Summer is here and the Manatee County Library System is excited to celebrate with you! There are tons of fun programs you can take advantage of over the next few months. No matter how old or young you are, there’s something coming up that you’re sure to enjoy. Here are a few highlights you won’t want to miss.
Florida Reader Day Pass
June is the Great Outdoors Month, and Florida State Parks have partnered with the Florida Department of State, Florida’s Bureau of Library Development, and local libraries to offer Real Florida Reader day passes so you can continue your learning at Florida’s beautiful parks.
There are 175 state parks throughout the state and you can visit them all for free! To get your pass, visit your nearest Manatee County Library branch, check out a book, and request your park pass. There are a limited number of passes available and you can add your name to the hold queue.
You will be informed once your park pass is ready, passes must be picked up and returned at the same location. Each pass is good for one vehicle with up to 8 people. This promo runs through September 12, 2022.
For those who don’t have their library cards yet, visit your local library to get one. It’s easy to do, and all library cards and park passes are FREE. Your library card becomes your ticket for adventure.
Museum Passes & More
Did you know that you can also get FREE passes to area museums from your local library? That’s right! Manatee County Libraries offer passes to The Bishop Museum of Science & Nature, Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, The Florida Railroad Museum, Mixon Fruit Farm Tram Tours, and Dakin Dairy Farms tour tickets.
To reserve your tickets, visit your local library branch or submit your request online.
You might also be surprised to learn that you can borrow so much more than books! Manatee County’s Library of Things allows you to borrow all kinds of stuff with your library card. This includes:
- Binoculars
- Cake pans
- Fishing poles
- Telescopes
- Tools (like pressure washers, power drills, bike repair kits, and more)
- STEM & Early Literacy kits
- Wi-Fi Hot spots
- Musical instruments (keyboards, accordions, bongos, and more)
Seed Library at the Palmetto Branch
A new Seed Library is taking root at the Palmetto Library Branch. In partnership with the UF/IFAS Extension Service, they will be giving out seasonal Florida-friendly flower and vegetable seeds to anyone in the community on a first-come-first-served basis.
They are also looking for volunteers to keep their stock sustainable. Learning materials will be provided. Aside from volunteers, they are also open to donations. Big thanks to the Palmetto Friends of the Library for supplying funds for this wonderful project. You can send an email to request more information.
