So, how does this all work? In Colorado, patrons check out a backpack for seven days that has not only a pass to the parks but also field guides on state flora and fauna and information from Leave No Trace, as well as other park information.^[3] Each pass allows entry for one carload of park visitors. At some parks, even a bus from a school or activity center can come in with a single pass.^[4] In addition, the Colorado State Library put together a toolkit of valuable information and promotional materials for use in implementing this program.

After one month, Beth Crist, Colorado State Library’s Youth and Family Services consultant, said that the positive feedback and high demand for the program signifies its success.^[5] Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), which is participating in the program, has had a similar positive experience. Tim Morris, recommended websites librarian and the person charged with implementation for PPLD, attests to the program’s popularity: “Since we allow half of the backpacks to be placed on hold, and the other half to be available as rapid items available at the locations on a first-come, first-served basis, we have had a lot of patron usage in a short amount of time.”^[6]

Leah Morris, Delta County (Colo.) Libraries Systems and Collections coordinator, commented:

As a rural district with a limited budget, we are eager to participate in programs that provide exceptional services to our patrons at a low cost to us. The Check Out Colorado State Parks program is an excellent example of this type of service… . Thanks to programs like this one, we are inviting our patrons to check out experiences, adventures, and lasting memories.^[7]

Pikes Peak patron Jamey Hastings, who used one of the backpacks, said the information on all the different state parks helped them decide which park they wanted to camp in. They picked State Forest State Park near Walden, Colo., in hopes of using the included binoculars to view moose. Although the moose were elusive that weekend, Hastings said, “The park pass made it possible to visit and camp for one night for only $10, a great bargain!”^[8]

References

[1] Phil Goerner, “CO Parks Collaboration Expands to All State Libraries,” Library Journal, June 22, 2016.

[2] Carrie O’Maley Voliva, “Check Out a State Parks Pass at Indiana Libraries,” Public Libraries Online, February 16, 2016.

[3] “Check Out Colorado State Parks,” Colorado Virtual Library, accessed July 19, 2016.

[4] “Check Out Colorado State Parks: FAQs for Library Staff,” Colorado Department of Education, accessed July 19, 2016.

[5] Beth Crist, Colorado State Library’s Youth and Family Services consultant, in an e-mail message to author, July 20, 2016.

[6] Tim Morris, in an e-mail message to author, July 19, 2016.

[7] Leah Morris, Delta County Libraries Systems and Collections coordinator, according to Beth Crist in an e-mail message to author, July 20, 2016.

[8] Jamey Hastings, in an e-mail message to author, July 19, 2016.

The post State Parks Passes a Hit in Colorado first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The State Park Centennial Annual Pass Library Check-out Program is a partnership between Indiana State Parks and the Indiana State Library  to encourage people to visit libraries and parks. The Indiana State Library helped pay for the program and distributed one state park pass to each of the 240 public library systems in the state.

The parks passes, which provide access to Indiana’s thirty-two state parks and also to Indiana’s state forest recreation areas are only available for checkout from January 1-December 31, 2016. The Indiana Public Library listserv has been alive with discussion about how each library is handling circulation policies for this unique program.

Some libraries have chosen to purchase additional park passes to meet patron demand. The Indianapolis Public Library is purchasing additional state park passes and the passes check out for one week at a time. The passes are sure to be in constant circulation. As of January 19, there were 173 requests for the passes at Indianapolis Public Library. It’s a win-win for the library: patrons are happy with the new perk, and it’s bringing in new patrons interested in the state parks who, in turn, can learn more about the library.

“I’m just amazed at the popularity of this initiative,” said Mike Williams, Area Resource Manager at the Indianapolis Public Library. “My family has always enjoyed using our Indiana State Park Pass, but I never thought about circulating one to Library patrons. Clearly there’s a huge demand for this type of service. I’m glad the State Parks are celebrating with all of the public libraries in Indiana.”

Resources:

Indiana State Library Partners with Indiana State Parks to Offer Pass “Check-Out” Program at All Public Libraries, InfoDocket.

Library program lets you “check-out” state parks, Indiana Department of Natural Resources

The post Check Out a State Parks Pass at Indiana Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.