Grand Rapids Residents: You can "check out" passes to great events!

**GUEST POST**
This post is specific to Grand Rapids, MI. Inquire at your local library to see if they offer a similar program.

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Did you know that you could check out tickets to Grand Rapids area cultural and sporting events and performances?

Did you know you could check out admission passes to Grand Rapids area museums?

Isn't that AWESOME?!

Here is how it works. First, you do have to be a card-carrying member of the Grand Rapids Public Library. Kent District Library (or other library systems) are not eligible. If this is you; it's high time you befriended a townie because the passes are good for six people. They have to be used within six days of being checked out, and you can only check out one at a time.

Unlike books, you can't place a hold on these passes. You need to be real nice to your librarian (cookies work well) and ask them to tell you where the pass you want is 1) currently located (they rotate around the library system) 2) when it is next available 3) which desk has the passes. For example, some are at the reference desk, and some are in the children's section. It depends on the branch.

Then just be ready to get to that location. I stood on the front steps of the downtown branch on a very cold November morning; waiting for it to open and then bolted to the desk as soon as they unlocked the doors. This is like day after Thanksgiving shopping. No mercy.

So where can you go with these magical passes?

• Grand Rapids Ballet
• Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
• Grand Rapids Griffins
• Opera Grand Rapids
• West Michigan Whitecaps
• Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
• Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
• Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Grand Rapids Children's Museum
• John Ball Zoo
• Public Museum of Grand Rapids

Sometimes the Library gets passes to other performances too; like the Opera. You just have to check with them and see if there is anything special going on. Now go ahead - check it out!

Jennifer Rees lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is the author of BigBinder, a blog for parents in Grand Rapids encouraging others to engage in cultural, culinary, and fun activities and events with their kids. She is also the Michigan Mom for MomTV.com. Jennifer is married with two adventurous young children, and is actively involved in her local community, her kids' school, and her church. Her email is bigbinderblog@gmail.com and she can almost always be found on Twitter @bigbinderblog.