On April 8, 2024, citizens of the continental United States will witness a solar eclipse.
A section of Ohio will be in the path of totality, meaning those within that track will see a total solar eclipse, and weather permitting, it will be a great spectacle to behold.
While Alliance is not within that path, it is very close.
To help area residents prepare for the event, Rodman Public Library has four programs planned – two designed for children and two others that are geared to adults and teens, but certainly family friendly.
On April 8, 2024, citizens of the continental United States will witness a solar eclipse.
A section of Ohio will be in the path of totality, meaning those within that track will see a total solar eclipse, and weather permitting, it will be a great spectacle to behold.
While Alliance is not within that path, it is very close.
To help area residents prepare for the event, Rodman Public Library has four programs planned – two designed for children and two others that are geared to adults and teens, but certainly family friendly.
Registration is required to attend each of these free programs that will all be held inside the Main Auditorium.
EXPLORING ECLIPSES
Jodi McCullough is no stranger to solar eclipses.
A professor of astronomy at Mount Union, McCullough and her husband have attended five solar eclipses – one annular and several partial eclipses. And they have the photos to prove it.
Ahead of the April 8 eclipse in which Alliance is close to the area of totality, the couple will share their photographs with library patrons on Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m.
McCullough will also discuss the causes of eclipses and their rarity as well as detail the path of the 2024 event.
She will include information on how to safely view it and how to take photographs using cell phones or cameras with solar glasses and filters. She will also share a free app to capture the eclipse with a cell phone and a free program to process photos.
SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024 
“Solar Eclipse 2024,” open to children and their families, will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27.
During the program, an astronomer educator from the Wilderness Center in Wilmot will explain the rare and beautiful phenomenon of a solar eclipse, detailing why they happen, the path of totality and how to safely view them.
A GLIMPSE AT ECLIPSES AND THE DEATH OF STARS
Stark County native Alex Clevinger will present “A Glimpse at Eclipses and the Life Cycles of Stars” at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 1 in the Main Auditorium.
Clevinger, a graduate of Lake High School and Otterbein University, is a fourth-year doctoral student at Kent State University. He will talk about the basics of solar eclipses, explaining how and why they happen, and what to expect on April 8.
As an added bonus, Clevinger will also discuss his fascinating work related to the study stars, especially the process in how they die.
GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE 
On Tuesday, April 2 at 6 p.m., Dr. Dave of Whiz Bang Science will entertain children and their families with the “Great American Eclipse Show.”
Dr. Dave will talk about what an eclipse is and orbital mechanics, using a scale model of the solar system using everyday items. He will also talk about the reaction of ancient people to the Moon with a fun brainstorm experiment.
He will describe what to look for during the eclipse and explain how to safely view the event.
With lots of experiments throughout the show, Dr. Dave tries to use as many volunteers as he can with his goal is to get youngsters excited about science and the eclipse.
BOOKMOBILE AT BUTLER-RODMAN WATCH PARTY
The Rodman Public Library Bookmobile will be passing out a limited number of eclipse glasses at a watch party being held by the Alliance Parks at Butler-Rodman Park on the afternoon of the eclipse.
ECLIPSE GLASSES
The library is offering a limited number of eclipse glasses at both the Main Library and the Branch, starting on Monday, April 1.
These are available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Glasses will only be given to those present at the location at the time of pickup.