Library Corner: Access Grand: You never knew you could do this with a library card

If you have ever gotten lost in a great book, you know that reading can expose you to new experiences. But what if your library card could provide access to real adventures, not only those on the written page? What if you could swim, ski, listen to live music, or visit a museum, all because you have a library card?

Introducing Access Grand, an innovative new library collection launching in 2018. The program, supported by the Friends of Grand County Library, enables the library district to purchase passes to local recreational and cultural institutions and then make them available for check-out, like a book or DVD.

“The idea really stemmed from removing barriers,” said Anna Szczepanski, director of library resources and technology for the Grand County Library District. “Libraries are about providing access to ideas and education. We wanted to expand that access to include the cultural and recreational opportunities that are so much a part of our lives here.”

Szczepanski sees libraries going in new directions: two years ago the Colorado State Parks put park passes in libraries to circulate. The Denver Public Library checks out “day memberships” to the Museum of Nature and Science.

“I thought this is something special. We could do this, too,” said Szczepanski. “Now we may be the first skiing library district.”

Passes for check out include lift ticket vouchers to Ski Granby Ranch, entrance to all the Grand County Museums, passes for the Grand Park Recreation Center and the Silverthorne Recreation Center, trail access for Grand Lake Nordic and Devil’s Thumb Nordic, and tickets for the Grand County Concert Series. Quantities of some items are limited.

The willingness of these local businesses and organizations to participate in something new and relatively unknown make the collection a reality.

“Granby Ranch is excited to participate in the Access Grand program in our county. Getting local families outdoors to experience their own community is in keeping with our mission to create a community where families, friends and teammates can connect, live, play and enjoy the natural environment of the Colorado Rocky Mountains,” said Melissa Cipriani, CEO of Granby Ranch.