Cosmo’s Corner: The secrets of sandstone or shrimp in the desert?! 

Hello and meow to you all. Cosmo the Library Cat here, dictating from my lair in the Grand County Public Library. 

Here at the library, we’re getting ready for our collaboration with the Moab Festival of Science, which provides tons of fascinating science presentations from September 13 to 17! This year, we’ll be showing a free film at Star Hall and hosting a special science storytime at the library! 

When I heard about the documentary, called “Top of the Rocks: The Secrets of Sandstone”, I got super excited, as I am a big fan of sandstone. I absolutely adore the way it feels simultaneously rough and smooth under my paws, and how toasty warm it gets in the sun. Plus, did you know that when it rains and the potholes fill up with water, there are tiny creatures that hatch and swim around in there? Some of these critters are called fairy shrimp, and you can bet I love anything to do with shrimp! 

I’m also really excited to see my buddy Tim Graham on the big screen. I thought he was just one of my kind librarian friends, but it turns out he is also a (now) famous scientist who is featured in this documentary, which was partially filmed right here in Moab! I can’t believe I missed that casting call; I could have told them a thing or two about shrimp! Anyway, everyone is invited to join this cinematic celebration of the fascinating world of sandstone on Wednesday, September 13 at 7 p.m. at Star Hall.  

The science doesn’t stop there. Later that week, we’re inviting young scientists and their grownups (or anyone else who loves a good STEAM storytime) to join us for stories and hands-on experiments involving the wind. This storytime will be Saturday, September 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the library. There will be no shrimp at this event (I checked), but if you are curious to see what this powerful, invisible force can do, this is the place to be. The librarians are gathering some interesting supplies, like big fans and an air cannon! I’m certainly intrigued, and I hope to see you there! Hang on to your hats!