meeting on October 6th. The meetings are open to the public and can be streamed via Zoom for anyone interested in attending. Send an email to [email protected]  for meeting information.

About the Library Telescope Program

The Library Telescope Program was started in 2008 by members of the New Hampshire Astronomical Society. The goal of the program is to place high quality, easy to use telescopes into the collections of public libraries where they can be checked out just like a book. The small and sturdy 4.5in reflecting telescopes recommended for the program are simple to operate and rugged enough to endure in a public setting.  Since OAS started its involvement, the club has helped launch almost 30 telescope programs.

Application Instructions

The application is a PDF document linked via Google Drive at the button below.  To apply: download or print the PDF, write in all required fields, and rescan the completed document.  Attach your completed PDF to an email, then send to   [email protected]   Deadline is October 1st

Application: 2023 Library Telescope Giveaway