Get Thee to the Library: Passport to Connecticut Libraries Program

Next month the kids and I will be hitting the road and participating in the 2nd annual Passport to Connecticut Libraries program!

Based on the Wine Trail Passport Program in CT, Passport to Connecticut Libraries is a statewide program running throughout the month of April 2016 in celebration of National Library Week. This year, 124 of the 160 public libraries in the state are participating in the program.  The purpose of this program is “to build awareness of the value of a library card, as well as to encourage residents to explore the amazing diversity of resources available at public libraries,” according to the Connecticut Library Association.

If you live in Connecticut and wish to participate, “get thee to your local library” on April 1st to pick up your Passport.  A staff member will stamp it and give you a token gift to get you started. Then, take your Passport along as you visit other participating libraries. At each visit, you must show your library card, and then the library will stamp your passport and give you another small gift.

If you visit at least five (5) participating libraries and return your passport to a participating library by May 6, 2016 then you will be entered into one state-wide drawing for a chance to win a $150 Visa gift card for adults (18 and up) and a $100 Visa gift card for children (under 18). This is a state-wide contest where four winners will be selected: one adult and one child from a random drawing from all who visited at least five libraries, and one adult and one child from a random drawing from all who visited the most libraries.  The drawing will be held on June 1st and the winners will be informed by telephone and mailed their prize.

Doesn’t that sound like fun?  Ok, I know it doesn’t sound fun to everyone, but if you’re a fellow bibliophile and library lover like me, it should be right up your alley.

I participated in this program on my own back in 2014 when it was first introduced.  At that time, my kids were ages 1 & 2 so to take them along with me to each library I visited would have been too much of a hassle.  Now that they are both a year older and more independent, they’ll be joining me on this adventure!  In addition to visiting different libraries, we also plan to check out some other local book stores and family-friendly/kid-friendly places within the vicinity of the library.

I’ve already started reaching out to a few different kid-friendly places that I want to check out while in each town.  While we don’t plan to visit all 124 libraries, we certainly plan to check out as many as we can and explore some other fun places we’ve never been to before.

Each week in April, I’ll be writing about the various libraries we visit and letting you know where else we go afterwards so stay tuned!

I think this project will be a great way to showcase some of Connecticut’s amazing libraries and incorporate some family fun at the same time.  I also hope to give ideas to parents and caregivers who are looking for other kid-friendly places in the area to bring kids after visiting the library.