Braving the chilly morning weather, a small crowd forms outside of the Mission Branch Library doors on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Though some of the sleepy faces belong to regular library patrons, the telltale strollers parked on the sidewalk denote those waiting patiently for a family pass, courtesy of Check Out SF.
The Check Out SF program, sponsored by the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, provides each library in the public library system with passes for free entry to 18 attractions. The passes can be checked out with a library card.
“If you get here on time, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll get what you want,” said Belinda Tamayo. “Maybe a second choice.”
Getting a desired pass is a matter of luck much of the time, however. The more popular attractions, like the Exploratorium and the Aquarium of the Bay, are generally snatched up minutes after the library opens on Tuesdays.
“It’s hard to get the good ones,” said 10-year-old Maria Lopez. “The Exploratorium is always taken.”
Passes are good for up to two adults, accompanied by a minimum of one and up to four youth under 18 years of age.
Taking out a family pass is much like taking out a library book — it’s a first-come, first-served process, one pass available per attraction. The user has one week to use the pass before it expires and a new family can check it out.
That’s why every Tuesday morning a gaggle of Mission families waits sleepily outside the library for the doors to open.
Participating venues include the Asian Art Museum, Blue and Gold Fleet Bay Cruise, California Academy of Sciences, California Historical Society, Cartoon Art Museum, Conservatory of Flowers, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Haas-Lilienthal House, Museum of Craft and Folk Art, Museum of the African Diaspora, RocketBoat at Pier 39, SF Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco Zoo, the Walt Disney Family Museum, Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf and Zeum. Some of these attractions are less popular and still available for checkout even after a few days.
The main library rarely has any passes left after a day or two, but the Mission branch often has several options available for those unwilling to confront the chilly morning. Selection always varies after the initial rush, but the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the Haas-Lilienthal House are two that are often left over.
Check Out SF was created in response to severe budget cuts, replacing two “family appreciation” events scheduled each year.
“I really like the program,” says Cardine Ornelas. “We’ve had fun at a lot of places; I think it’s a great idea.”
The program runs through December 31, 2010.