On February 4th, 22 students from kindergarten to eighth grade attended the Grissom Library outer space event. The children made their own telescopes and learned about outer space.

The Library’s Visions of the Universe exhibit assisted children designing their own pocket- sized telescope by using markers, cardboard tubes, and lenses in order for the students to get a better look at the stars.

During the making of the telescope students answered trivia questions for a chance to win prizes. Youth and family services librarian, Jessica Hartley, announced the final winners of the big prize.

The children answered questions like, “How old is the sun?” The correct answer is 4.5 billion years old.

Varun Kamath, age 5, had the closest guess, with 10 billion years. He won a prize bag containing a NASA keychain, activity book, and “Journey to the Stars” DVD.

The prizes were donated by Ron Shaneyfelt.

Newport News, Va., –  Halloween is Monday, October 31st, and the City of Newport News would like to take this opportunity to provide safety information for those children participating in trick-or-treat activities as well as other information regarding these activities. Section 28-5 of the Newport News City Code, located below, restricts trick-or-treating to children 12 years of age or younger, with activities to end by 8:00 p.m.

Sec. 28-5. Prohibited trick or treat activities.

1. If any person beyond the seventh grade of school or over twelve (12) years of age shall engage in the activity commonly known as "trick or treat" or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever, such person shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

Beginning August 15, patrons will be able to download free music from the computer labs of all Newport News Public Libraries.

Newport News citizens with registered library cards and that have library accounts in good standing will have the opportunity to download three songs a week.

Patrons will be able to access this feature free of cost at www.nngov.com/library. The downloaded files will then become a permanent part of the users’ personal music library.

The music will not have an expiration date and patrons will not have to return the music either. 

“We’re glad to be able to offer great music, compatibility with lots of devices and simplicity of use for our Library patrons,” said Library Director Izabela Cieszynski.

For more information, contact the reference desk of any Newport News Public Library.