Nine Scottish libraries to loan out musical instruments
There will be six libraries from Edinburgh, two from North Ayrshire, and one from Fife all part of the new project.
A brand-new initiative to get musical instruments into public libraries across Scotland is underway.
Music and libraries aren’t two words often used together, but a programme based in Edinburgh is working towards a project which would see musical instruments being part of the many items you can book out of a library.
'We Make Music' from Muirhouse, Edinburgh is working with the Tinderbox Project charity and have 9 libraries already signed up, after a successful pilot scheme in 2019.
There will be six libraries from Edinburgh, two from North Ayrshire, and one from Fife all part of the new project.
As part of the exciting new initiative the libraries will have days for kids to go in and try out the instruments and even play them together.
Free to rent
Assistant Director at the Tinderbox Project, Jed Milroy tells {{thisStation}} it will make taking up an instrument more inclusive and allow financially struggling parents to encourage their children.
He said: “One of the most important things if young people want to have access to music is they need access to the musical instruments.
“Sometimes the cost can be a barrier. So, it's a chance for people to try it out.
“There's a music group going to be associated with each library. So, there'll be music classes and taster classes for young people to try it out. And we've also got the tinderbox online music school, where people can get online lessons for free.”
Crowdfunder
Before all the libraries can go ahead full-time with the new scheme, they are first raising money to purchase certain instruments. With £1600 already being raised in a few weeks, the Tinderbox Project and We Make Music are aiming to raise £5,000.
This money would go towards the purchase and maintenance of instruments stocked in each library. Jed hopes that £5,000 will only be the start of the project and with success they can spread it to libraries all across Scotland.
He told {{thisStation}}: “That £5000 is going to be the start of what we hope will be a national project where pretty much most libraries, you're able to get an instrument.
“That money is going fund the instruments that we need to put into those places. I think what we get in will be a mixture of instruments based on demand.
“We know that keyboards, guitars and ukuleles are all going to be very popular so we'll get a good solid base of the popular instruments and we'll hopefully be able to take requests.”
You can donate to the new scheme on the crowdfunder
Will there be music library near me?
Here is a full list of the libraries which will be the first in the country to be part of the new programme.
Fife - Jenny Lee Library at Lochgelly Centre
North Ayrshire - Kilwinning library and Harbour Arts Centre
Edinburgh - Craigmillar, Drumbrae, Muirhouse, Wester Hailes, Moredun, and the music library in Central library