For Release: January 29, 2015 [email protected] 403-380-7336 Bernice Duguay Communications Coordinator “Spin the Black Circle” -Pearl Jam, Vitalogy Vinyl is back big time at the Lethbridge Public Library. Lethbridge Public Library CEO, Tony Vanden Heuvel, an avid music fan, looked towards an obvious spin off from the Library’s ongoing collaborations with CKXU 88.3FM and today announced that not only has the Library put an amazing Vinyl Collection back on its shelves, three listening stations complete with high quality equipment have been set up at the Main Branch to offer a Vinyl Revival Experience. Does the Library have vinyl? Why can’t we listen to music at the Library? Comments like these, made during a Library ‘red chair’ public engagement campaign last summer, (coupled with CKXU’s desire to further their reach and relevance within the community) began the discussions between the Library and CKXU to get on board with the huge comeback that vinyl is enjoying as the ultimate listening experience. Tony says: “CKXU’s decision to house portions of their vinyl collection at the Library plus the Library’s purchase of additional popular records, together with the new listening stations totally reinforce the Library’s commitment to create liaisons with community partners in order to provide new experiences for customers. We are inviting the entire community to listen to vinyl at the Library. We have always been a destination for music fans, so we know that this listening hub will attract audiophiles, vinyl enthusiasts, the ‘I’ve never listened to vinyl crowd’ and those who just love music. The Library worked with a local audio supplier to provide high- end turntables, CD players, and headphone preamps to boost the quality of the experience.” “CKXU 88.3FM sees our partnership with the Library as a chance to reach out into the community to further share and celebrate music. We already host a massive vinyl record/music festival in Lethbridge every September called ‘Love & Records’ but we wanted to take that further and engage people by providing them with the tools to expand their musical knowledge and love of music” says Aaron Trozzo, Executive Director/Station Manager, CKXU Radio Society. "There is grand vision here and 2015 will see the very first steps in a larger sharing and cataloging process which could include portions of our CD library migrating as well. Depending on how this leg of the journey goes, there may be room for expanding this relationship even further.” "While I don't think that the age of digital files is over by any means, I’m excited by having the listening stations and the vinyl available to Lethbridge residents at the Library" said Aaron, "there has certainly been a resurgence of passionate music listeners who still love holding an album in their hands - looking at the liner notes and artwork and reading the lyrics while the songs are playing." More… Vinyl Revival Experience Page 2 Aaron says “The Lethbridge Public Library has been amazing to work with on this project. I’m excited to have these listening stations available for the public to utilize and I think they will prove to be excellent tools for people to explore and develop their love of music. We are proud as a station to have portions of our library now residing within this collection and can’t wait to see how it grows.” “The public is invited to drop by the Library today to enjoy the launch of the Vinyl Revival Experience. Donuts and refreshments will be served and anyone who would like to come to the Library wearing a t-shirt depicting their favourite band is encouraged to do so. We will be posting video clips of local guests listening to their favourite records on our website and Facebook page. CKXU staff will also be on hand to meet with the public and to share some of the highlights of the vinyl collection with the community” says Tony. At present the Vinyl Collection is for in-house listening only, it cannot be checked out. Vinyl genres include: Blues, Rock, Country, Pop, World, Soundtracks, Hip Hop, Sacred, Classical, Comedy and Band. We’re excited that CKXU has decided to house a portion of their collection at the Main Branch and with the addition of the vinyl purchased by the Library to augment the CKXU offerings the collection totals over 2,000 albums. Listening stations will be available on a first- come, first- served basis. Video clips will provide instructions as to turntable and record use. For more details on the Vinyl Revival Experience tune in to CKXU 88.3FM for ‘LPL On-Air’, Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. and specifically on January 31st, which will feature an interview with Library CEO Tony Vanden Heuvel. “We are very proud to be working together with CKXU 88.3FM in this partnership to further both of our goals of truly being involved with, reflective of, and driven by the communities we serve”, says Tony. -30- .