Library Telescope Program

This program was started by New Hampshire Astronomical Society in 2008 when they started donating telescopes to New Hampshire libraries.  Under this program library patrons can check out a telescope (just like checking out a book) from the library.  New Hampshire Astronomical Society has placed telescopes in over 95 libraries across New Hampshire and also one in Port Townsend WA (2015).

Island County Astronomical Society implemented this program in 2014 and since has placed five telescopes in libraries in Skagit County.  At this time Oak Harbor Library and the Sno-Isle Library System have decided to not accept a telescope from us.  As of late 2015 Olympic Astronomical Society started placing telescopes in the Kitsap County Libraries.  Astronomy Clubs in other States have also picked up the program.  ​

An Orion 4.5 inch Star Blast tabletop astronomical telescope was chosen for the program for its quality and portability.  A zoom eyepiece is used giving variable power.  This telescope has the ability to view the moon, planets, stars and deep sky objects such as galaxies, clusters and nebulas.
In 2014, Mount Vernon City Library received the first telescope donated by Island County Astronomical Society.  It has been very well received and has a waiting list of a year until they got their second telescope.  We have placed telescopes in the libraries of the following cities in Skagit County:  Anacortes, Burlington, La Conner, Mount Vernon (2) and Sedro-Woolley.

Libraries with Telescopes Donated by
Island County Astronomical Society

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Instructional Videos

New Hampshire Astronomical Society has a wonderful set of short instructional videos on transportation and use of the library telescope

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