Telescope Loan Program

Library Telescope Program_web

About the Library Telescope Program

The New Hampshire Astronomical Society began the Library Telescope Program in 2008. Since then, the program has grown to include more than 16 libraries in New Hampshire. The Astronomy Enthusiasts of Lancaster County wanted to engage in a similar program with the Lititz Public Library. Using the NHAS program as a model, the AELC selected the StarBlast 4.5 inch Astronomical Telescope for the library, along with a zoom eye piece and supportive material. The telescope is easy to use and robust. There is nothing to assemble. It has a wooden base, not the usual spindly tripod legs. The telescope is of manageable size, but has a relatively large optical tube. This means that the Moon and deep sky objects will show far more detail than one could see with the common beginner’s telescope. It also has a large field of view that allows the object to stay in the in the eyepiece longer.

Our goal: To help foster scientific literacy and to stimulate interest in astronomy, enable people who have never looked through a telescope the chance to experience the excitement that comes from discovery and to provide a valuable asset for the library community!

Telescope to Loan Kit

Kit includes:
•Orion Starblast 4.5: 4.5” altazimuth reflector tabletop telescope
•Accessories bag containing:

– Constellations pocket guide

– Instruction Manual

– Quick Start guide

– Flashlight

– Lens pen (brush)

– Lens pen instruction card

– 2 double A batteries

Borrowing Policy

Patrons age 18 and older, may borrow the telescope kit for a one week period, with an option to renew for another week, using their library card. Fines and Fees: A fee of $5 per day will be charged if the telescope is overdue. A replacement fee of $500 will be charged if the telescope is damaged beyond repair or lost. Contact the Diane Guscott at 626-2255 or dguscott@lititzlibrary.org to arrange to check-out the telescope kit.

“The best thing that we’re put here for’s to see; The strongest thing that’s given us to see with’s a telescope. Someone in every town seems to me owes it to the town to keep one. In Littleton it may as well be me.”

-Excerpt from The Star-Splitter, a poem by Robert Frost

The Astronomy Enthusiasts of Lancaster County

The Astronomy Enthusiasts of Lancaster County meet at the Lititz Public Library on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. If you are just starting out in astronomy and would like to learn your way around the night sky or if you are a seasoned amateur astronomer and would like to share your experiences and skills, you are sure to find friends among the Astronomy Enthusiasts of Lancaster County. The club also holds monthly observing sessions at a local dark sky site when the weather permits. The AELC is a member of the Astronomical League, a national organization of amateur astronomers and International Dark Sky Association. For more information about AELC, visit their website at http://www.aelc.us/.