A Cherry Hill Public Library card can provide access to much more than books.
Through the library’s Museum Pass Program, Cherry Hill residents with a valid library card can reserve passes to participating museums at no charge, giving individuals and families an opportunity to explore cultural, historical and educational attractions throughout the region without paying regular admission fees.
The program is supported by the Friends of the Cherry Hill Public Library in partnership with the Cherry Hill community.
The selection gives cardholders plenty of options for planning a day trip, ranging from museums and historic sites to attractions focused on science, art, aviation and wildlife.
Among the participating attractions are Battleship New Jersey, the Museum of the American Revolution and Please Touch Museum.
The Battleship New Jersey pass admits two adults and three children. The Museum of the American Revolution pass covers admission for two adults and four youths, and the Please Touch Museum pass provides general admission for up to six people and includes carousel rides.
The program’s reach extends beyond Philadelphia and Camden County.
Participating attractions also include Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton, Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May, Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center in Millville and Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford.
Cardholders interested in traveling farther can find options in New York City as well, including the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum and New York Transit Museum.
Because participating institutions and individual pass benefits can change, patrons should check the library’s current Museum Pass list when planning a visit.
Anyone with a valid Cherry Hill Public Library card can make a museum-pass reservation. There is no charge to reserve or borrow a pass, and reservations can often be made as far as 45 days in advance.
Cardholders can reserve up to five different museum passes during a calendar month, with each individual museum limited to one reservation per month. Patrons may have up to five reservations at one time, but only three museums can be reserved for a specific date.
The number of people admitted with each pass varies by attraction, making it important for patrons to review the individual museum’s rules before making plans.
The library offers two main types of passes: print-on-demand passes and physical passes.
Print-on-demand passes can be printed from home and taken directly to the attraction on the reserved date. The patron’s name and reservation date appear on the pass, and there is no need to visit the library to pick it up or return it afterward.
Physical passes must be picked up at the Cherry Hill Public Library. According to the library’s general Museum Pass guidelines, physical passes are available beginning at 3 p.m. the day before the scheduled visit and on the day of use. They are generally due back by 11 a.m. the following day.
Patrons should pay close attention to the instructions listed for the individual pass, however, because procedures and admission requirements can vary among participating institutions.
A library card is required to pick up a physical pass. If someone is picking up a pass on behalf of another cardholder, that person must bring the library card used to make the reservation.
Physical passes can be returned to the library’s Reference Desk or the Media Drop Box. When the library is closed, patrons can use the outdoor Media Drop Box near the front entrance.
Returning passes on time is important because other patrons may have reservations immediately afterward. The library charges a $15-per-day late fee, with a maximum fine of $75 per pass. A pass that has not been returned within five days of its due date is considered lost, and the borrower may be responsible for its replacement cost.
Patrons who make a reservation and later change their plans can review or cancel reservations online or contact the library’s Reference Desk.
The library also strongly recommends confirming hours and procedures with both library staff and the attraction before visiting. Some museums use timed-ticketing systems or have additional requirements that visitors need to follow.
Accessibility accommodations also vary. The library notes that most museums in the program are accessible, but patrons who require specific accommodations should contact the individual institution for additional information.
For families in particular, the program can make visiting museums and attractions more affordable while introducing residents to destinations they may not have considered visiting before.
It is also another way a Cherry Hill Public Library card can connect residents with experiences beyond the library building itself.
Passes can be reserved online or by calling the Cherry Hill Public Library Reference Desk at 856-667-0300, option 2. The library is located at 1100 Kings Highway North in Cherry Hill.
Because availability, participating museums and individual admission benefits can change, patrons should consult the current Museum Pass list when making plans.
