District Library to distribute free glasses to watch April 8 eclipse

The Belleville Area District Library will distribute the 500 special protective glasses it ordered so people can safely watch the April 8 solar eclipse.
Library Director Mary Jo Suchy said the library plans to distribute the glasses between noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, while supplies last.
She said they will be given out with the residents of the city of Belleville and Sumpter and Van Buren townships getting priority, with a limit of two pairs per family. People can identify themselves with a ID card or library card, she said.
Suchy told the library board members at their March 12 meeting that the staff is gearing up for the eclipse and a watch party will be held on April 8. The eclipse also will be live-streamed in the Cozadd Room.
She said if people have their eclipse glasses from the 2017 eclipse event at the library, they could use them, if they are not broken or messed up. She suggested people hold up the glasses to a light inside the house to see if everything is blacked out.
Once all the details of the April 8 event are worked out, the library will announce them on its website and social media.
On April 1, the library will host photographer Jessi McKenna, who will share some of her eclipse photographs as well as important tips and safety information for amateur photographers hoping to get their own photos of the big event.