We now have a full size telescope available for 1-week loan! If you’d like to check the telescope out, just contact the library at sharonbaxterlibrary@gmail.com or call us at (802)763-2785. 

If you intend to borrow the telescope (or if you already have), please watch the following video about telescope use and care. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XiP5FU0NmOk%3Fstart%3D22

This video was created by the New Hampshire Astronomical Society. If you have further questions about using or caring for Baxter Memorial Library’s telescope, please email sharonbaxterlibrary@gmail.com.

The library’s telescope, like the telescope in the videos, is an Orion Funscope 4.5″ table top Reflector Telescope. You can find out more about this telescope and view a copy of the manual on Orion’s website.

Here are some viewing tips from the New Hampshire Astronomical Society:

---

Is your home cold or unevenly heated?  Stop by to borrow the FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera made available by the Sharon Energy Commission.  Many homes have a far higher rate of air leakage than necessary, but the sources of heat loss are often invisible to the naked eye. With thermal imaging, you can easily uncover the source of heat issues and make repairs to stop energy loss. The FLIR camera has a 1-week checkout period.

---

Pullerbears

The Pullerbear Tree and Invasive Weed Puller is a hand-held tree pulling tool that will pull invasive and nuisance trees and woody plants out of the ground with little effort – and with the roots. Both the Pullerbear Cub XL (with a 2″ stem capacity) and Pro XL321 (with a 3″ stem capacity) are made available by the Sharon Conservation Commission and have a 1-week checkout period. You can visit Pullerbear’s website to learn more about this impressive tool and watch additional videos.

Parsnip Predator

Also a gift from the Conservation Commission is a Parsnip Predator. “The Parsnip Predator was specifically designed for use on the invasive wild parsnip, but I find it works great on thistles, Queen Anne’s Lace, burdock, sweet clover, and anything else you don’t want setting seed that doesn’t have a rhizomatous growth.” (From the link)

---

What’s a Themed Learning Kit, you ask?  Let’s say you want to go birdwatching.  You can check out the Birding Kit which contains binoculars, a field guide, a CD of birdsongs, and a few kids’ books about birds.  Or maybe you love to tell stories.  Check out the Storytelling Kit with two decks of story cards, a set of story dice, printouts of comic panels and story writing/drawing paper, and (of course) a few books on storytelling.  The learning kits are made possible by a grant from the American Library Association and have a 2-week checkout period.

---

We’ve also got LOTS of cool puzzles to check out for both kids and adults!

* Librarian’s favorites

---

Maybe you want to check out one of Vermont’s cool museums or state parks. Baxter might just have the discounted or free pass you’re looking for! Passes have either a three-day or a one-week checkout.

VINS: $10 admissions, up to 4 people – 3-Day Checkout
Billings: Free admission up to 4 people – 3-Day Checkout
Vermont State Parks: Free day admission for carload of up to 8 people – 3-Day Checkout
ECHO: $7 admissions, up to 4 people – 7-Day Checkout
American Precision Museum: Free up to 2 adults and 2 children
Birds of Vermont: One free admission with one paid admission – 7-Day Checkout
Vermont Historic Sites: Free day admission for carload of up to 8 people – 7-Day Checkout