By Marina Shankle, for the SNAP

Modern technology put the stars within reach of Stanly County library patrons this week in a program called StarLab.

The State Library of North Carolina purchased four inflatable domes set up to serve as mini-planetariums, or StarLabs, and distributed them to each of its districts.

The Stanly County Public Library in Albemarle was able to access the StarLab the week of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch and moon landing. Children and other library patrons were able to access the StarLab in a series of viewings Tuesday through Thursday.

Children and Youth Services Librarian Sara Hahn said each viewing within the mobile planetarium began with a brief video explaining the history of space exploration, including the space race and the moon landing. The StarLab also featured videos of underwater exploration and giraffes in Africa.

“The idea is bringing a planetarium to your community so that kids can explore it,” Hahn said. “The video talks about how travel has changed and how one day, you might get to travel to the moon.”

Marina Shankle is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News & Press.