Stellar readers help library unveil ‘Darlington Discovery Dome’
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Kids who excelled in the Darlington County Library System’s summer reading program helped the library launch its latest educational program and cut the ribbon on a new portable planetarium, dubbed the Darlington Discovery Dome.
On Friday, Aug. 2, the Darlington Library unveiled the 18-foot StarLab inflatable dome and welcomed two outstanding readers and their families inside for a preview of the space exploration-themed show. Obtained with support from the Sonoco Foundation, the planetarium will provide an immersive educational experience designed to fire the imaginations of future scientists and explorers. Best of all, the planetarium is conveniently located and show admissions will be free.
“Not everybody has the transportation or the resources to go to the planetarium (at Francis Marion University) … so we worked with the Sonoco Foundation to bring the planetarium experience to Darlington County,” said Jimmie Epling, Darlington County Library System director.
The portable planetarium will be used for programs at local public libraries, and Epling says it will also be available for loan to schools and organizations wishing to incorporate space education into their classes.
StarLab is a professional-grade planetarium system equipped with a projection and sound system to deliver educational and entertaining astronomy programs about our solar system and universe, as well as other subjects.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, this year’s summer reading program centered around space. To dovetail with this theme, library staff began work several months ago exploring how to obtain this unique educational tool. By teaming with the Sonoco Foundation, the Library obtained the StarLab at the beginning of July and decided that kids who attained the highest reading level would be the first to experience a StarLab show.