Take your library card outdoors, enjoy a free day at Maine State Parks Saturday

This September, the Maine State Library and Maine State Parks are celebrating National Library Card Sign-up Month by giving Maine library card holders a day to enjoy the state’s great outdoors — free of charge.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, simply show your Maine library card at the entrance to any participating Maine state park and enjoy a day outdoors at no cost. Pack a picnic, take a hike, explore with the family or simply find a beautiful spot to read.

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month, a time to celebrate all the ways a library card opens doors to resources, experiences, learning, and community. Thanks to a proclamation by Gov. Janet Mills, National Library Card Sign-up Month will be officially recognized in Maine.

“This collaboration is a perfect way to highlight the value of libraries and the exceptional outdoor values of Maine’s State Parks,” Andy Cutko, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands director, said. “Libraries open your mind to the world of literature and information, and on Sept. 19, your library card is also a ticket to the outdoors.”

“Maine State Library is delighted to partner with Maine State Parks for Maine Library Month,” Lori Stockman, Maine state librarian, said. “With spring upon us, providing free admission to many Maine State Parks on September 19 is a natural extension of the types of services and resources that our public libraries provide regularly to Maine communities.”

Visitors are encouraged to bring a favorite book, find a shady spot, and enjoy some quiet reading time surrounded by Maine’s natural beauty. Whether it’s a novel at Crescent Beach State Park, poetry under a pine at Lamoine State Park or a field guide on a trail atop Bradbury Mountain State Park, the day is a celebration of learning, relaxation and connection.

Don’t have a library card yet? Stop by your local library to sign up — it’s free, and your library opens the door to countless opportunities, from books and digital resources to programs and events.

Find your nearest library at https://me.countingopinions.com/fdir.php. To explore Maine State Parks, including maps and locations, visit parksandlands.com.

Free admission applies to day-use at Maine’s Maine State Parks and Historic Sites on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. until closing.

The free admission does not apply to: Acadia National Park, Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Baxter State Park, Maine Wildlife Park, Peacock Beach, Scarborough Beach, Swan Island, Penobscot River Corridor and Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Prospect.

Maine State Parks offers experiences for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. With over 48 state parks and historic sites across the state, visitors can explore scenic hiking trails, camp under starry skies and enjoy water activities such as swimming, kayaking and fishing. Winter brings opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing, while year-round wildlife watching, picnicking and photography attract nature lovers. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/about/state_parks.shtml.

The Maine State Library works to strengthen library services statewide and transform information into knowledge for all Mainers. The library provides leadership, coordination and resources that empower Maine’s public, school and academic libraries. Learn more at www.maine.gov/msl.