I don’t use it much, but I have to say that the library here in Kitchener is doing a pretty good job of trying to stay relevant and useful in an age where all the world’s collected wisdom can be found just by asking Siri a question. Their latest idea? Lending out musical instruments.
Guitars, pianos and hand drums are all items you can now check out with your library card in Kitchener.
A new instrument lending program was launched Monday at the Kitchener Public Library, thanks to a 150-instrument donation from Sun Life Financial.It’s all part of the library’s mission to transform from book lender to cultural hub, CEO Mary Chevreau told CBC K-W.
“I see the instruments as just another expansion of our literacy mission,” Chevreau said.
“We also are looking at literacy in a broader, more of a renaissance term of literacy. So we’re looking at digital literacy, of course very seriously here, but also cultural literacy and arts and music.”
Library patrons have said they want the opportunity to create their own content, Chevreau said during Monday’s launch.
“We need to be transitioning and transforming all the time,” Chevreau said.
So far, listed on the instruments page are acoustic bass guitars, regular acoustic guitars, banjos, violins, mandolins, ukuleles, keyboards, bongo drums, doumbeks, cajons and xylophones, which should be more than enough to start a pretty sweet band.
If you want to be the one to start that band, here’s how to check them out.
- You must have a library card to borrow an instrument. Visitor and unconfirmed address cards are not eligible.
- You may borrow 1 instrument per card at a time.
- Instruments can be borrowed for 3 weeks, with up to 2 renewals allowed, and may be placed on hold.
- Overdue instruments will be charged $1 per day late. A replacement fee will apply to lost or damaged items.
- All musical instruments must be picked up at Central Library, and returned in-person to the Central Library circulation desk.
And yes, they will happily take donated instruments if you have some to part with that are in decent shape.