The Joliet Public Library (JPL) is proud to announce our library was awarded NASA’s Universe of Learning Grant, and welcome the Discover Exoplanets: The Search for Alien World’s exhibition from December 2024-February 2025 at the downtown Joliet Ottawa Street Branch.  

The library will host 700 square feet of interactive display, providing an introduction to the search for life on other planets and tools NASA scientists use to search for exoplanets.  

The grant also includes $1,000 for special programs, in-person training, a facilitation kit for the library to keep and access to NASA subject matter experts. 

“We are honored to be the only library in our state to host this amazing exhibit,” said Executive Director, Megan Millen. “We have had the opportunity to showcase different educational and interactive exhibitions. How exciting to have such a special exhibit come to Joliet, and for our community to experience it and get immersed in the world of space and science.”

Joining JPL in the showcase are nine other partner libraries across the country:

Nederland Public Library (CO)

Crowley Public Library (TX)

Live Oak Public Library (GA)

Cyrenius H. Booth Library (CT)

Morton Mandan Public Library (ND)

Coloma Public Library (MO)

Madison County Public Library (NC)

Sioux Center Public Library (IA)

Safford City-Graham County Library (AZ)

For this particular exhibit, NASA’s goals are for patrons to learn about different solar systems, their search for habitable planets, the scale of the Earth in space and different tools and instruments used for their findings. 

During the exhibit’s stay, the library will host free programming for adults, kids, teens and tweens. Adult programming will feature different speakers, including Joliet’s own Dayna Ise, now the Director of the Mars Campaign Office with NASA.  

The Library invites the public to join us for the Grand Opening Celebration of the exhibit on Wednesday, December 11 from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. On this special night, learn more about the wonder beyond our solar system through 30 minute presentations in a digital dome, given by JJC planetarium coordinator Caitlin Lee. Other stations will be available throughout the building, including activities for adults, kids, and teens.

Discover Exoplanets is made possible through NASA’s Universe of Learning.  NASA’s Universe of Learning materials are based upon work supported by NASA under award number NNX16AC65A to the Space Telescope Science Institute, working in partnership with Caltech/IPAC, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

For more information about Discover Exoplanets exhibit, visit https://jolietlibrary.org/exhibits/discover-exoplanets-exhibit/ 

The Joliet Public Library is a resource for the Joliet community to read, explore, ask and discover. For more information, visit https://jolietlibrary.org/ or call 815-740-2660. Library hours are Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Friday–Saturday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00-5:00 p.m.