Your Library Card May Provide Free Admission or Discounts to Museums and Cultural Activities

If you're a proud library cardholder, you probably use your card to check out books for free. Doing this lets you improve your knowledge and be entertained without spending money. But you may be missing out on other benefits offered through your library system. 

Many libraries continue to provide new services to meet their communities' growing needs. Whether you use your local library or are a student who frequents your college library, it pays to review the perks provided to patrons. You may get access to museums or cultural activities and events at a discount or, even better, for free. Don't miss out on valuable perks like this. 

Spend an afternoon at the museum without feeling financial upset 

Spending the day at a museum can be a lot of fun. You can learn more about a subject that interests you and leave feeling inspired. But most museums require guests to pay an admission fee. Admission prices vary by museum, but paying $20 or more for adult admission is not unusual. Life is expensive, so a pricey admission fee can quickly impact your wallet. 

Before you plan your next museum outing or purchase a ticket online, check to see if your library offers discounted or free admission benefits. Many libraries provide this benefit to library cardholders. Thanks to such perks, you may be able to keep more money in your bank account while experiencing something new. 

If this perk interests you, contact your library to inquire whether it offers similar benefits. Each library has its own policies, so library staff members are the best people to ask. You may need to request a pass before your intended visit date, so keep this in mind as you make plans. 

Attend cultural events or activities 

If you're a lifelong learner, there may be other ways to put your library card to use, as some libraries host free cultural events or activities. You can fill your free time, learn something new, and meet other community members by participating. 

Examples of available offerings include language classes, pop-up museum exhibits, film screenings, cooking classes, and live musical performances. 

Program availability may change and can vary by age group, so check to see what events your library will be hosting soon. One easy way to stay more informed is to follow your library on social media to learn about new activities and events that are happening soon. 

Look for opportunities to spend less money 

You're not alone if you're working hard to keep your spending in check. Art, educational, and cultural experience discounts and freebies are one way to use your library card membership perks to save money. You may want to consider getting a card soon if you don't have one. It's free and you'll likely only need to provide proof of residency (like a utility bill). 

Benefits like this are a reminder that you can improve your finances by taking advantage of every opportunity to reduce your spending. It's possible to stay on budget without sacrificing having fun. Check out our free personal finance resources for additional tips.