FLORENCE-The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library has several events scheduled for August including two events heralding the August 21 Total Solar Eclipse.
The Eclipse Is Coming! – with Dr. Mel Blake
Wednesday, August 16, 11:30 am
Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
Get ready for the total solar eclipse, which is coming up on Monday, August 21! Dr. Mel Blake, Director of the UNA Planetarium and Associate Professor of Physics, will tell you everything you need to know about the eclipse. He’ll talk about the astronomy behind it, the best places to view the eclipse, and safety. All participants will receive a free pair of NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 28.
The Eclipse Is Coming! (For Kids and Families) – with Dr. Mel Blake
Thursday, August 17, 4:00 pm
Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
*This event is geared toward kids and teens 9 and up and their families.*
Get ready for the total solar eclipse, which is coming up on Monday, August 21! Dr. Mel Blake, Director of the UNA Planetarium and Associate Professor of Physics, will tell you everything you need to know about the eclipse. He’ll talk about the astronomy behind it, the best places to view the eclipse, and safety. All participants will receive a free pair of NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 28.
Book Talk/Signing – Surviving the System: The Life of a Foster Child by 
Shameka Pointer
Saturday, August 19, 1:00 pm
Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
Author Shameka Pointer will visit FLPL to talk about her book Surviving the System: The Life of a Foster Child. This program is presented by Crossroads Community Outreach. Ms. Pointer, who was born in Decatur and grew up in Town Creek, first came into foster care at the age of 2, and she remained in foster care until she opted out of the system. She is now a Behavioral Youth Counselor and has a Master’s in Christian Counseling. In her book, Ms. Pointer explores foster care statistics and the labels that are placed on foster kids, and she also shares her story about how she overcame difficult situations to become a successful citizen. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 28.
Book Talk/Signing – Determined to Survive: A Story of Survival and One Teacher’s Passion to Bring That Story to Life with co-author Amy McDonald
Sunday, August 20, 2:00 pm
Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
Teacher and Holocaust educator Amy McDonald will visit FLPL to talk about her book Determined to Survive: A Story of Survival and One Teacher’s Passion to Bring That Story to Life. The book shares the story of Max Steinmetz, a Holocaust survivor who co-wrote the book with Amy.
Amy McDonald teaches U.S. History and Holocaust Studies at Shades Valley High School in 
Birmingham, Alabama. Amy was the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Honor Flight Birmingham, which flew over 900 WWII veterans to Washington D.C. to see the WWII Memorial. As part of her work in Holocaust studies, Amy has traveled to Germany, Poland, and Lithuania with the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous. In December 2013, Amy received the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous Robert I. Goldman Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education. In 2014, Amy was accepted into the U.S. Holocaust Museum Teacher Fellowship Program, which is held in Washington, D.C. After completing this program in July 2015, Amy is recognized as a Teacher Fellow of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 28
