UPDATE – Safe Eclipse Glasses Available Free at Northumberland Library, 8/19

UPDATE! The 200 pairs of eclipse glasses to be given away by NAPS have all been distributed. By 9AM, over 100 people were lined up outside the library, and the entire supply was exhausted in a mere 13 minutes, despite a "1 per person" rule. "I wish we had more glasses to give away," said NAPS President Mike Ahart. Some people reported that every store they called from Tappahannock to Gloucester was sold out – even Amazon was a no-go.

Original article posted Aug. 11, 2017:

As the solar eclipse of 2017 nears, eye specialists have warned about fake or substandard eclipse viewing glasses on the market. In response to these concerns, the Northumberland Assn. for Progressive Stewardship (NAPS) and the Northumberland Public Library in Heathsville have partnered to make certified safe glasses available at no charge.

NAPS has purchased the glasses and the library is setting up a place at the front desk to distribute them as long as supply lasts. The glasses have viewing instructions on the inside.

“These glasses are ISO-12312-2 compliant and CE certified for direct observation of the sun. They are sold by a manufacturer on the American Astronomical Society’s safe list,” said NAPS President Mike Ahart

The eclipse viewing glasses will be available at the library, located at 7204 Northumberland Highway (Rte. 360) in Heathsville, on Saturday, August 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Monday, August 21, the day of the eclipse in the Northern Neck area, at 9 a.m. The eclipse may be viewed from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

“We are pleased to be partnered with NAPS and I hope that school kids will take advantage of this unique opportunity,” commented Cherie Carl, Library Director.

According to Ahart, NAPS may organize an informal “viewing party” at an appropriate location.

By coincidence on Thursday, August 10, Jim Schmalz presented a guide on how to view the eclipse safely. And proper glasses was one of the important points.

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