The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Partners With San Diego Public Library to Offer Free Family Membership

San Diego, CA, May 22, 2012 - The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (the “Fleet”) is proud to launch “Check It Out” ~ The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in partnership with San Diego Public Library, sponsored by ScholarShare College Savings Plan. This innovative program provides area families unlimited access to the Fleet, with circulating membership cards available for check out at each of the 36 city libraries.

When library patrons check out a Fleet membership card at a branch library, they receive full membership benefits for two full weeks. This includes free admission to the hands-on science galleries for two adults and up to six children under the age of 18, discounts on IMAX® films and digital shows, as well as discounts at Galileo’s Café and the North Star Science Store.

“As a San Diegan whose granddaughter makes good use of the community resources the San Diego Public Library has to offer, I am delighted with the unprecedented opportunity “Check It Out” ~ The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center offers,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kirsch, Executive Director of the Fleet. “By eliminating price as a barrier, our partnership with ScholarShare and the Library provides the widest possible audience of children and families easy access to the science education and hands-on fun that the Fleet offers year-round. We’re thrilled to partner on this unique effort, which makes a Fleet membership as simple for a family to check out as a book or DVD, and furthers our mutual commitment to education.”

The Central Library and each of the 35 branch libraries in the City of San Diego will have two circulating Fleet memberships available for checkout, beginning Thursday, May 24, 2012. The launch of the program allows San Diegans to check out the new

traveling exhibition “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body” opening May 26, along with popular permanent exhibitions like the “Tinkering Studio” for inventive minds, “Cellular Journey” where human cell biology comes to life, and “Kid City” where those age five and under learn about the everyday working world in a safe environment.

“Check It Out” ~ The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is made possible by generous support from ScholarShare College Savings Plan, California’s 529 College Savings Plan. This program will be offered for 24 months.

Customers may check out the membership using the libraries online catalog to search for availability. “Creative partnerships like this are such a great opportunity for families, who turn to their libraries for free resources, cultural connections and recreational opportunities,” said Deborah Barrow, San Diego Public Library Director. “We expect that this easy to check out membership will be extremely popular. The chance to “Check It Out” ~ The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center will open a whole new world of creative exploration for the young and those who are young at heart.”

About the San Diego Public Library San Diego Public Library, which is the largest library system in the region, serves a population of more than 1.3 million people. Its mission is to inspire lifelong learning through connections to knowledge and each other. It is a popular destination that connects this diverse community to free educational and cultural resources that enrich the lives of visitors and residents alike. With 5.6 million visitors, the library is one of the largest providers of information, materials and cultural events and programs in the region. To access the numerous resources or to learn more about the many services and events at the San Diego Public Library’s Central Library and 35 branches, visit the website at www.sandiegolibrary.org.

About ScholarShare College Savings Plan

ScholarShare is California’s 529 college savings plan. Named for the section of the IRS code under which they were created, 529 plans are highly regarded for their tax-advantaged status. Any earnings on investments can grow tax-deferred. Withdrawals, when used for tuition and other qualified higher education expenses, are federal and state income tax free. Accounts can be opened online with as little as $25. The program currently holds more than $4.4 billion in assets and more than 300,000 accounts have been opened since ScholarShare’s inception in 1999. For more information, or to open an account, visit www.scholarshare.com. For information about the ScholarShare Investment Board, visit www.treasurer.ca.gov/scholarshare. Follow us on Twitter at @ScholarShare529.

s film is locally sponsored by

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San Diego Public Library:

Marion Moss Hubbard, Ph.D., Sr. Public Information Officer

619-236-5848

mhubbard@sandiego.gov

ScholarShare Investment Board:

Joe DeAnda, Press Secretary, State Treasurer’s Office

(916) 653-2995

jdeanda@sto.ca.gov