Townshend Public Library will present The Wonderful World of Bats! with Jerry Schneider on Tuesday, October 15, at 6:30 at the Town Hall.

This program brings the audience into the exotic world of bats, and introduces them to echolocation. What is it? Why do bats echolocate? Why can't we hear them? Are bats blind? We'll answer these questions and more.

Audiences will learn how vital bats are for maintaining a healthy environment (Did you know that a Little Brown Bat eats up to 1000 mosquitoes in one night?). Via interactive dialogue and slides, children move beyond old stereotypes to an understanding of the importance of bats for farmers, fruit growers, the rain forest, and us. See vivid photos of tropical fruit bats, the vampire bat, and some of our local bats. We will learn about bats in our attics, bat eyesight, echolocation, migration, and hibernation. Eyes light up at such phenomenal creatures as Townsend's Big Eared Bat, and the Pallid Bat. We will also listen to bat echolocation calls that are slowed down through a bat detector.

Children will create bat tee shirts using a combination of fabric dye sprays and cut outs. Children may purchase heavy cotton (Gildan) tee shirts for $4.00, or bring their own.

Everyone that is interested in learning about these fascinating little mammals is welcome to attend.

Contact the Townshend Public Library at 365-4039 for more information.