Blasting off into the holidays: Kilgore library’s tree showcases space theme – Longview News-Journal

KILGORE The Kilgore Public Library is blasting off into the holiday season with a NASA My Library ornament contest. A special Christmas tree at the library also has been decorated with hand-painted and personally designed space-themed ornaments.

The contest was held to celebrate the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, which is planned to follow the Hubble Space Telescope as NASAs flagship astrophysics mission and is scheduled to be launched Wednesday, according to NASA.

Library patrons and community members designed and decorated a number of ornaments, which can be seen hanging on the space-themed tree at the library. Participants voted for their favorite ornament this past week.

Winners are:

Patron Choice Award: Anelise Green

Planet, Stars, Galaxies Winner: Milo Moehring

James Webb Space Telescope Winner: Aubrey LaDuke

Rockets Winner: Harrison Anderson

Library Director Stacey Cole said the tree and ornaments are part of the librarys year-long celebration of NASA and space exploration.

Earlier this year, the Kilgore library was selected to be part of NASA My Library, an education initiative created to increase and enhance STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning opportunities, including in geographic areas and populations underrepresented in STEAM education.

Kilgore Public Library is one of just 60 libraries nationwide to be part of this initiative, and were thrilled to have been selected, said Kaitlin Waldecker, library programming coordinator. We look forward to introducing STEAM concepts to our younger patrons and to exploring the universe together with people of all ages during our public programs in 2021 and 2022.

As a NASA My Library partner, the Kilgore Public Library will hold public programs that explore science and technology.

As part of this initiative, Kilgore Public Library also will receive training and resources to implement NASA events and programming, access to a university subject matter expert to support patron engagement and $1,600 for programming expenses.

Read more:

Blasting off into the holidays: Kilgore library's tree showcases space theme - Longview News-Journal