By Melissa Wagoner
Summer is a great time to visit the many museums, gardens and educational venues located within a two-hour drive of Silverton. But, if expenses ae running high, the price of admission can be a barrier. That’s where the Silver Falls Library’s Cultural Passes can help.
Offering free admission to places like the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, the Hallie Ford Museum in Salem and The Oregon Garden in Silverton, the library’s goal is “to provide access to fun and educational venues to those who might not be able to afford to go otherwise, or to community members considering a pass…”
“The cultural passes may be reserved up to a month in advance and checked out for three days,” Adult Services Librarian Spring Quick said, describing the program, which has been going strong since 2012.
And with nine destination passes currently available for loan, they are ideal for either a family outing or a date.
“The most popular passes have been the A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village and the Japanese Gardens,” Quick said.
And there are other non-literary items available at the library as well.
“We also check out fun things like ukuleles, Playaways, and microscopes,” Quick pointed out.
For those stuck at home this summer, the library offers a Homebound Book Delivery service “to residents of the Silver Falls Library District, of any age, who are confined to their home or institution.”
In other words, there is something for just about everyone at the Silver Falls Library, all you’ve got to do is check them out.
Silver Falls Library Cultural Passes
Three-day passes available for reservation up to one month in advance.
• A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village
• Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
• Hallie Ford and Deepwood Museums and Gardens
• Oregon Garden
• Oregon Historical Society
• Portland Chinese Garden
• Portland Japanese Garden
• Willamette Heritage Center
• Central Cascades Wilderness (June 15 – Oct. 15)
