Polk County News
14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 18, 2017
Library chosen for NASA program
By Lukas Eggen
Costa receives athletic award
FRONT ROYAL, VA — Lucas Costa, of Monmouth, received
the boys varsity soccer Coaches Award. Costa is a senior at Ran-
dolph-Macon Academy.
The Itemizer-Observer
MONMOUTH — Mon-
mouth Public Library hopes
to provide experiences that
are out of this world — with
a little help from NASA.
Monmouth was one of
three libraries across the
country to be chosen for the
NASA @ My Library pro-
gram.
“We are looking for ways
to connect NASA with li-
braries and the people that
use libraries in our country,”
said Keliann LaConte, pro-
fessional development man-
ager from the Space Science
Institute.
Monmouth Library Direc-
tor Krist Obrist said she was
just searching for ideas for
the library to use the solar
eclipse to spur interest in the
library.
“I was trying to see what
can we do and how we could
get involved,” Obrist said. “I
came across Starnet, which
works with libraries, and it
had some resources avail-
able. It said sign up and get
50 free glasses. I’m all for
saving money, so I was pret-
ty excited.”
LaConte was looking for
potential libraries to join the
NASA @ My Library program
and saw that the Monmouth
library was showing interest
in the eclipse.
It was a match made in
the heavens and Monmouth
was one of three libraries
chosen for the program.
All three libraries selected
are on the path of totality —
meaning they will all see a
full solar eclipse this August.
“Over the next several
years, we’ll be working with
three different libraries,” La-
Conte said. “We want these li-
braries to have the opportu-
nity to have this moment
with their communities in
their backyard, and we want
to work with all of these li-
braries for the next several
years.”
The program hopes to
help groups that aren’t rep-
resented in science or relat-
ACADEMIC HONORS
SCHOOL NOTES
Weather causes changes at CSD
INDEPENDENCE —With weather affecting instructional time
in the classroom, Central School District will move the grade
day/elementary in-service to Feb. 3 to protect as much instruc-
tional time in the first semester as possible. The date was origi-
nally scheduled for Jan. 30.
Classes will be on regular schedules Jan. 30-Feb. 2.
The district and the associations will also begin talking about
recapturing at least two instructional days in the second semes-
ter to meet the necessary state requirements.
Once a plan is formulated, it will be shared with families.
NEWS IN BRIEF
LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer
Monmouth Library Director Krist Obrist, left, speaks on Jan. 10.
Sheriff seeks animal control officer
POLK COUNTY — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is hiring
for an animal control officer.
Duties of the position are investigating issues relating to
dog or animal control in compliance with state law and county
ordinances. Tasks include, but are not limited to: determining if
sheep were killed by dogs or coyotes; investigations of dog
bites; investigations on reports of animal cruelty; monitoring li-
cense requirements; inspection of dog kennels for compliance
with permits; and recognizing medical conditions in dogs that
may require quarantine or veterinary care.
The pay scale for the full-time position is $3,289 to $4,161
per month. The department has a budget of about $150,000,
half of which comes from a general fund transfer, said County
Administrator Greg Hansen.
The application period closes Thursday at 1 p.m. For more
information: 503-623-1888.
Dallas holds utility rate open house
LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer
Keliann LaConte spoke to community members on Jan. 10.
ed fields have chances to
learn about science, and
help groups that don’t often
visit the library begin to
form a relationship there.
“There are some gaps as
far as Latinos, African Amer-
icans, American Indians,
Alaska natives, Pacific Is-
landers, the economically
disadvantaged, and women
and girls,” LaConte said. “We
want to make sure those
who are in communities
without a science center
have access to these kinds of
opportunities.”
LaConte said the program
will offer resources to learn
how best to serve each of the
libraries to get kids excited
about science.
Much of the NASA @ My
Library program is aimed at
younger audiences, but
Obrist said she plans to offer
programs aimed at people
both young and old.
“A lot of the materials are
geared more toward ele-
mentary-aged kids, but
we’re looking at more for
the whole community,”
Obrist said. “It’s really im-
portant not only getting the
kids excited about science
and looking at new ways
they can engage, it’s impor-
tant to have their families
support them and know
what they’re doing and get
excited too.”
The meeting also held an
open discussion
with
members from the commu-
nity, which included par-
ents, educators, and citi-
zens, about science, tecnol-
ogy, engineering, and math
, how the library can capi-
talize on the solar eclipse,
and how to increase atten-
dance and participation at
the library — particularly
among groups who don’t
often visit.
See NASA, Page 13A
DALLAS — The city of Dallas’ Utility Rate Advisory Committee
is hosting an open house to educate citizens about new water
and sewer rates on Monday at 6 p.m.
The open house will be held at LaCreole Middle School, 701
SE LaCreole Drive. At the event, citizen can find out how much
their rates will change and what improvements the revenue will
pay for.
Pick up a copy of the
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community events.