The Brantford Public Library will be handing out 7,000 solar eclipse glasses in the lead up to the total eclipse on April 8, 2024.
The glasses will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, beginning March 4 at the Main Branch and March 5 at the St. Paul Branch.
People are welcome to take up to four pairs and a library membership is not required.
“A key principle for our Library is to offer barrier free access to information and services,” said Rae-Lynne Aramburo, Library CEO and Chief Librarian . “It’s incredible that we are able to provide this many pairs of glasses to our community at no cost.”
According to McMaster University’s Faculty of Science website, the April 8 eclipse is the area’s first total eclipse since 1925 and the next total eclipse will occur in the area in 2144.
The eclipse will begin at 2:03 p.m. and totality begins at 3:16 p.m. in the Brantford area.
While at the Library, people are invited to become members of the Brantford Public Library. Anyone living in Brantford, Brant County or Six Nations are able to become members the Brantford Public Library at no charge thanks to a reciprocal borrowing agreement that was established in 2019.
Members can get free and instant access to the latest editions of full digital magazines, such as Astronomy and National Geographic, through the Libby app. The Brantford Public Library also has more than 100 books about astronomy in its collection for people of all ages.
2023 was a banner year for the Library, with nearly 7,000 new members joining.
