Did you know the largest reading room in North America is at Phoenix Burton Barr Central Library?

Get yourself over to the 43,000 square reading room on the fifth floor of the library and witness the precise moment of the summer solstice.

Folks, this is one of those “hidden secrets” of Phoenix that everybody should see at least once.

In fact, you can only see it once per year, on the summer solstice. And on that day, “The ceiling will seem to float and the columns glow like candles.”

The summer solstice is the day when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, marking the longest day of the year.

The top floor roof structure of the library has the most to offer viewers of the indirect light. Blue skylights above each column illuminate the tips of the columns at noon on the summer solstice.

“Summer solstice reminds us that we are not just Arizonans, not just Americans, but we are children of the universe,” said Will Bruder, architect/designer of the library.

On Friday, June 21, Bruder will describe the unique features he designed to create a visual effect at solar noon on the summer solstice.

EVENT DETAILS

Event: Summer Solstice Celebration
Registration: Not Required
Date: Fri, Jun. 21, 2013
Age Level: All
Time: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Location: Burton Barr Central Library

Enjoy live music by Canyon Records recording artist Anthony Wakeman. Music begins at 11:30. (After the event, join the Hance Park Conservancy in the Fourth Floor Lecture Room for a preview of the Hance Park redesign.)

If you want to buy or sell, in fall, spring, winter, summer, or summer solstice, please give me a call at 602-456-9388 or email me at ken@getyourphx.com.

[all photographs by Bill Timmerman]
Written by phxAdmin