From left: Michelle Parker, Anna Jackson and Amanda McFarland model pairs of solar eclipse glasses, available at Warsaw Community Public Library beginning Tuesday, Aug. 1. (Photo provided)

By Amanda McFarland, Adult Programming Coordinator

WARSAW — The All-American Solar Eclipse is coming and Warsaw Community Public Library has just the thing to help community members enjoy it.

WCPL has applied for and received 1,000 pairs of Solar Eclipse glasses.

The glasses will be available at WCPL’s adult reference desk beginning Tuesday, Aug. 1. While 1,000 pairs may sound like a lot, they are expected to go quickly. Because of this, the library asks anyone interested in receiving a pair of glasses to come to the reference desk in person. Glasses will be limited to one pair per person on a first come, first serve basis.

Glasses will also be available during the “Learn about the Solar Eclipse” program, presented by the Warsaw Astronomical Society, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, and during the “Make a Pinhole Viewer” craft program at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16.

WCPL will also host a viewing party throughout the duration of the eclipse, from 1-4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21. Prime viewing time for the eclipse in Indiana will be around 2:20 p.m.

In case of overcast skies, the library will have live feed of the eclipse in Meeting Room A/B, so patrons can stop by to check its progress.

There are guidelines for using the glasses. First, make sure the lenses are not damaged. Also, make sure they fit securely so they do not fall off while you are looking at the sun. Finally, do not use the glasses to look at the sun through binoculars, a telescope without a certified solar filter or any other means of magnifying the sun or making it look closer.

Replacement of damaged glasses is not guaranteed, so users are asked to keep them in a safe place until the eclipse.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon’s shadow passes between the earth and the sun. On rare occasions, the moon blocks enough of the sun’s shadow that a total eclipse occurs. Indiana will experience a partial eclipse. No other part of the world will experience the eclipse that day, giving rise to the title, “The All-American Solar Eclipse.”