Borrowing a tune: Vancouver Library launches musical instrument lending program by Denise Ryan

Denise Ryan
   

Published on: June 7, 2016 | Last Updated: June 7, 2016 8:03 AM PDT

Vancouver Public Library's Sandra Singh with the musical instruments that are now available as part of the library's new musical lending program. Mark van Manen / PNG

Starting Tuesday, dozens of musical instruments, including  guitars, ukuleles, banjos, keyboards, xylophones and drums, will be available free to anyone with a library card as the Vancouver Public Library launches an innovative new lending program. The launch, fittingly, will be a musical event jam packed with talent, including Jacob Hoggard of Hedley, Mother Mother, Ryan & Molly Guldemond, as well as students from the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.

The program was the brainchild of Vancouver’s own Shaw Saltzberg of NextStage Entertainment, who, after a career repping global stars such as Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, Elvis Costello and McLachlan, started thinking about how he could bring his love of music to the wider community.

“I wanted to focus on things that would have a real social impact,” he said.

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8 Children's Libraries That Make You Wish You Were A Kid Again Jill Harness • Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 5:00 AM •

I  don't know about you guys, but I loved my local library when I was a kid. But with all the distractions of mobile devices, games, and more, many kids never even visit the library and when they do, they find it to be boring. That's why some libraries have really made an effort to encourage kids not only to keep reading but also to see just how much fun can be had at the library. Here are a few branches that go above and beyond when it comes to keeping kids entertained.

1. Brentwood Library

Perhaps one of the most visually impressive children's museums in America, the Brentwood Library's children's area features a charming entrance adorned in oversized books and a massive storybook tree. An animatronic owl greets visitors when it is triggered by a motion sensor. Inside the kid's section, the walls are covered in paintings of fairytale forests and between the rows of books are charming artificial trees.
The second Friday of each month means LEGO Mania time and summer reading programs feature musicians, puppets, magicians, live animals and more. During the school year, they have an after-school program that includes snacks, crafts, games and books.
Image Via CajunKev [Flickr]

2. Laramie County Library

Seeing pre-teen zombies roaming around the library after dark is no big deal at the Laramie County Library, where there are lots of tween activities including an after-hours program that hosts a yearly Zombie Prom.
The library is so popular with the young set that over 3,500 children visit each week and the entire second floor is dedicated to kiddos. The children's space features an oversized chess board, board games, computer stations, story areas and a kid's-size bookmobile to distribute imaginary books. Librarians say parents have a hard time getting children to leave.
Part of the reason the library is so popular with kids is that they can actually volunteer there as long as they are 12 and older. The library even offers a Teen Advisory Board to help decide on what programs would be the most popular with their peers.
Image Via Preston Stafford [Flickr]

Read more...http://www.neatorama.com/2014/09/02/8-Childrens-Libraries-That-Make-You-Wish-You-Were-A-Kid-Again/

Do any of you know of a children's library that should be added here? Or do you maybe have some memories of a special librarian who helped you love the library as a youngster? Share your thoughts in the comments.

 

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