Free Solar Eclipse Glasses Available at Birmingham Public Library Locations

Birmingham Public Library offered free solar eclipse glasses for patrons.

Note: Due to an incredible response from classrooms, some BPL locations have no more solar eclipse glasses available as of Thursday, April 4. Some do but on limited first-come, first served basis.

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.

Click here to learn more about the eclipse from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Safety is the number one priority when viewing a total solar eclipse. According to NASA, viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury. 

To protect yourself, NASA suggests looking at the eclipse through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. 

The Birmingham Public Library has a free limited supply of eclipse glasses available to the public at all of our library locations across the city.  Patrons will need to call in advance at each library to check availability. Click here to see our BPL locations and phone numbers. 

The totality phase of the April 8 eclipse is expected to last twice as long as it did in 2017 because the moon is currently closer to the sun. Those along the center line of the path will see a total eclipse that lasts between 3½ and 4 minutes, according to NASA. 

Click here to learn how to join NASA in a 2024 Solar Eclipse live-streaming event.