Books on astronomy are nothing new at the public library, but beginning soon, Fountain Hills Branch Library patrons will be able to check out a telescope for free.

One of three new Orion Starblast telescopes can be checked out like a book for up to seven days by patrons age 18 or older with a valid library card.

“I suspect that once people find out they can check out a telescope for a week, it’s going to be a very popular program,” said Vicki Novak, Fountain Hills Branch Library manager.

A Library Telescope Program has proven to be extremely popular in New Hampshire, where it started in 2008. At present, 96 libraries in New Hampshire provide telescopes to library patrons, and waiting lists are common.

“This particular telescope model was chosen since it has excellent optical quality but is easy to transport and use even for beginners,” said Ted Blank, a member of the Fountain Hills Astronomy Club, which is supporting the Library in this program. “We also hope to inspire children to have an interest in astronomy that stays with them for their whole lives.”

The three Orion Starblast telescopes were donated to the Library by Dr. Craig Gimbel, a Fountain Hills resident and member of the Astronomy Club, who previously donated his personal collection of telescopes to the library for use during their outdoor skywatch programs.

“Our area is blessed with beautiful night skies, so I wanted to create an opportunity for the entire community to be able to look to the sky, notice and enjoy,” said Dr. Gimbel.

Blank notes that Fountain Hills has an established background as friendly to amateur astronomers. He noted that Dr. Charles Juels, after a professional career as a psychiatrist, retired to Fountain Hills and pursued a noted career as an amateur astronomer.

Between 1999 and 2003 from his home observatory on a Fountain Hills hillside Juels identified 475 asteroids, including one named for Fountain Hills, which he discovered Nov. 30, 2000.

In 2003 Juels was the recipient of the Edgar Wilson Award for amateur comet discovery. He shared the award with Brazilian Paulo Holvorcem.

A formal presentation of the three new loaner telescopes to the library was held on Tuesday, June 23. Once training for the staff is completed the telescopes will be placed into circulation. Novak said there is no specific date to begin the program at this time.

Each of the telescopes will be equipped with a user manual, constellation guide, moon map, lens cleaner, and a special red night light for reading the instruction manual without dilating pupils.

For more information about the Library Telescope Program, visit the Fountain Hills Library website at www.mcldaz.org/fountainhills or call them at (602) 652-3000.