Space exhibit blog

The Gail Borden Public Library now has an official exhibit blog: Space: Dare to Dream.

Space exhibit this summer

This summer's exhibit at the library is called Space: Dare to Dream (presented in collaboration with NASA). It runs from June 2 to September 23 (press release).

Right now, the library lobby is full of boxes, cases, and padded moving blankets. More cases and exhibit panels are in the rotunda and other areas of the library. It's all has to be set up over the next week in time for the June 1st preview and June 2nd opening.

Here's a short list of what's in the exhibit:

Saturn V simulator.

Galileo's Studio.

Forest of Dreams (multimedia presentation).

Ancient Cosmology (exhibit panels).

Space Exploration (timeline walls).

Space shuttle inflatable.

Space suit display for photo taking.

A real Moon rock.

Scale models.

Rare meteorites (on loan from Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art).

Clyde Tombaugh's homemade telescope (1927).

Hands-on interactive science displays (on loan from SciTech Hands-On Museum).

I wish I could take tons of pictures of the exhibit being assembled, as I did for the dinosaurs. For instance, in the lobby where Jobaria was, there is right now a large thing covered with blankets and wrapped in shrinkwrap that is labelled, "Gantry," that I think would make a good picture. Alas, I have no camera this summer. If anyone has pictures they'd like to send, I'll post them here--or tell me where they're posted and I'll link to your page.

The auction is tonight

Wha...?

Dinos on Parade

Sorry about the long break. I didn't intend to stay away from the blog for quite as long as I did. (Good grief, has it really been almost three months?)

I have photos from several events (including Dr. Sereno's November 4 lecture) I'll upload very soon as I try to catch up.

In the meantime, some news about the Dinos on Parade: Emily the Branta Canadensis, which disappeared from its location at Elgin Community College in mid October, was found a few days later at Wing Park, in the band shell, safe and sound.

Most of the Dinos--including Emily--were moved from their locations around town back to the library in late October and early November. About 18 or so of them are lined up along the north-south corridor on the second floor.

If you didn't get around to seeing them on site, this may be your last chance to see most of them. On Friday, December 2, from 7:30pm to 10pm, the Dinos on Parade will be auctioned to the public.

From the Gail Borden Public Library website: Tickets for this fun night which begins at 7:30 p.m.are $25 which covers beverages, appetizers, desserts, steel drum music and an opportunity to be the winning bidder for a Dino. The tickets may be purchased at the dinosTaur gift shop in the library. Raffle tickets for gifts that include a Dr. Sereno Lab Tour package for 12 Grand Prize, a dino quilt and tabletop dinos are also available for $10 each or five for $40. They can also be purchased at the dinosTaur. (Tickets for the Auction and Raffle can be purchased by cash or check.) Proceeds from the auction and raffle will benefit Gail Borden Public Library Foundation activities such as support for GIANTS.

In addition, a portion of the auction proceeds will be sent to the Jefferson Parish Library System in Metarie, Louisiana. Nine of fifteen of the Jefferson System libraries were devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

More news and lots more photos later this week.

One of our dinosaurs is missing

ECC investigating missing dinosaur, by Ted Schnell. The Courier-News, October 16, 2005.

"The disappearance of Emily the Branta Canadensis, a fiberglass replica of a dinosaur painted to resemble a Canada goose, is being treated seriously, said Denise Raleigh, the head of marketing and and public information at Gail Borden Public Library. 'I just hope that we get her back in one piece,' Raleigh said Saturday afternoon. 'It's one of our nicest pieces.' According to Raleigh, an Elgin police officer assigned to ECC discovered Friday afternoon that Emily was missing from her cement pad between Lake Spartan and the ECC Administration Building on the college's campus. Raleigh said it is unclear whether Emily's disappearance is some sort of prank or a case of outright theft." [More]

Summer Reading Program Final Event

Every year, kids who finish the Youth Department's Summer Reading Program win a ticket to Final Event. This year's Final Event was on Friday night, September 2nd, and was centered around the dinosaurs. A gazillion kids and their parents were there. (Photos by dr)

Gala fundraiser

The Gala Fundraiser, attended by about 230 people, took place on September 1st at the library. (Photos by dr)

Docent training begins

On August 30, volunteer docent training began. Here, the first group are in the tour part of the training.

Looking for photos

I dropped the ball and forgot the Youth Department's Summer Reading Program Final Event was on Friday night. I hear a gazillion kids attended. Does anyone have any photos to share? I know the official photographer was there, but I'm looking for pictures taken by regular people. My email is elgindinosaurs at gmail dot com.

Also, there was a Fundraising Gala on Thursday night. Does anyone have any pictures from that?

Once I find out details about both events I'll post about them.


Speaking of photos: the library's website has added a very nice slide show about installing the dinosaurs.