Museum Pass Program Offers Free Trips Through Ridgefield Library

These days, you can get much more from a short visit to the Ridgefield Library than books or DVDs or papers or magazines.

As the Dow and Nasdaq plummet, the library is giving away more for free -- pass privileges to museums and various tourist attractions throughout the area are available for zero charge.

For example, a day at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in town or one at the Guggenheim and American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan can be yours for the asking. A little way up the road you can take in the Katonah Museum of Art and the Danbury Railway Museum.

The Museum Pass Program is a product of the Connecticut Library Consortium, which makes passes available from libraries throughout the state to museums and other attractions not only in Connecticut, but New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

"People love it,’’ said Mary Rindfleisch, Assistant Director of the Ridgefield Library. "Every time I go to the children’s department (where the passes can be obtained), there are people there seeing what is available."

Drive a little farther out of town for a day trip to the Beardsley Zoo – with over 300 animals and 125 species for your wonderment – or the Planetarium in Bridgeport.

"The passes are one of the most popular things we offer," Rindfleisch added.

Passes for discounted admissions are also available for Mystic Seaport and the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. The Ridgefield Library prints a brochure featuring 19 attractions, detailing the exhibits and pass features, plus phone numbers and websites.

Although Connecticut libraries are undergoing budget cuts, the Consortium’s website does not specify whether the Museum Pass Program will be impacted. The Friends of the Ridgefield Library contributes roughly $1,500 annually to the program, along with other libraries throughout the state.

"The Aldrich is happy to take part in the Ridgefield Library’s museum pass,’’ said Pamela Ruggio, Aldrich’s Communications Director. "The Museum embraces such partnerships and looks forward to welcoming library guests, as well as members of other regional nonprofits throughout the year.’’

While the Aldrich enjoys considerable attention, a growing number of residents are branching out down Route 35.

"The program is beneficial. We are getting more and more exposure," said Christina Makrakis, membership manager for the Katonah Museum of Art. "I am sure (the economy) is relevant. More people are using it. People are interested in doing more things for free.’’

During the Ridgefield Library’s last fiscal year (July 2010-June 2011), museum passes were used 436 times, easily more than once a day.

Passes are available with a library card at children’s services, or they can be reserved in advance up to seven days and borrowed for three days.

But if you’re late in returning them, it comes at a price: $10 a day.

"They are our highest fine rate,’’ Rindfleisch said. "People plan their vacation around having them available for certain days.’’

The Aldrich, because it is local, receives a lot of traffic, but Rindfleisch said there are numerous requests for Mystic Seaport, the Beardsley Zoo, the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, the Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk and the New York museums.

Rindfleisch reviews the request demands, subsequently adding and deleting destinations every year.

Mystic Seaport and various state parks and recreational areas are seasonal, but the museums are year round -- be sure to take advantage of this town resource when you can.