By Michelle Metcalf

NOPL Communications Director

Grab your library card, check out an Explore Outdoors Pass at the library, and get free entry into spots like the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Beaver Lake Nature Center, Oneida Shores, and three other county parks thanks to a partnership between the Onondaga County Department of Parks and Recreation and local libraries.

Two Explore Outdoors passes are available at each Northern Onondaga Public Library (NOPL) location. The passes can be checked out to those 18 years or older for three days at a time and must be returned in person. Holds cannot be placed on the passes, which means that they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For passes borrowed at NOPL, there is an overdue fine of $2 per day.

Park admission fees are covered by the passes, but fees for amenities within the parks such as boat launches, rentals and events are not included.

The passes are part of NOPL’s Unusual Items collection — items that are “unusual” because you wouldn’t expect to be able to borrow them from the library. The collection includes fishing poles, outdoor game sets, robots, streaming devices, and more.

A library card is needed to borrow the Explore Outdoors pass and other Unusual Items from NOPL. For those who don’t already have one, obtaining a library card is easy. Simply bring a photo ID and something showing your current address, such as a driver’s license or non-driver ID.

For more information about the Explore Outdoors passes or any of the other Unusual Items available at NOPL, visit nopl.org/unusual.

Upcoming events

Plant Exchange

10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18
NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St.

Bring plants to give away and pick up something new.

Everson Art Talks

1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 21
NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane

An engaging, open-ended discussion about art, providing an inquiry-based approach to looking at and appreciating art. Presented by the Everson Museum of Art. Light refreshments will be served.

Growing Tomatoes

6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22
NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane

Seed to table: learn all about growing tomatoes in a home garden. Presented by Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners.