(Radio Iowa) – A popular program that’s being used by patrons of 80 Iowa libraries is being suspended, temporarily, starting January 1st. The Iowa Adventure Pass gives library card holders free admission to all sorts of attractions statewide, like museums and zoos. The program was started in 2017 at the Grimes Public Library, where assistant director Karalee Kerr says the program’s software is ending operations for libraries across the country at year’s end. “It’s been very, very popular, so we were a little bit surprised to get the notification that the software company wasn’t going to continue,” Kerr says, “but it’s never been in doubt that we would look for ways to make it continue.”

Kerr says the Massachusetts-based provider that’s been facilitating the service is closing at the end of the month. “I think there will be a short gap where we don’t have passes available,” she says, “but it’s my hope that very soon, after the new year, we would be able to have it open again for people to start making reservations.”

Grimes is seeking a new vendor to facilitate the program and hopes to bring back the Iowa Adventure Pass sometime in 2025.