If you’re looking to learn a new instrument but can’t afford the steep cost to buy one of your own—you’re in luck!
The Vancouver Public Library has teamed up with Sun Life Financial to launch an innovative musical instrument lending program for anyone with a library card.
The program is the first of its kind for Vancouver—it aims to connect people to the world of music by making instruments easily accessible to anyone who needs them.
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Musicians from Hedley and Mother Mother attended the launch event on June 7th, speaking on the importance of the program and how it will greatly impact our communities.
Jacob Hoggard of Hedley sat down with us to discuss why it was important to him to be associated with the program. “In the face of the last 10 years of government cutbacks on arts funding—it’s an important thing to be able to have a community that not only brings us together, but also encourages the next generation to expand their horizons and know that these opportunities are available to them,” he said.
Sun Life donated $130,000 and 100 instruments to help kick off the instrument lending library. Among the instruments donated were guitars, ukuleles, violins, and portable keyboards.
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The library is currently accepting donations until July 4th, where people can drop of their new or gently used musical instruments to be used as part of the program.
Brief videos will also be available, to assist people with the proper care and usage of the instruments.
The instruments are available to borrow, free of charge, at the Vancouver Public Library’s central downtown branch at 350 West Georgia Street.
