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Get your safety glasses ready for the April 8 solar eclipse | St. Tammany community news | nola.com

NASA reminds the public that thousands of libraries across the U.S. distribute safety-certified glasses to ensure safe viewing of an eclipse when the eyewear is properly worn.

NASA reminds the public that thousands of libraries across the U.S. distribute safety-certified glasses to ensure safe viewing of an eclipse when the eyewear is properly worn. Cotton Dotted Gloves

Last year, an annular solar eclipse graced the skies above the United States, and St. Tammany Parish residents were able to catch a glimpse of the celestial event — while wearing protective eyewear, that is. The library played an important role in providing a way for all residents to participate by offering free eclipse glasses.

As the eclipse date drew close last fall, the library was swamped with requests, and more than 10,000 glasses were distributed to St. Tammany residents. Anyone who got a pair of them for the 2023 eclipse — so long as the filters are still intact and undamaged — can use them again for the next eclipse on April 8.

However, if you lost your pair or never had any, you are still in luck.

The library will again distribute eclipse glasses at all branches from April 1-8, while supplies last. The protective glasses cannot be reserved and are in limited quantities, so make sure to stop by a local branch during the week of spring break and pick up a pair to safely view the upcoming total solar eclipse. 

And be sure not to miss this space event. According to NASA, after the total solar eclipse on April 8, there will not be another one like it visible from the U.S. mainland until 2044.

Friends of the Slidell Library will hold a book sale in the Slidell Branch meeting room, at 555 Robert Blvd., on April 5-6. The sale will feature subject-oriented Mystery Bags for $1. Magazines, foreign language books and large print titles will also be offered, along with a selection of Little Golden Books and several thousand books for all ages and interests, both fiction and nonfiction.

The first day is a members' only preview sale from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. That means only members can select books that day, but as always, memberships are available for sale or renewal at the door. April 6 will be the public sale, which is open to everyone. Annual memberships cost $5 for individuals, $8 for families. New and renewing members get one annual membership premium $5 gift certificate to be used during any FSL sale event in 2024. Cash or personal check payments only. 

The Friends’ used book sales, silent auctions and other special sale events help raise funds to purchase items for the Slidell, Lacombe, Pearl River and South Slidell libraries. For more information about FSL, activities and membership, email fsl70458@yahoo.com.

All St. Tammany Parish Library offices and branches will be closed on March 29-30 for the Easter holiday. They will reopen at their normal business hours on April 1.

SLEEPOVER: Children of all ages are invited to bring a stuffed animal for a special Stuffed Animal Sleepover on April 1 at the Madisonville Library from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There will be a story, a craft and snacks. Then, the children will leave their stuffed friends at the branch for their very own sleepover, then pick them up the next day and see pictures of all the sleepover fun they had. Pickup is between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on April 2. 

MERMAIDS: Families are invited to dive in to celebrate National Mermaid Day at the Lacombe Library on March 28 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Drop by for mermaid crafts, books, games and a scavenger hunt. Costumes are encouraged. Slidell Library at 555 Robert Blvd. will hold its own mermaid celebration on March 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

ASK A MASTER: Bring your home garden questions to local Master Gardener on April 2 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pearl River Branch. No registration is needed.

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