Westlake librarian: 'Spaceman' headlines library’s summer programs

Several times each week at bedtime, instead of reading a book, my son and I listen to the “Ask a Spaceman” podcast together. It’s the end of the day, and whatever has happened – tight deadlines or tough tests, forgotten lunches or spilled coffees – it all fades away until all that’s left is host Paul M. Sutter talking about black holes and dark matter, the relativity of time and the possibility of life on other planets. Sutter is funny and charismatic. He makes even the most mind-bending concepts in astrophysics accessible and fascinating.

During the deepest isolation of the pandemic, this podcast offered us a bit of transcendence. As dark as the days were, as big as our problems seemed, space was darker and huger – but not in a scary way. Ending the day by thinking about the sheer magnitude or absolute weirdness of our universe gave us a broader perspective and was oddly enough rather comforting.

I am overjoyed – and somewhat starstruck (no pun intended) – that Paul M. Sutter will be joining the Westbank Libraries over Zoom on Saturday, June 11 at 11 a.m. for an unconventional, choose-your-own-adventure type of presentation. Folks can log onto Zoom from anywhere with WiFi, or they can come in person to Laura’s Library, where we’ll be livestreaming the program.

According to Sutter, the show will discuss everything from “mundane comets in our solar backyard to exotic remnants of the Big Bang, from dying stars to young galaxies” to show participants that “the universe may be beautiful, but it’s treacherous.”

The program is intended for astronomy lovers of every age, and audience involvement is encouraged. If there’s anything my son has taught me, it’s that astronomy buffs come in all ages.

Megan Oertel and her husband David, the president of the library’s Board of Trustees, are looking forward to bringing their family to the livestreamed program.

“We are so excited to learn from a real astrophysicist,” she said. “My 10-year-old son has been learning everything about space since before he could talk and has questions we cannot answer.”

The program will be interactive and include a Q&A session. And fortunately for us, Sutter makes it his business to answer some of the toughest questions about the universe in a way that in not only understandable, but often inspiring and funny.

The "Ask a Spaceman" program is just one of many summer events the library is planning. After two summers of online summer programming, Westbank and Laura’s Libraries welcome this return of more in-person library programs, starting with an onsite Summer Discovery Program kickoff at Laura’s Library on Sunday, June 5. With an outdoor performance by Joe McDermott, a backyard visit by mini horses, and with onsite balloon creations and crafts, this event will harken back to the festivities of pre-pandemic summer kickoffs, with outside activities lending an added measure of safety.

Leah Tatgenhorst, the library’s programs manager, is excited about this step toward normalcy.

“We have really missed the opportunities to connect with our community that onsite programs bring," she said. "Celebrating the start of summer with some of our favorite kickoff activities and our favorite neighbors is just what we need.”

Some programs will remain online, which will allow speakers from all over the world to attend, and librarians can record some programs for future viewing. The online format also allows more people to attend – so folks can drop into a library program even if they’re on vacation. Even if you don’t have a faraway vacation planned, the library’s programs and books will let you travel anywhere you’d like this summer, even exploring the far reaches of the universe.

You can subscribe to the library’s newsletter at westbanklibrary.com and check the library’s web calendar at westbanklibrary.com/calendar for programs information and updates.

Maureen Turner Carey is a public service and PR librarian at the Westbank Community Library District.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 'Spaceman' headlines library’s summer programs