Our aim is to get musical instruments into public libraries across Scotland so people can borrow them for free, just like taking out a book.
by Jack Nissan in United Kingdom
If we raise more money, we will look to open-up more musical instrument libraries in different areas around Scotland. We will also organise music events and workshops for people within the libraries, buy more music software and midi keyboards so people can access music production facilities in libraries, and develop a good online learning resource to help people get started playing music with the instruments they borrow.
We Make Music Instrument Libraries is a brand new initiative to get musical instruments into public libraries across Scotland, so people will be able to borrow them for free, just like taking out a book! The programme is launching with nine libraries in Fife, North Ayrshire and Edinburgh, with the intention that it spreads further across Scotland in future.
The first instrument libraries include the Jenny Lee Library at Lochgelly Centre in Fife, Kilwinning library and Harbour Arts Centre in North Ayrshire, and in Edinburgh there will be six libraries covering different areas of the city: Craigmillar, Drumbrae, Muirhouse, Wester Hailes, Moredun, and the music library in Central library. They will stock a wide variety of instruments from guitars, keyboards and ukuleles, to violins, trombones and orchestral instruments, as well as music software and midi keyboards so people can make music on library computers. Each library is paired with a local music project or the local authority’s instrumental music service, and all of the libraries are keen to build links with other music groups, schools, community projects and venues.
We want to fill these libraries with as many musical instruments and learning resources as we can. All money will go towards buying, repairing and servicing donated instruments and getting them into the libraries in good condition. We also want to buy music software and midi keyboards so people can start making music on library computers. Once the instruments are in the libraries, we want to offer music workshops and introductory lessons, develop online resources, and organise live music events in and around the libraries. The more money we raise and the more instruments people donate, the more music libraries we can open up around Scotland!
You can contribute in 2 ways:
1 - Donate some money or sponsor an instrument here on Crowdfunder. Any contribution is hugely appreciated - have a look at our rewards page for more info.
2 - Donate a musical instrument - if you have a musical instrument lying around that you'd like to donate to the libraries, we would love to hear from you! Please contact [email protected] and we can organise it from there.
Libraries, Music Projects & Community Groups - If you would like to link-up with any of the existing libraries or start a new one in your local area, we'd love to hear from you too! Please contact [email protected]
We are organising a series of launch events and music workshops in and around the libraries to get things moving: Make Music Day on 21st June will see a number of live music performances in several libraries, and on 12th June we're celebrating Edinburgh's new instrument libraries with a Street Band Takeover at Hidden Door festival that you are welcome to join in with as well!
The people involved in organising the project come from a mix of local authority library services, community music groups, schools and music education projects.
They include:
Have a look at the rewards section of this campaign for details about the different rewards available. Any contribution is hugely appreciated.
Note: live music shows currently available for the "Live Music Lover" and other rewards include:
Hidden Door Festival, 12th June (Edinburgh Instrument Libraries Launch) - 20 tickets available.
Tinderbox Orchestra @ the Edinburgh Fringe (Aug 5-7, 10-14, 17-21) - 20 tickets available.
Pianodrome Live @ the Edinburgh Fringe (Aug 5-29) - 10 tickets available.
+ More to be announced!
A massive thanks to these groups for offering free tickets to support the campaign.
This project offers rewards in return for your donation