The library lends passes to local conservation areas, as well as popular museums in Ottawa. These passes may be borrowed for one week and can be reserved in the library catalogue.

Ontario Parks

Ontario Parks provides us with annual passes that are available for loan year-round, and are valid at in any park province-wide for day-use access. Borrow either a customized backpack or a park permit on its own. Backpacks include a pass along with resource books to help you explore the plants, birds and animals you encounter on your adventures. 

Please visit their Park Locator for a map of “operating” park locations and their Operating Dates page to view which parks are open for day-use at different times of the year.

In response to the increased demand and popularity of Ontario Parks, visitors can secure their day-use spot up to five days in advance of arrival in 17 provincial parks. Find out more in their blog article on advance daily vehicle permits.

Conservation Areas and Trails

Customized backpacks, offered in partnership with the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, include a day pass to Gould Lake and Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Areas, along with binoculars and field guides to help you get the most out of your visit. The packs may be borrowed for one week. 

Don't need the full backpack? We also have several stand-alone passes to access the same conservation areas.

In partnership with the Rideau Trail Association, we also loan backpacks to help you plan exciting adventures on the free hiking trails running through Kingston and the County of Frontenac. The customized backpacks contain laminated trail maps, helpful tips for a safe hike, and field guides to help identify the birds and animal tracks you discover along the way. Packs may be borrowed for one week.​

In Kingston

Visit our own Pump House Steam Museum in downtown Kingston. Borrow a pass for free admission of a group of up to 5 individuals. The museum is open seasonally, and it is recommended that you check the museum's website before making the trip.

In Ottawa

Passes are available for museums in Ottawa. Some locations and exhibits may be closed. Please visit their websites for hours of operation and other pandemic precautions.

The Canadian Museum of Nature offers a single pass that will admit a family group of five (maximum of 3 adults per group).

The National Gallery of Canada offers a single pass that will admit a family group of two adults and three youth (children under 12 are always free).

The Canadian Museum of History and The Canadian War Museum offer a single pass that will admit a family of five (maximum of 2 adults per group) into both sites.

The Ingenium brings the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum together in a single pass that provides free admission for a family of (2) two adults and (4) four children to all three museums. Please note that pass holders must make a reservation at least 48 hours before their visit. For booking details visit: ingeniumcanada.org or Call: 1-866-442-4416. Please allow up to 48 hours for the museum to respond. 

In Toronto

The Royal Ontario Museum offers a single pass that will admit up to four visitors. Children ages 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.