Changing Lives, One Ukulele at a Time: Musical Instrument Lending and Programming

Panelists: ❑ Miranda Huska, Toronto Public Library ❑ Julie Curry, Kitchener Public Library ❑ Julia Harrington, Calgary Public Library Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Libraries Panelists

Miranda Huska Julie Curry Julia Harrington Senior Branch Head Manager Librarian Parkdale Branch Systems and Resources Memorial Park Library Toronto Public Library Kitchener Public Library Calgary Public Library [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Parkdale Branch Musical Instrument Lending Library Location Location Location Queen West Streetcar Diverse / High Needs Community Diverse / High Needs Community Diverse / High Needs Community Diverse / High Needs Community Diverse / High Needs Community Space for now and room to grow

ACCESSORIES & SUPPLIES Donate a new or gently used instrument to the library And help make music more accessible

Guitars Guitars, Acoustic Bass, Tuners, Strings (Nylon and Steel),Soft Cases Keyboards Light Weight PortableKeyboards, Soft Cases Percussion Djembe, Doumbek, Bongo Drums, Xylophones, Cases Brass Trumpet, Cornet, French Horn,Trombone, Baritone Horn, Brass Instrument Cases Woodwind Flutes, Oboes, Bassoons, Clarinets, Saxophones, Woodwind Instrument Cases

Happy Ending CIRCULATION

• Valid Library Card • Signed Lending Agreement • Three week loan period x 3 • Manual Hold system • Staff procedures Programming Programming Programming Programming Programming Programming Community Engagement Community Engagement Community Engagement Community Engagement Some Stories

Borrowing a keyboard allows me to take music lessons. I am budgeting for the purchase of a piano, maybe in 3 -4 years

Perfect! Needed hand drum for one quick recording and I didn’t have to rent one.

Just started leaning the guitar. It’s great that we get to try new instruments to see what fits us the best.

Very satisfy. Easy to get instrument when I need

Allows kids whose parents can’t afford to buy an instrument to try playing.

Location Location Location Music Changes Lives Creating a New Library Collection • Preparing Instruments • Storage and Shelving • Donations

• Cataloguing • Survey • Webpages

• Circulation rules • Volunteers • Evaluation

• Training staff • Promotion • Programming Staff Training

• Strategic approach to training • Make sure staff understand the value of the collection to the community and the library…Take time to provide speaking points and conversation starters • 3 different training sessions developed (varying levels of focus, detail and time) • Circulation staff • Information Services staff • All staff (in Professional Development Day Session) • Why do training? • Ensure comfort level among staff in introducing instruments to customers and how to refer when customers wanted resources to support their learning • Marketing! Training instils confidence and excitement for the collection (rather than fear and trepidation…). Staff one-on-one interactions with customers can really make or break the experience for the customer Circulating Instruments Check-Outs: Check-Ins: • Explain policies • Check all pieces • Find the right instrument • Check bags thoroughly • Show what is included • Make sure everyone completes a • Answer questions survey! Volunteer Support The Volunteer Process: Examples of Maintenance • There are 4 “instrument • Tune stringed technicians” instruments • Volunteers work in the archives • Replacing strings room • Adjusting instruments • Facilities staff move instruments to and from the workspace daily • Cleaning and polishing. • Adding resin to violin bows • Inspecting for damage • Preparing for special events Cataloguing

• Decision to include records or not?

• Records include description of size and weight of the instrument if this is notable

• Keep records brief; if your catalogue will support it, include a picture; recommendation to avoid including the brands of instruments (e.g. Fender, Gibson) unless you want to encourage multiple holds on specific items

• Website: have a separate section/page for your Instrument collection which includes photos, care and maintenance of instruments (YouTube), link to catalogue, resources to support learning an instrument (books, DVDs, kits, musical scores Benefits of the Instrument Lending Library to the community: • People of all ages are borrowing instruments • Parents can introduce children to music • Removes cost barriers • Music related library programs Benefits of the Instrument Lending Library to the Library

• Goodwill in the community. • Great press raises the profile of the library • Usage of musical scores up 42% • Community engagement: 50 Instruments were donated by people in the community • Since July 10, 2017 there have been over 2400 circulations! Circulation Statistics

• # instruments donated in the donation drive: 50

• over 50% of the borrowers of the instrument collection in the first few days after the launch were outside Kitchener

• Increase in # new library card sign-ups in month of the launch – up by 40% (for the same period the previous year

• Instrument circulation: • Within 24 hours of launching the collection, all instruments were on loan • from our launch to the end 2017: 1096 circs • 2018: 2474 circs

• musical scores circulation increase of 40% in the first year and we continue to see an increase through 2018

• Tuners circulated 266 times in 2018 Lessons Learned:

• Research is key: find all the libraries that have instrument programs and identify the ones you think with best resemble the program/collection you want for your library

• Prepare “interview questions” for the libraries you contact

• Simplify and streamline processes for staff and be open to changing things as you work with the collection

• Get everyone involved in operationalizing the collection

• Buy different sizes of guitars and violins

• Make the lending library a part of a greater plan. KPL now offers other music-related programming such as songwriting seminars and music production workshops “We are ALL with the band” Music Services and Events at Calgary Public Library

Julia Harrington, Librarian Memorial Park Library Calgary Public Library, 2019

One Big JAM, July 2018 Agenda

✓ Background: Memorial Park Library ✓ Launch of Musical Instrument Lending ✓ Music Collections ✓ Music Services ✓ Music Programs & Events ✓ Music Outreach ✓ Music Partnerships ✓ Recommendations

Beltline Bonspiel, 2018 Memorial Park Library Central Memorial Park Memorial Park Library Reimagined

“Arts, Culture, Community Hub”

• Refocus upon Arts/Culture • Wordfest / Community Tenants • Hire Staff (ex. Program lead) • Increase Open Hours, After Hours • Renovation of Spaces / Collection • Desktops > Chromebooks • Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Library Decisions, Decisions, Decisions… Launch event, June 2017 Instruments:

• Keyboards • Guitars: • Drums: • 88, 66 note • Various Sizes • Doumbek • Stands • Bass • Bongo • Xylophones • Electric • Cajon • Violins • Classical • Djembe • ¼ - Full Size • Acoustic • Violas • Pedal Steel • Ukuleles • Parlor • Mandolins • Guitar Amps • Banjos Display Case, Sheet Music Instrument Lending Instrument Storage and Processing Music Practice Room Regular Programs

I’m with the Band Group Instrument Classes

Music Programs

My First Music Lessons Meet Up Group Special Topics

Indigenous Drumming Circles Piano Appreciation 101

Songwriting

Vocal Boot Camp Concerts and Festivals

Sled Island Music Lovers Festival Honens Open Air Concert Special Events

One Big JAM Outreach

Beltline Bonspiel, 2018 Partnerships Top Tips for Music Services and Programs

✓ Don’t be intimidated ✓ Explore funding opportunities ✓ Streamline and simplify music services ✓ Partnerships and community connections are key to program and outreach success ✓ Promote well and build your community

Music Lovers Festival, June ‘18 Panelists