Columbus Metropolitan Library expands Culture Pass, offering free Shadowbox tickets

With an oasis of icy-cold air conditioning in the summer, cozy reading nooks and comfy chairs, the library is the perfect place to enjoy a page-turner. But at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, books and reading materials aren't the only things offered.

With the Culture Pass program , library cardholders can check out a pass that will get them free admission or tickets for events, performances and games for central Ohio organizations, just like they would a book.

Over the years, the library has been adding to its list of partner organizations, and most recently, the CML announced that free Shadowbox Live tickets have joined the roster.

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"So many people, when they think about libraries, think about books and reading," said Ben Zenitsky, CML spokesperson. "But really, at our core, what we are about is offering equal access. And that goes well beyond books and reading .

"We want to make sure that everyone in central Ohio is able to enjoy the jewels of our community. And our partners are also able to increase access, participation and inclusion, so it's a win-win."

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Since launching as a pilot program in 2018, the Culture Pass offerings have grown from just two to 15, ranging from a diversity of cultural experiences around central Ohio — from Clippers games and BalletMet performances to art exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Art.

These passes are available to check out in-person at CML's Main Library or the Dublin, Gahanna, Hilliard and New Albany branches, and all cardholders can visit any branch with available passes to check out a pass.

In this year alone, the passes have been in circulation more than 12,000 times, according to data the CML has gathered since the program started.

Zenitsky said it has become more in demand over the years and recommends calling the branch or using CML's online catalog at columbuslibrary.org to check for availability and a location to enjoy all that the pass has to offer.

elim@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: The library's Culture Pass program now offers free Shadowbox tickets