OK, I understand that the StarBlast 4.5 is now the property of the Moran
Prairie Library, but I thought that the telescope could simply be "seatbelted"
into the front seat of a car, and not need a "protective case" at all. Didn't
they view the New Hampshire Astronomical Society's video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZvQ8EVolek ? I'm looking at the StarBlast I
got recently, and it's not at all "fragile". That's why the NHAS picked it for
the "Library Telescope Program" in the first place....
________________________________
From: sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of
jenny@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <jenny@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 3, 2017 2:04 PM
To: sas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [SAS] Re: SAS's Orion Starblast 4.5 (Donated to Moran Prairie)
Awaiting "Case" Before Loan-Out
Hello David,
Six weeks is not that long. It took Shadle library a few months before
they first loaned out the telescope, for example. They chose to have
each librarian use the scope for a week or two, as well as keep it out
of circulation until some scope use presentations were provided by the
club.
When we gave the telescope to Moran Prairie, we also advised that they
allow the librarians to first take home the scope and try it out so they
could better understand how it works and anticipate user questions.
Considering the skies didn't really clear up until a few weeks ago, it
appears they would be right on schedule for finishing up that part.
It's important to remember that these telescopes do not belong to the
club once we give them to the library. We are not "baby sitting" them,
per se, we are just available to help if need be. The person that
volunteers for each library can handle follow up with the librarians.
The scopes are now in the ownership of the library, not the club, and it
is up to them to determine how best to use the scopes to serve their
library users.
-Jenny
On 2017-07-03 14:38, David Luders wrote:
Be advised that the Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro telescope (donated to
the Moran Prairie Branch of the Spokane County Library District) still
has not been "loaned out" to anyone. A quick search of their online
SCLD Catalog turned up no telescope, so I sent them a message via
their Facebook page (see below). Although I had nothing to do with
the telescope's modification and donation during the May 13, 2017
event at Moran Prairie, I am heartened by the Library Telescope
Program. In fact, I procured another Orion Starblast 4.5 + Celestron
8-24mm Zoom Eyepiece (for another library donation), if somebody from
SAS would be willing to modify it in the same fashion suggested by the
New Hampshire Astronomical Society ( http://nhastro.com/ltp.php [1] ;).
Could the "parents" of the Moran Prairie telescope contact the library
to get it a "protective case", so that it can be utilized by the
general public? I have seen other libraries simply place the Orion
Starblast in a big Rubbermaid container full of pillows....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
David Luders [2] "It's been over 1-1/2 months since the Spokane
Astronomical Society donated a $300 Orion Starblast 4.5 telescope to
the Moran Prairie Library for loan-out -- when will it be added to the
catalog so that folks can check it out? There was a lot of time and
effort put into the telescope modifications, and it's (apparently) met
with indifference by SCLD...."
· Reply [3] · 21 hrs [4] __ [3]
[5]
Spokane County Library District [5] " Hello, David. The telescope was
provided without a protective case. We have reached out to other
libraries to see what cases may offer the protection and durability we
are looking for so that the telescope isn't damaged during travel
while checked out. We can promise that it isn't indifference but care
and caution that is going into the solution for this problem. If you
would like to discuss details or offer suggestions, you are welcome to
call us at 509-893-8200."
Links:
------
[1] http://nhastro.com/ltp.php
[2] https://www.facebook.com/david.luders.7?rc=p
[3]
https://www.facebook.com/SpokaneCountyLibraryDistrict/posts/10155355478007189?comment_id=10155639460867189&reply_comment_id=10155642097057189&notif_t=feed_comment&notif_id=1499096191669676#
[4]
https://www.facebook.com/SpokaneCountyLibraryDistrict/posts/10155355478007189?comment_id=10155639460867189&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D
[5] https://www.facebook.com/SpokaneCountyLibraryDistrict/?rc=p
