NASA-funded program will place about 130 portable telescopes in Montana public libraries, organizers say

Spectrum, the University of Montana’s science museum, received a NASA grant to distribute portable, library-friendly telescopes to public libraries across Montana, and organizers said about 130 units should be placed by the end of the summer.

Nicholas Weathington, a representative of the library telescope program and co‑president of the Western Montana Astronomical Association, said the project makes astronomy equipment “available in smaller towns too, not just like a big place like Missoula.” He added that “anybody with a library card can check it out from their local library.”

The kits are built for public circulation: Weathington said the manufacturer (High Point Scientific) worked with the Library Telescope Program to produce a checkout-ready design that reduces fragile, removable parts and withstands routine patron use. The unit described on the program is a reflective telescope with a built-in zoom eyepiece so users do not need to swap multiple eyepieces. The package also includes a small accessory pack, a printed user guide and a red LED lamp intended to preserve night vision while users consult instructions.

Organizers said the Library Telescope Program supports a large network of library checkout units and provides online resources and videos; each kit carries a QR code linking to those materials and to the local project page. Weathington identified the local project as “Big Sky, Bigger Dreams,” which he said was funded by a NASA Team 2 STEM Innovator Award and is linked from Spectrum’s site. He directed viewers to librarytelescope.org/get-started for setup and usage instructions.

Missoula Public Library was the first library in Montana to offer a checkout telescope, Weathington said, after a 2013 effort to place an early unit; that original device remains available, and the new distribution has brought a second checkout unit to Missoula. Weathington said he has distributed about 75 telescopes so far to libraries around the state and expects many more units to arrive this summer.

The program’s organizers said the design and supporting materials are intended to let libraries offer hands-on astronomy without requiring staff to perform technical modifications. Viewers interested in borrowing a telescope were advised to contact their local public library or check the program web resources for availability and instructions.

For MCAT, host Joel Baird closed the segment and thanked viewers for watching.