Joliet Library Branch Popular Place For Eclipse Glasses

JOLIET, IL - The Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library was the hub of activity on Monday morning. The parking lot was packed as area residents arrived early in hopes of getting a free set of Solar Eclipse glasses. Many people started waiting in line before 9 a.m. Library officials began distributing 250 free pairs of the glasses at 11 a.m. Although many left empty handed, one mother-daughter tandem were among the lucky ones. They each got a pair of glasses. They also brought along their lawn chairs and a picnic basket, deciding to watch the eclipse from the library's back patio.

Actually, most people who waited in line for the free glasses at Joliet's Black Road branch decided not to stay here to watch the eclipse. "When we got here, the parking lot was crazy, but I was surprised how many people left," said Janice Kolac of Romeoville, who sat with her adult daughter, Rachel Corcoran of Plainfield.

Around noon, at least 50 to 75 people were scattered around the Black Road patio on lawn chairs, tents, blankets or on picnic benches. For a while, the sky was overcast.

"I don't see anything," Corcoran told her mother at around noon.

Still, the mother and daughter told Joliet Patch they were glad they stayed to watch the Solar Eclipse from the Joliet Public Library. They even brought along a set of UNO cards in case they got bored. At one point, the Bonnie Tyler hit song, "Total Eclipse of the Heart," could be heard playing on the library's sound system.

"It's a great area to watch it from," Kolac said. "And you should really share it with other people."

There were other mother-daughter tandems at the Black Road branch.

"My daughter comes here all the time, and I wanted to see it. I'm 80 years old," remarked Joliet resident Maureen Phillips, who sat at one of the patio tables. She came here with her daughter, Kara.

Maureen Phillips said she could not believe how many people showed up on Monday morning for a chance to get a free pair of Solar Eclipse glasses from the Joliet library. "People were lined up all down and around the road," she said. "But we did get a pair."

Maureen Phillips had no regrets about coming to the Black Road branch to witness the eclipse. "This is lovely," she said. "And we have come here for other programs."

Images via Joliet Patch Editor John Ferak