Library working to get innovative

When you think about the library, you might think of our love of books. That is correct — we do love books. We also love science! Throughout the month of April, Cumberland County Public Library will celebrate science as a part of the North Carolina Science Festival.

The North Carolina Science Festival is a month-long, statewide celebration of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). This year’s theme, “State of Innovation,” was selected to celebrate the ways in which North Carolina is leading the way in technology and innovation.

Throughout April, all eight library locations will hold STEAM programs for children and teens, to include:

• Chaos Creators STEAM Club – Cliffdale Regional Library, 6682 Cliffdale Rd., Fayetteville
• I.Y. Miniature Golf Course in the Library – Bordeaux Library, 3711 Village Dr., Fayetteville
• Terrific Tuesdays – North Regional Library, 855 McArthur Rd., Fayetteville
• Just in Slime: Edible Marshmallow Slime – West Regional Library, 7469 Century Circle, Fayetteville

Check out the full list of programs on the library’s online calendar at https://cumberland.librarycalendar.com, or call 910-483-7727 for dates and times.

In addition to STEAM activities during April, the library is one of 36 host sites for the North Carolina Science Festival’s annual Star Party. The theme this year will be “Sun & Moon”, selected to celebrate the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8.

The Hope Mills Community Branch will host a Star Party at 3:30 p.m. on April 5. The library is located at 3411 Golfview Rd., Hope Mills. At the Star Party, enjoy engaging STEAM activities for the whole family, learn about the upcoming solar eclipse and explore the library’s new robotics toys.

Joe Kabbes, manager of Fayetteville State’s Planetarium and Observatory, will attend the Star Party with a solar telescope that allows safe viewing of the sun.

During your library visits, be sure to check out science books from our collection to continue your learning and experimenting at home. In addition to books, Science Online allows online exploration of all things science including biographies of scientists, experiments, essays and diagrams on nearly any science topic imaginable. Science Online can be accessed through the library’s website, https://cumberlandcountync.gov/library and look under the Resources & Research tab.

We hope you are ready to get innovative this April. See you at the library!