Sweet Home Library to lend two state park passes, wilderness passes expected

The City of Sweet Home Library Advisory Board heard May 21 that the library has been awarded two state parks parking passes that will be available for patrons to check out beginning in early June. Library director (speaker S5) said the state distributed 95 passes statewide and the Sweet Home library received two.

"I just received word yesterday that they are giving us 2," the director said, adding, "So we got 2 of them. So exciting." The director clarified the passes are parking passes (not camping permits) and said the state fee structure is about $75 for a year or $10 for a day; she also said the library plans to ask the city council to approve a fine for lost state passes because the state will not replace them if they are not returned.

Why it matters: The passes expand low-cost access to state parks for local residents and visitors, but the library and board highlighted that any fine or fee connected with the passes requires city council action because fines are part of the municipal fee schedule. The director said wilderness passes have typically been distributed later; the library expects to receive those mid-June if the program runs on its usual schedule.

Next steps: The library will receive the two state park passes in early June and will propose (via the city council) how to handle fines for lost passes; no formal council action on fines had occurred at the board meeting.