18th Annual Lights On Afterschool

Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities.

This year afterschool-library partnerships are being celebrated as a theme for Lights On Afterschool! Highlight a partnership you already have, or partner with an afterschool program for the first time for a Lights On event, October 26.

Watch Recorded Webinar

International Observe The Moon Night

InOMN is an annual worldwide celebration of lunar and planetary science. Tens of thousands of people participate each year, from 98 countries and 49 U.S. states (and counting!).

You and your library are invited to join this world-wide celebration by hosting an InOMN event on one day each year to look at and learn about our Moon together. This year’s celebration is on October 28th.

InOMN encourages observation, appreciation, and understanding of our Moon and its connection to NASA planetary science and exploration. Everyone on Earth is invited to join the celebration by hosting or attending an InOMN event — and uniting on one day each year to look at and learn about the Moon together.

Register Your Event Today!

All Across America, Afterschool
Programs Love Their Libraries!

According to a newly released study from the Afterschool Alliance, nearly three-quarters of those surveyed reported that they were working with their local public library in diverse ways, from literacy initiatives to book lending programs and STEM activities. For these findings and more, read the full report, which was commissioned by STAR Net.

If you are one of the many libraries currently working with an afterschool program, celebrate your partnership by participating in the 18th annual Lights On Afterschool. To learn more, check out STAR Net’s event page today.

Read the Full Report

Date: Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Time: 4pm EDT / 3pm CDT / 2pm MDT / 1pm PT

Join STAR Net and Brian Day, NASA’s Lead for Citizen Science and Community Development at the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, to learn more about ways to integrate this event into your library’s programming!

For those that are unable to attend the live webinar, we will have a recording posted on our website within a day or two after the live presentation.

Register for This Webinar

Date: Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Time: 3pm EST / 2pm CST / 1pm MST / 12pm PST

Hunting for activities for your library’s next STEM program? Look no further! Hands-on Fun with STAR Net will highlight several different hands-on activities from the STEM Activity Clearinghouse that were designed with the library setting in mind. Whether you are new to STEM programming or are already a “STEM Superstar”, we hope you will join us for tips, techniques, and loads of fun!

For those that are unable to attend the live webinar, we will have a recording posted on our website within a day or two after the live presentation.

Register for This Webinar

From this list we randomly selected 5 people (see list below) that will receive a printed and autographed copy of the popular childrens book, When The Sun Goes Dark, written by Andrew Fraknoi and Dennis Schatz.

• Lisa Crutchfield, St. Paris Public Library
• Catherine Yesak, Goodland Township Library
• Brenda Kizziar, Ward County Library
• Kim Roppolo, Stephentown Memorial Library
• Janette Larson, Harris County Public Library

Congratulations and we'll be in contact soon!

LibraryAware Community Award
The LibraryAware Community Award emphasizes the library’s engagement with the community and will recognize a library or library system that has demonstrated its ability to make its community “aware” of what the library can do for it—and has delivered on that promise. The award will be given by Library Journal, the oldest and most respected U.S. library publication, and funded by LibraryAware, a product of EBSCO Publishing’s NoveList Division.

Hands-on STEM: Moon in Action

International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN) is fast approaching and will be a great opportunity to discuss and observe Earth’s nearest neighbor with your patrons.

STAR Net’s STEM Activity Clearinghouse features an entire collection of lunar activities that will help make your library’s InOMN programming a hit! Try Moon in Action, which provides a comprehensive guide with numerous resources (such as maps, hand-outs, background information, and more) to help facilitate a successful lunar observation.

Make sure to leave an activity review so other librarians know what worked well for you!