THE LIBRARY MASCOT, ANDREW CARDNEGIE, HANGS OUT AT THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM, ONE OF THE AMENITIES THAT CAN BE ACCESSED WITH THE RAD PASS. | PHOTO COURTESY ALLEGHENY REGIONAL ASSET DISTRICT

The RAD Pass, which has provided thousands of Allegheny County library card holders free and discounted access to local attractions and museums for the last two summers, is being extended year-round.

The expanded program is called RAD Pass: Year-Round Fun for Everyone, and aims to remove the financial barrier to the county’s cultural institutions. You can see the full list of participating organizations here.

The program kicked off in April 2024 for the summer to provide greater access to the area’s cultural amenities, such as the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and National Aviary, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh or even concerts by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra or Pittsburgh Opera. Since then, more than 100,000 attendees have booked visits through the RAD Pass.

The pass is provided by the Allegheny Regional Asset District, which since 1993 has supported many of Pittsburgh’s cultural amenities through special tax revenue. Much of that revenue goes to support local parks, libraries, cultural institutions as well as funds projects for municipalities in the county.

“RAD Pass has always been about opening the doors of Pittsburgh’s cultural treasures to everyone, and we’re proud to carry forward that legacy with this next chapter of the program,” RAD Board Chair Dusty Elias Kirk said in a statement.

THE LIBRARY’S MASCOT, ANDREW CARDNEGIE, TRIES TO LEAN LIKE ALBERTO GIACOMETTI’S WALKING MAN SCULPTURE AT THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART, ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE THE RAD PASS PROVIDES FREE ACCESS. | PHOTO COURTESY ALLEGHENY REGIONAL ASSET DISTRICT

More than two dozen organizations, including more live performance groups, have joined RAD Pass or increased their ticket availability, officials said at a press conference on Wednesday. Also added are opportunities to participate in hands-on workshops at places like the Pittsburgh Glass Center and Contemporary Craft.

This is how to obtain a RAD Pass:

• Get a free library card at any Allegheny County library location. This can be obtained online or by visiting one of the libraries.
• Visit RADPass.org to review the free and discounted passes available. They can be booked three months in advance.
• Book a RAD Pass with the library card.
• Redeem your pass by following the instructions at the bottom of the RAD Pass.

The RAD Pass also is promoting literacy, officials say. During the RAD Summer Staycation in 2024, more than 36,000 new library cards were issued.

In addition to the RAD Pass, the district will continue its RAD Days, which provide free concerts, tours, community festivals and ice skating opportunities.

You can find out more here: RADworkshere.org/events.