The Richmond Library has been busy giving away glasses and preparing for today’s eclipse for several weeks.
According Community Services Librarian Leslie DeLooze, about 300 people showed up to pick up viewing glasses at the Richmond Library today and about 200 stayed to enjoy the afternoon on the lawn, bringing their blankets, lawn chairs, games and books, there was even a food truck on site.
The library gave out a total of 1,000 pairs of viewing glasses leading up to the event.
Justine McMillen of Batavia brought her three boys Joshua, Samuel and Elijah to a grassy area about 1:00 p.m. to read up on the eclipse and then enjoy the view with a special paper plate version of viewing glasses that she discovered on a blog. They shared their paper plate version with others at the viewing and most people thought they were easy to use.
“I could not have asked for better weather and a better community picnic than this,” says Kelly March, Library Assistant/Children’s room, who helped get the glasses and organize the event.
“This is the kind of event the Library was made for,” says Robert Conrad, Library Director.
Conrad says all of the staff, including the custodians, helped out with answering phones and getting people glasses.
“It’s wonderful the community turned out to share.”