No quiet please as libraries lend instruments

Take down the “quiet please” signs – Scotland’s libraries want visitors to make some noise.

An initiative designed to get musical instruments into the hands of as many people as possible is encouraging library users to pick up a banjo, bagpipe or a bodhran with their books.

The project, We Make Music Instrument Libraries, is run by the Music Education Partnership charity and community music group Tinderbox Collective. It is also aiming to give old instruments a second life, asking the public to donate disused items which can be reconditioned.

The event will launch today as part of Edinburgh’s Hidden Doors Festival, with a street band takeover.

Mae Murray of Music Education Partnership said: “Music enriches the lives of everyone who has the opportunity to participate.”

The initiative will be rolled out at Jenny Lee Library at Lochgelly Centre in Fife, Kilwinning Library and Harbour Arts Centre in North Ayrshire, and in Edinburgh where six libraries (Craigmillar, Drumbrae, Muirhouse, Wester Hailes, Moredun and Central) will take part.

Each will stock a variety of instruments from guitars to keyboards and ukuleles to violins.

A special Make Music Day event will see bands play in selected libraries on June 21.