Southborough – At its monthly meeting, Friends of the Southborough Library weighed the costs and benefits of the 13 museum passes it makes available to Southborough residents. Over the past year, the passes saved Southborough patrons an estimated $25,000, yet some are underutilized.
Nicole Debonet provided the analysis and serves as the group's vice president.
“All of the passes pay for themselves. For some it is many times over and others much less,” Debonet said.
While the Boston museums are perennially popular, Mystic Aquarium and Roger Williams Park Zoo saw relatively little use.
“We want to spend our money wisely,” Debonet said.
Members suggested dropping the zoo in favor of another local attraction, such as Sturbridge Village. First they want to determine if people were simply unaware that those passes are available.
“Patrons may not realize we offer passes to places out of state,” Friends President Beth Melo said.
“Roger Williams is a beautiful zoo and only an hour's drive away. If the pass is used more often we should continue to offer it,” Debonet said.
She urged residents to check out the zoo pass and the others available through the library at http://www.southboroughlib.org/services/museum-passes/.
Anyone interested in helping the Friends” efforts to raise funds for these passes, as well as other programs and services, is invited to contact Friends Corresponding Secretary Valarie Lefavour at [email protected].
The Friends of the Southborough Library will hold its next meeting Wednesday, Nov.14, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the downstairs book-sale room.
