Submitted by the San Juan Island Library

The Aug. 21 solar eclipse was a truly wonderful experience. So what now?

If you have left over glasses, drop them by the San Juan Island Library. The library is coordinating with Astronomers without Borders to give used eclipse glasses a second chance through a voluntary collection program. AWB has partnered with Explore Scientific to send the glasses to schools in South America and Asia for when solar eclipses cross those continents in 2019.

The San Juan Island Library recently registered with AWB as a collection site for eclipse glasses. We have a collection basket at the front of the Library for your gently used glasses. If the glasses are scratched or torn or if the glasses are of questionable integrity, please simply remove the filter lenses and recycle the paper portion. Glasses in good working condition, however, can be dropped off at the Library for re-purposing.

AWB will be coordinating the collection of eclipse glasses and ensure that the glasses are certified as safe and are properly stored. AWB’s corporate partner Explore Scientific will be receiving, processing, and storing the glasses for distribution at a later date.

For more information about AWB and the eclipse glasses donation program, you can visit their website: www.astronomerswithoutborders.org. For more information about San Juan Island Library and our variety of programs and resources, visit www.sjlib.org.

According to AWB, “boundaries vanish when we look skyward. We all share the same sky, and Astronomers without Borders brings the world together to share our passion of astronomy and the wonders of the Universe. In the process of looking outward together, we learn about each other and create lasting bonds, regardless of country or culture.”