Services

Telescope Policies

Explore the night sky — or safely watch the sun — with telescopes from the Library of Things.

Two kinds of telescopes

Two at each branch🔭Night-sky telescopes

Six Orion StarBlast™ 4.5″ reflector telescopes — two at each JCL branch. For adult cardholders 16+. Staff place the hold; the cardholder picks it up in person and returns it to the same desk.

☀Sunspotter solar telescope

One Sunspotter, donated by the St. Louis Astronomical Society during the 2017 solar eclipse. Its mirrors project the Sun onto a white screen so a group can watch together — and see sunspots on clear days. For K–12 educators only. 5-day loan, no renewals; checked out and returned at the Arnold Branch, with directions and an information package. Call 636-296-2204 to book.

Borrowing rules

Adult card and photo IDCheck out on an adult card (age 16 and up) and show photo ID that matches the name on the card.
Holds placed by staffAsk library staff to place your hold. One telescope per household at a time.
Pick up in personThe person who placed the hold must collect it at the circulation desk.
7 days, no renewalsThe checkout period can't be extended.
Return to the deskBring it to the circulation desk at the branch you borrowed from and stay until check-in is complete.

Overdue: $5 a dayUp to a maximum of $100.
Replacement: $325Billed if the telescope is not returned.
DamageBilled at the cost of repair.

What reminders and notices will I get?

If you're signed up for email reminders, you'll get one 3 days before the telescope is due. Overdue notices go out by email or U.S. Mail when it's 2–3 weeks overdue. At 6–7 weeks past due, a bill for the full replacement amount and a denial of service notice go out by U.S. Mail — and overdue charges keep adding up after the bill is sent.

What's in the kit

Every night-sky telescope checks out with:

Orion StarBlast™ 4.5″ Astro Reflector TelescopeWith its base.
Celestron 8–24 mm zoom lensAttached to the telescope.
Red dot finderAttached to the telescope.
Camera bagHolding a National Audubon Society pocket guide, a headlamp and a laminated instruction manual (flip guide).

Questions? We're here to help.

Call any branch Monday–Saturday, or send us a message.

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