Outer space comes to Hampden this Wednesday

Date: 6/29/2009

HAMPDEN Children and adults are invited to the Hampden Public Library, 625 Main St., for a space resource night on June 30 and a magic show on July 1.

On June 30, the library welcomes Jan Kibbe, a Hampden resident and NASA-certified instructor, who will show participants all the exciting ways that they can learn about outer space. Did you know that the International Space Station can be seen overhead with the naked eye? Or that a new lunar orbiter was just launched this month to begin a mission to the moon? Kibbe has a wealth of knowledge to share in a friendly and engaging manner.

Participants will each receive a folder of useful space exploration information and a stargazing journal. This free program will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hampden Public Library and is designed for participants entering grades four and higher in the fall.

On July 1, children of all ages are invited for an hour of fun with Ed the Magician, also known as Ed Popielarczyck of Florence, Mass. Back by popular demand, Ed the Magician will entertain and amaze children with slights of hand and a good dose of laughter. This free, family-friendly event will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Hampden Town House Auditorium.

These events are part of the Massachusetts Summer Reading Program 2009, Starship Adventure @ Your Library, which is sponsored in part by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems and the Hampden Free Public Library. In addition, the June 30 program is supported in part by a grant from the Hampden Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

For more information about summer events at Hampden Library, call 566-3047 or visit www.hampden-library.org.