California's State Library Park Pass Program Renewed Amid Budget Challenges

The state library park pass program in California has been renewed for another year, allowing residents to borrow passes from local libraries to access state parks for free. This decision comes despite the looming $45 billion budget deficit for fiscal year 2025. The program, which began two years ago, was saved thanks to the efforts of advocates who campaigned for its continuation. The renewed funding of $6.75 million will allow over 200 state parks to remain accessible to library cardholders, offering free parking for vehicles with up to nine occupants.

The initiative has been praised for its positive impact on low-income families and communities of color, making outdoor recreation more accessible to those who might not afford the usual entry fees. Rachel Norton, the executive director of the California State Parks Foundation, commended the legislature and the governor for restoring full funding to the program. Library officials, like Amy Boese from Merced County, highlighted the program's role in making family adventures achievable and promoting equity in access to California's natural beauty.

The popularity of the program is evident, with high demand for passes in various counties. For example, Orange County public libraries loaned out nearly 10,000 passes in the last year, while San Francisco libraries saw over 2,500 checkouts since the program's inception. Libraries have also developed additional services around the passes, such as educational programming and lending out backpacks with nature guides and binoculars. Boese emphasizes that the program aligns with libraries' mission to foster lifelong learning through both reading and experiences, ensuring that libraries are gateways to broader educational and recreational opportunities.