Library Lines: Get free Clipper cards for Bay Area cultural destinations
Through October, Contra Costa County libraries are offering the transit passes for use with Discover & Go reservations.
The Contra Costa County Library system is offering free Clipper cards for use with Discover & Go reservations through October, while supplies last.
The offer is good for select Discover & Go attractions. Contra Costa County residents who are 18 or older can submit a request for Clipper cards by clicking on the banner ad on their Discover & Go pass. For complete instructions and a list of participating venues, visit ccclib.discoverandgo.net.
Clipper cards will be mailed to cardholders’ homes about five business days before their destination visit. The offer is limited to one request per household (for up to two $20 Clipper cards) and is available while supplies last.
This promotion is a partnership between 511 Contra Costa and the library system and is intended to encourage the use of public transportation to visit museums. Since its inception in 2011, Discover & Go has met Contra Costa libraries’ goal of providing access to culture inside and outside the library system by partnering with more than 100 California cultural destinations and enabling more than 1 million visits for library cardholders.
Summer Reading: Through Aug. 5, prizes are available for pick-up at any library branch through the county system’s Summer Reading program. Bring your completed passport or show your online completion badge to get your free book and pin and be entered into the drawing for more prizes.
The fun continues with the final Exploration Station at the Danville Library at 3 p.m. July 11. At this free, science-based, in-person family event, guests can learn about the animals, plants and natural resources that will benefit from reducing our environmental footprint.
Special guests will include the Bay Area Museum’s Try-it-Truck, animal friends from the Lindsay Wildlife Experience museum, the East Bay Regional Park District’s Mobile Visitor Center, Creek Walk with a Naturalist, the Ruth Bancroft Garden, the Museum of the San Ramon Valley and more.
Explore state parks: The California State Library Parks Pass program provides a free vehicle day-use entry for one vehicle at more than 200 participating state parks. Visit the library website to place your hold or check for availability at your local branch.
Outdoor Explorers: Check out an Outdoor Explorers backpack to get free access to any park in the East Bay Regional Park District. The backpacks include binoculars, nature identification guides, a temporary parking pass and a temporary family membership card. Visit ccclib.org/library-of-things online to place a hold today.
Digital equity survey: The Internet is an essential part of everyday life. Yet one in five Californians, including many in Contra Costa County have no access to affordable devices, reliable and affordable broadband service or online skills and training.
Going without a reliable broadband connection can affect the ability to land a better job, provide a better education to the next generation or fully access medical care and government services. Take the Digital Equity Online Survey at bit.ly/CADigitalEquitySurvey and help California create digital equity for everyone. The survey is mobile-friendly and available in 13 languages.
Jazz workshops: At 11 a.m. July 8 in the Moraga Library and July 15 in Walnut Creek’s Ygnacio Valley Library, Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ Performance Ensemble will feature musicians ages 12 to 18 who perform a variety of exciting and challenging jazz classics.
Clean energy: Register for the Zoom event “How to Finance Your Clean Energy Upgrade,” starting at noon July 11, to learn about the federal, state and local incentive programs that can make the switch to a sustainable lifestyle lighter on your wallet.
Visit ccclib.org to sign up for a library card and get connected to books and resources. For questions about library services and programming or account information, contact us via email at ask@library.cccounty.us, on chat at tinyurl.com/cccl-chat or text questions to 925-290-7627.
Brooke Converse is the Contra Costa County Library system’s public information officer and can be reached at brooke.converse@library.cccounty.us.