Fontana Regional Library staff recently received training, thanks to Knox Worde with Astronomy Club of Asheville, to use Orion StarBlast telescopes, available at all member libraries in Macon, Jackson, and Swain Counties. The telescopes may not be reserved but can be checked out for 7 days on a first come, first served basis.
The loaner telescope program is a partnership between Fontana Regional Library and the Asheville Astronomy Club and is also part of a larger Fontana Regional Library astronomy resources initiative, "Explore Space", supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the federal Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.
The "Explore Space" initiative will also provide access to a portable planetarium and educational activity kits, as well as books and DVDs for all ages. To find more information about the library's astronomy resources, visit Explore Space.