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A solar eclipse with a ring of light with the caption: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party, Monday, April 8th, 12:48-3:18 pm, MARC Lawn. Eclipse glasses, solar telescope, and fun provided. On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America. For millennia, solar eclipses have fueled the imagination of cultures around the world, inspiring myths, legends, and even fear. Ancient civilizations interpreted these events as omens, often associating them with the wrath of the gods or impending doom. Even today there is a viral TikTok video post claiming the April eclipse is sign of the end of the world. Nevertheless, as science advanced, so did our understanding of these phenomena. Today, solar eclipses serve as invaluable research opportunities, allowing scientists a chance to study the Sun's corona, the outer layer of its atmosphere, which is typically obscured by its brilliance. For non-scientists they are a rare occasion to experience the wonder and beauty of the universe.

A total eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. What is visible during a total eclipse depends on the location. Only in the area known as the “path of totality” will the Moon’s shadow completely cover the sun. When this happens, the sky darkens as if it were twilight, and often birds cease their chirping and the temperature cools significantly. Lengths of the period of totality vary from eclipse to eclipse. This year it will be about four minutes with a maximum length of totality of 4:28. The overall length of the eclipse will be about two and half hours. You can use NASA's Eclipse Explorer to follow the progress.

There are several stages that occur during an eclipse. The first state is the partial eclipse during which the Sun appears to have a crescent shape as the Moon passes between it and the Earth. Just before totality, shadow bands - wavy, dark lines - may appear on the ground or buildings. These are caused by particles in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Next is a short phase when the Sun’s rays stream through the valley’s along the Moon’s horizon causing bright spots known as Baily’s Beads. As these disappear, eventually only a single bright spot remains along the edge of the Moon’s shadow. This is known as the diamond ring effect. Finally, the eclipse reaches totality when there is no longer any direct sunlight. During totality, observers might glimpse the Sun’s chromosphere, characterized by a thin pink circle surrounding the Moon, and the corona, which presents as radiant white streams extending from the Sun's outer atmosphere. After totality the phases repeat in the opposite order.

Safety is key when viewing an eclipse. Solar viewing glasses can protect the eyes when looking directly at the sun. Indirect methods such as pinhole projectors create an image of the Sun on a surface where you can safely see the progress of the eclipse. Solar filters are needed for telescopes and binoculars. All these options will be available at the Library’s Eclipse Viewing Party on April 8 between 12:48 and 3:18pm on the MARC lawn. Dubuque is not on the path of totality but is relatively close so we should see some significant changes if the weather is good. Don’t miss this chance. The next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States won't be until August 23, 2044!

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Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights

Eleanor Roosevelt, was the longest serving First Lady of the United States as wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, but through her advocacy for human rights she also became known as “First Lady of the World.” Throughout her husband’s political career, she advocated for expanded rights of marginalized populations, whether African Americans and Asian Americans, poor laborers, or women. Following the death of President Roosevelt, Eleanor continued her activism, especially in her role as a United States delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.At the first meeting of the UN General Assembly, Roosevelt was asked to join a small commission tasked with recommending the structure and function of a permanent Human Rights Commission. Roosevelt was elected chair of the commission and remained chair when it became the permanent United Nations Commission on Human Rights. One of the central recommendations of the commission was that the Human Rights Commission’s first project should be the preparation of “an international bill of rights.” As Roosevelt stated, “Many of us thought that lack of standards for human rights the world over was one of the greatest causes of friction among the nations, and that recognition of human rights might become one of the cornerstones upon which peace could eventually be based.”The Universal Declaration on Human Rights was drafted between 1946 and 1948 by the Commission. The Commission began its work on the declaration of human rights by sending questionnaires to scholars and leaders throughout the world. The responses resulted in a diverse range of religious, philosophical, and legal perspectives but also a number of commonalities on which the Commission could build. A drafting committee was selected, initially consisting of Roosevelt along with Vice-Chairman P.C. Chang of the Republic of China and Committee Rapporteur Charles Malik of Lebanon, and Canadian lawyer John Humphrey of the UN Human Rights Division. The drafting committee was soon expanded to provide greater diversity. Multiple sessions were required first by the Drafting Committee and then by the Commission to develop the Declaration. Roosevelt, as Chair of the Commission and the Drafting Committee, played a central role, using her diplomatic skills to bridge ideological divides and rally support for the Declaration. When presenting it to the UN General Assembly, Roosevelt proclaimed: “We stand today at the threshold of a great event both in the life of the United Nations and in the life of mankind. This declaration may well become the international Magna Carta for all men everywhere.”On December 10, 1948, the UN General Assembly voted to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The final document consists of thirty articles outlining the basic rights and individual freedoms of all persons, and it built on the declaration that “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” Roosevelt remained in the UN until 1952 and continued to promote the Universal Declaration as well as advocate for the rights of women. After that she traveled both the US and world to continue her advocacy for adherence to the principles of the Universal Declaration. While her actions were admired by many, others were deeply critical. There were attacks on her character but also her life. The Ku Klux Klan placed a bounty on her head and there were multiple assassination attempts increased. Still she persisted. In 1958 Roosevelt wrote: “Where do human rights begin? In small places, close to home, so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person -- the neighborhood he lives in, the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.”To learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt and human rights check out our book display on the fourth floor and these e-books from our collection....

International Volunteer Day 2024

International Volunteer Day, December 5, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. This day honors the spirit of volunteerism and its crucial role in addressing the world’s challenges. For 2024, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program focuses on the vital role of volunteers in fostering sustainable development, highlighting community-driven solutions to global issues like climate change, inequality, and conflict.Volunteerism is a powerful tool for transforming societies. Each month, 862.4 million working-age (age 15 and over) volunteers dedicate their time and skills globally. About 6.5% of volunteers do so formally through organizations, while 14.3% do so informally, often initiated between individuals. Formal volunteers are more often men, whereas informal volunteers are more likely to be women. A significant number of people are involved in multiple types of volunteer work.Volunteerism fosters attitudes and behaviors that drive social, environmental, and economic change. It empowers individuals to become actors in local, national, and international development. By embodying values such as equity, compassion, solidarity, and respect, volunteers create meaningful impacts. Their contributions advance the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring inclusive growth and peace. The UNV program amplifies these efforts by collaborating with volunteers worldwide, emphasizing that lasting transformation begins with people-led initiatives.Celebrate International Volunteer Day by recognizing the commitment of volunteers everywhere. You can share volunteer stories on social media using #IVD2024. If you would like to find volunteer opportunities, you can contact Spiritual Life or Volunteer Dubuque. To learn more about volunteerism, check out the book display on the third floor. ...

Red Planet Day 2024

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National Aviation Month 2024

National Aviation Month is a time to celebrate pioneers who helped shape this field. Among these is Amelia Earhart, a trailblazing pilot, whose adventurous spirit and numerous achievements continue to inspire people around the world. Earhart not only set numerous flying records but also paved the way for women in a male-dominated field. Her legacy remains one of courage, determination, and advocacy for equality.Earhart’s interest in flying began in 1920, at the age of 23, when she had her first airplane ride while living in California. This inspired her to take flying lessons and within two years she had her pilot’s license and owned her own small plane. She then moved to Massachusetts where she worked as a social worker with immigrants in Boston while continuing to pursue her flying career. Earhart gained notoriety in when she was chosen to be a passenger on a transatlantic flight piloted by Wilmer Stultz and Louis Gordon, making her the first woman to cross the Atlantic in a plane. This was just the beginning of her aviation achievements. In 1931 she flew to the record-setting altitude of 18,415 feet. In 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. For this feat she was awarded, among other honors, the Army Air Corps Distinguished Flying Cross and an Honorary Membership in the British Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators. Later in 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo and nonstop across the United States. In 1935 she became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific and thus also the first person to fly over both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Earhart spoke extensively about her flying adventures and also wrote several books. Beyond her flying achievements, Earhart was an advocate for women’s equality. Recognizing the lack of support and resources for women pilots, she co-founded the Ninety-Nines, an organization dedicated to promoting women in aviation; she served as its first president. Additionally, as a visiting professor at Purdue University, she encouraged women to pursue careers in engineering and science, empowering them to envision new opportunities in traditionally male-dominated fields. By 1936, the one aviation achievement she had not yet achieved was flying around the world, so she began to make plans to do so. She stated, “I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system, and I hope this trip is it. Anyway, when I have finished this job, I mean to give up long-distance ‘stunt’ flying.” Earhart began the 29,000-mile journey in 1937 with her navigator, Fred Noonan. They had covered nearly 22,000 miles when they reached New Guinea. Their next stop was Howland Island, but on the way she and Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. The Itasca, a US Coast Guard cutter near Howland Island, received a radio transmission on July 2, “KHAQQ calling Itasca. We must be on you but cannot see you... gas is running low...” The Itasca eventually lost contact and began search operations. Despite an extensive search, the plane was never found. It is generally presumed they ran out of fuel, crashed into the ocean, and died near Howland Island. The mystery of Earhart’s disappearance continues to capture the imagination of explorers. In January, Deep Sea Vision, a South Carolina-based team, said it had captured a sonar image in the Pacific Ocean that “appears to be Earhart’s Lockheed 10-E Electra” aircraft. However, earlier this month the team was able to do more extensive scans and discovered what they found was a rock formation. So while the mystery of her death remains, the more important story is not how she died, but how she lived.To learn more about Amelia Earhart and aviation history, please check out these books and visit the books display on the fourth floor. ...

Solar Eclipse

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