Mobile planetarium to be part of Cape library's summer reading program

The Cape Girardeau Public Library is bringing a mobile planetarium to this year's summer reading program.

The Dome, for children from kindergarten to seventh grade and for families, will debut from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

Youth Services coordinator Sharon Anderson came across the planetarium during a fundraiser for the Discovery Playhouse Children's Museum in March. She said the library staff had been searching for something new to bring to the summer program and liked what they saw.

"At that point it was adults that were enjoying it, so we thought it would be good to bring it to the kids," Anderson said.

The Dome's Robert Hilligus said he is looking forward to bringing the 9-by-13-foot digital theater to the area now as well in the fall. Hilligus said the Dome will be coming to several elementary schools, including Orchard Drive Elementary and North Elementary in Jackson.

"Bringing a field trip to the school is extreme." Hilligus said. "It's a one-of-a-kind educational experience."

The movies play on the wall and ceiling of the Dome and cover topics including water canyons, constellations and the sinking of the Titanic. One show Anderson is particularly excited about is called "Earth's Wild Ride," which illustrate a water canyon ride near a volcanic eruption and re-creates a scene from the ice age.

"We've done a lot of hands-on learning about water science," Anderson said. "We want them to learn about water from a different perspective."

Anderson said she expects children will enjoy the Titanic show.

"We have a few history buffs, so the Titanic show should be good for them," she said.

According to Bob Fisher, Dome director of marketing and advertising, the materials used to produce the scripts and shows are provided by various history museums, universities and NASA.

"The materials presented in the shows are educationally sound," he said.

The library will provide books related to the shows and will be available for checking out during the event.

"We want them to enjoy spending times with books," Anderson said. "Reading gives them access to the world."