University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center makes a stop at the Rochester Public Library

(ABC 6 News) – The Rochester Public Library hosted a handful of special guests on Wednesday.

Members of the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center stopped by, including Merlin the red-tailed hawk, a great horned owl, and a bald eagle. With the help of their educational ambassadors, Raptor Center employees shared how everyone has a role in protecting these birds.

“By taking these birds and showing these birds in person and capturing their attention we can then educate people because a lot of the times when we have birds come into our rehab its from human caused things. And even when people are not doing it intentionally, educating and getting the word out as much as possible is [how] we’re able to make as big of an impact as we possibly can,” said Jenna Kopp, an interpretive naturalist with the Raptor Center.

Wednesday’s event is just one of the programs being hosted this year at the Rochester Public Library. A variety of performers and educators are stopping by as part of the library’s summer programming.

“Its just an opportunity to learn things and to be entertained and to show that the library is more than just a place for books,” said Jon Allen, the Youth Services Librarian at the Rochester Public Library, “You know its a place to learn in other ways.”

Rochester Public Library’s summer programs happen each Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. through August. For a full schedule of upcoming events, click HERE.