Library program allows Hoosiers to "check-out" state parks

When you think of libraries, you typically think of rows of books, but the Saint Joseph County Public Library has a new goal for learning in mind, and it involves venturing outside.

It would normally cost you to get into one of Indiana’s State Parks, however a recently created partnership is making it easier for those in Michiana to check them out.

Indiana State Parks have partnered up with Hoosier libraries in an effort to encourage families to get out and visit parks. They've created passes that you can checkout at the library to gain free entry into those parks.

“There’s so much to find out about this community and we are a resource for that and we wanna continue to support that. We think that there are a lot of different ways that learning can take place.” Nicholas Shafer, Coordinator for Communication and Development

Manager of Adult and Teen Services David Heidt says the team at the library hopes that the free entrance will cause more people to get out and visit our state parks.

“Gets them out of their house, away from their electronic devices. Getting back the chance to spend time together as a family. It’s an educational component that the library offers as an opportunity for people to explore new and different world and scenarios,” said David Heidt.

Their goal – to have you think outside the book and create stories of your own.

Anyone with a library card can get access to Indiana’s 32 state parks. The passes can be checked out for 7 days and, just like a book, needs to be returned to the location is was checked out.

“Learning doesn’t just happen at school or at libraries or in a particular program,” said Shafer.

For more information on how to take advantage of this offer, just click on this link for details about the passes or you can also check out this link for more about the partnership.