Florence County Library to host “Visions of the Universe” Traveling Exhibit
COLUMBIA, SC – The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office announced that 40 US public libraries will host “Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery,” a traveling exhibition developed in cooperation with the Space Telescope Science Institute Office of Public Outreach and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory to mark the International Year of Astronomy in 2009.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has provided major funding for the exhibit. All libraries on the tour will receive $500 programming support stipends, $250 collection development stipends and additional materials to support library programming. The exhibit will be on display at the Florence County Public Library January 21 through March 27, 2009.
The International Astronomical Union proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy as an opportunity to create awareness of astronomy’s contributions to society and culture, stimulate young people’s interest in astronomy and science, portray astronomy as a global peaceful endeavor and nourish a scientific outlook in society. “Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery” focuses on astronomy through the ages—from Galileo’s initial findings to the latest results of the Hubble Space Telescope. The exhibit vividly illustrates 400 years of growth in our knowledge of not just planets, stars, nebulae and galaxies, but also the size and scale of the universe in both space and time.
The Space Telescope Science Institute Office of Public Outreach (OPO) is a world leader in astronomy presentation through news media Web sites, planetarium shows, museum exhibits, curriculum support materials, professional development and other educational resources. Among the award-winning Web sites created by the OPO are “Hubblesite”: http://hubblesite.org/ and “Amazing Space”: http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/.
For more information about “Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery,” and a list of selected libraries, visit www.ala.org/visionsoftheuniverse. For more information about the Florence County Public Library, visit www.florencelibrary.org. For more information about the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/index.cfm.