The Indiana Library Passport (ILP) is a free, mobile-friendly literacy program that enters library visitors into prize drawings when they use the program’s geo-location check-in service. The program is sponsored by the Indiana State Library and encourages people to visit Indiana libraries and learn historical facts about libraries across the state. The digital online platform is powered by Bandwango, a well-known technology company in the travel industry.
The Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library is proud to be among the Indiana libraries that are participating. The program initially kicked off in the summer of 2022. MPHPL earned one of the 70 initial library checkpoints due to the unique and historical significance of our MPHPL Shiojiri Room and Heritage Room at our downtown Mishawaka Library location.
In May of 2023, the ILP program was relaunched, providing new features and prize opportunities. Now more than 236 library districts and 400 individual Indiana library locations are now part of the program. When participants check in at participating libraries, they are automatically entered into a quarterly drawing for the chance to win a prize package, including, but not limited to, tickets to historical tours, sites, museums and theaters, architecture books, gift cards from local and national merchants. All prizes are while supplies last.
In addition to the continued quarterly prize drawings, passport users are now able to earn points that they can redeem for a limited-edition Indiana Library Passport mug. The new passport lets users see how far each library is from their current location.
The Indiana Passport is a free mobile-exclusive program with no app to download. Anyone can sign up for the passport on the state library’s website. Once registered, passport users receive a link on their smartphone that can be added to their phone’s home screen, giving users direct access to their passport.
To sign up for free or learn more about the ILP, visit https://passport.library.in.gov/. If you are signed up for the program and need help checking in to specific locations or have a technical issue while using the program, contact Bandwango via email or call or text at 888-921-5333.
