Beyond books, public libraries provide a wide array of resources for patrons, from research workshops to rentable power tools. Many libraries work closely with community-oriented institutions and offer discovery passes that can be used to explore local arts and culture attractions such as museums, gardens, and theatres.

Residents of Tampa Bay and surrounding counties have access to many pass programs through their library systems. Museum admission can be pricey, especially for families with children. Discovery passes allow you to reserve free or discounted passes for the whole family- all you need is your card!

PRO TIP: If your county does not offer a discovery program, many library systems offer non-residents reciprocal borrowing privileges or cards for only a small fee. Check with your library of interest to learn more about your options.

PINELLAS

The Pinellas Public Library Cooperative partners with area museums to offer free daily passes for up to 2 adults and 3 children at member institutions. Each library branch offers two passes for every partner that can be checked out in-person on a first-come, first-served basis. The passes are available for one visit during a 7-day period.

Participating institutions include The Collection on Palmetto, Dunedin History Museum, Florida CraftArt, The Florida Holocaust Museum, Glazer Children’s Museum, Great Explorations Children’s Museum, Henry B. Plant Museum, Imagine Museum, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, Leepa Rattner Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Safety Harbor Museum & Cultural Center, and the Tampa Bay History Center.

PASCO

Pasco County Libraries offer free museum access to play, uncover, and explore Tampa Bay attractions. Passes may be checked out to one verified card at a time through the library’s catalog system. Passes may be used for one-time entry during a 7-day period.

Partner institutions include the Glazer Children’s Museum, Florida Holocaust Museum, Imagine Museum, Tampa Bay History Center, and the St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts.

HILLSBOROUGH

The Hillsborough Public Library system offers free or discounted admission at local attractions through their Discovery Pass program. Discovery passes can be reserved online and printed at home for one-time admission during a thirty-day period.

Partner institutions include the Tampa Bay History Center, Hillsborough County Conservation Parks, Glazer Children’s Museum, American Victory Ship & Museum, Tampa Theatre, Henry B. Plant Museum, Florida Holocaust Museum, Stageworks Theatre, Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Tampa Museum of Art, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and the Florida Orchestra.

LAKELAND

In partnership with the Florida Children’s Museum, Lakeland Public Library patrons have the opportunity to checkout a Culture Pass for same-day general admission for up to five people to the Florida Children’s Museum. Each branch offers one pass per day which can be checked out on a first-come, first-served basis.

ORANGE

Orange County Library System’s Local Wanderer program allows patrons to check out single-use admission to local arts and culture venues with their system card number and PIN. Passes are good for up to two weeks.

Partner institutions include the Orlando Ballet, Art & History Museums of Maitland, Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Central Florida Community Arts, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Central Florida, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando Family Stage, Orange County Regional History Center, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Orlando Museum of Art.

MANATEE

Manatee County offers a Library of Things to cardholders which include Museum and Attraction Passes to local venues. Manatee Library members can reserve one pass per week and up to two passes per month.

Partner institutions include Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, Florida Railroad Museum, and the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.

MARTIN

Friends of the Martin County Library System offers cardholders reservable passes to local attractions and museums accessible through the online library catalog.

Partner institutions include the Elliot Museum/Gilbert’s House of Refuge, Children’s Museum of Treasure Coast, and the Florida oceanographic Society Coastal Center.

COLLIER

The Collier County Public Library provides residents with reservable pass programs to the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples and local beaches. Passes must be picked up at the branch where the pass is located.

MIAMI-DADE

The Miami-Dade Public Library System offers a Museum Pass program for free entry to art, culture, and entertainment attractions good for up to a family of four. Only one pass per organization may be checked out at a time, valid for one-time entry during a seven-day window.

Partner institutions include The Bass Contemporary Art Museum, Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum, Coral Gables Museum, The Curtiss Mansion, Deering Estate, Fruit & Spice Park, History Miami Museum, Jewish Museum of Florida, Lowe Art Museum, Miami Children’s Museum, Museum of Art and Design, Museum of Graffiti, Patricia & Phillip Frost Armartt Museum, Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Pérez Art Museum Miami, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, The Wolfsonian, and Zoo Miami.