As people consider what fun outings to include in summer plans, it's helpful to know that the Santa Clara County Library District includes free museum passes through its Discover & Go program.
While many in person visits to museums were discontinued during the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020-2023, several venues have re-opened and now offer free passes. All require advance sign-up and a specific reservation date to secure these free passes.
From the SCCLD site, here is basic info on the Discover & Go program, which is included as a free benefit to library patrons with valid library card.
What is Discover & Go
Discover & Go is a program provided by your library that offers free and low-cost passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theatres, and other cultural destinations. You must meet your library's minimum age requirement and live within your library's service area to use the Discover & Go Service.
How do I get a Pass?
Log in with your library card credentials and browse for passes by date or attractions. Make your reservation and print or download your pass shortly before your visit. You can have two active reservations per library card. If you reserve a pass and do not use it or cancel the reservation, the unused pass will count towards your limit. Remember that once you print or download your pass you cannot cancel your reservation. Pass is non-transferable. Valid photo ID is required.
Some of the available venues include the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz, the deYoung Museum in San Francisco, the San Jose Museum of Modern Art, NUMU-the New Museums of Los Gatos, San Mateo County History Museum and more.
- Age Limit: Minimum age to reserve a pass is 18.
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Residency requirements: You must live within the library’s service area in order to log in and reserve passes. The site is set up to track a patron’s zip code. If you do not qualify to reserve a pass because your zip code is not in the library’s jurisdiction, we recommend that you try your home library (within your zip code) since many local library systems offer Discover & Go.
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Reserving passes: You can have two active reservations at a time. The pass is non-transferable and only for use by person who made the reservation for date specified.
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Reservations not cancelled: If you reserve a pass and do not use it or cancel the reservation, the unused pass will count towards your limit.
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International languages: Google Translate is now available on Discover & Go, so you may be able to set labels and descriptions in a language of your choice.
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Printed passes and Mobile passes: Most attractions will require that users print their passes in order for the venue to collect the printed passes. The information will be provided on the attraction’s page. If an attraction requires a printed pass, mobile passes will not be accepted.
- Please note a valid identification is required on the day of your visit.
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Geolocation: Under Map View, you have the option to provide your current location so the site can display attractions nearby.
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Searching for attractions: You can search by attractions or locations. In addition, you can apply the filter that lets you search for 3 types of passes
- Free passes
- Discounted passes
- Mobile passes accepted
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Email reminders: You will receive 3 email notifications once a reservation is made. This includes:
- Confirmation email
- Reminder email
- Survey email after visit
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Release of new museum passes: Passes are available 3 months in advance. That includes current month plus 2 additional months. Passes are released at 12 am on the first of each month.
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Replacement Cards: If you were issued a new library card and you need to transfer your current reservation to your new card, please contact support. Be sure to include your old library card number, your new library card number, and your email address. You can also ask for assistance at the Accounts Desk.
- If you have further questions, look at these Discover and Go FAQs, opens a new window.
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