The public libraries in Wyandotte County have special events planned today for the solar eclipse.
The libraries are including viewing parties today for the public, according to a library spokesman. All five Kansas City, Kansas, Public Libraries, plus one mobile library, have plans for watching the solar eclipse.
The spokesman said the KCK Public Libraries still have a limited number of solar eclipse glasses left that will be handed out to those attending the viewing parties. The number of glasses varies by branch, with bigger branches having 200 glasses, and smaller ones, 75 or 100.
The KCK Public Libraries plan to close their buildings at 12:30 p.m. and reopen at 1:30 p.m., to allow those attending to go outside to watch the eclipse, the spokesman said. There has been a lot of interest from the public in advance of these events, she said.
In addition, the Bonner Springs City Public Library, in a different library system, also has a solar eclipse viewing event today.
The weather looks cloudy, according to the National Weather Service, so the clouds could affect the ability to see the eclipse in Wyandotte County. It is also possible for the weather to break and viewers to see a glimpse of the eclipse, according to the weather service. Residents have been advised not to look directly at the eclipse or the sun without special eclipse glasses.
Wyandotte County is on the edge of an area that will see a total eclipse. Part of Wyandotte County is in the partial eclipse area, while parts of the county on the north side are in the path of totality, according to a NASA map. The total eclipse in parts of the north part of the county will last a few seconds to less than 30 seconds, for most areas inside the total area in Kansas City, Kansas.
While times of the eclipse vary slightly from place to place, the start of the partial eclipse in Wyandotte County is about 11:40 a.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring shortly after 1 p.m. In many places here the maximum eclipse time will be 1:06 to 1:08 p.m. The approximate end of the partial eclipse in Wyandotte County will be about 2:35 p.m., according to information from the NASA eclipse map.
The time varies slightly as the eclipse passes from west to east, and it is advisable to get to a viewing place early.
The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Libraries have events planned at their branch locations today, according to a spokesman.
The events include some viewing parties at the libraries, plus some of them will have programs in advance of the eclipse. The libraries have educational displays, information and have solar eclipse glasses, while supplies last.
The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Libraries will close from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. so patrons and staff may go outdoors and watch the eclipse, according to an announcement. The viewing parties will be outdoors next to the libraries.
The Main Kansas City, Kansas, Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., which is in the path of totality according to the NASA map, has a total eclipse party at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, in the youth services story time- craft room. This program will feature stories about the sun and solar system, with information about the eclipse. Those participating will make “glow in the dark slime” before they go outside to experience the eclipse.
At 11 a.m., the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Environmental Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road, will offer the opportunity to make sun crafts and go on a solar system scavenger hunt. Beginning at 1:02 p.m., patrons will watch the eclipse using special safety glasses. The first 100 patrons will receive eclipse glasses.
The West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd St., will hold a solar eclipse viewing party at 12:30 p.m. on the children’s lawn of the library. All ages are welcome. Those participating should bring a blanket, and the library will provide snacks and glasses, as supplies last.
The South Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 3104 Strong Ave., has educational information about the eclipse on display and also has plans to go outdoors to view the eclipse.
The Turner Community Library, 831 S. 55th, will have the opportunity to make solar and lunar crafts before a solar eclipse viewing party at 12:30 p.m.
Registration is not required for the library programs. For more information, visit www.kckpl.org.
The Bonner Springs City Library, which is in a different library system, has an eclipse program planned at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 21. For more information, see http://bonnerlibrary.org/darkness-at-mid-day/.
For an earlier story about the eclipse here, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/kck-tourism-officials-preparing-for-solar-eclipse/.