Back-to-School Program to Issue ‘Passports’ to Library, Museums

Hundreds of volunteers were busy stuffing back-to-school bags for more than 50,000 Los Angeles County schoolchildren Friday as part of a program to encourage children to use their public library branches and to visit museums.

Last year, the “passport program,” a joint effort of the 88 Los Angeles County public libraries, Los Angeles County schools and area museums, helped increase library cards among youngsters by 200%, spokeswoman Hanna Schmieder said.

On the first day of school, children will receive bags filled with colored pencils, calculators and paper and will be invited to visit their branch libraries with their parents. At the libraries, children will receive a free pass to 32 museums.