VILLAGE OF FAYETTEVILLE – In partnership with a local Girl Scout, the Fayetteville Free Library is soliciting donations for a musical instrument drive launching this month.
The library at 300 Orchard St. requests that community members dust off their intact but underused instruments for the purpose of passing them on to the next crowd of aspiring players.
The initiative will serve as the Gold Award project, or capstone achievement, decided upon by Troop 10168 member Sarah Rinzan, who intends to sustain the program into her college years and beyond. The Gold Award—the highest attained in Girl Scouting—is given out for the creation of an answer to an ongoing, unmet need in a particular area.
“With my project, I was looking to make music resources more accessible,” said Rinzan, now a junior at Fayetteville-Manlius High School. “I approached the library as a natural partner because of their experience in lending out books and also because they’re a central hub in the community.”
The program, Rizan said, allows borrowers to checkout instruments for an extended but noncomittal period of time.
She said the program will benefit anyone hesitant about purchasing an instrument based only on a snap judgement.
“Like many kids, I took piano lessons for four years before realizing the keys weren’t for me but the violin was,” Rinzan said. “If I was able to try the violin beforehand, I would’ve saved my parents the expense of the piano that’s now home decor.”
Rinzan has played classical and electric violins for about seven years now, first falling in love with the instrument because of its “versatility” across genres and its standout melodic presence during live performances.
Her latest instrument-sharing service project is meant to appeal to library card-carrying people of all ages, whether that would be chorus and band students making a selection for the remainder of their schooling or someone striving to both pick up a hobby and keep their brain sharp.
“A lot of people think they’re too old to try an instrument because they have other priorities, but I’m hoping the convenience of the library encourages everyone to enjoy the benefits of music,” Rinzan said.
The Fayetteville library will be welcoming donations of such items as cellos, clarinets, trombones, trumpets, ukuleles, acoustic guitars and microphones, though any musical equipment will be considered for the storage room.
“We don’t really know what to expect just because we’ve never tried this before,” said Leah Kraus, the library’s assistant director. “If in doubt, please reach out and we’ll let you know if it’s something we have the space to accept.”
Kraus said the library also intends to secure certain instruments through either private financial donations that come its way or the pursuit of grant funding.
Along with an accompanying form placing responsibility on the borrower for any damages they may cause, there will be a return policy likely lasting three weeks for most. However, Kraus said the loan may be extended to a full year for students using their chosen instrument in school concerts.
The library’s staff members further plan to include instructional resources like sheet music, DVDs, and links to online tutorials as supplements to the new program.
Those willing to contribute instruments are asked to contact library assistant and program coordinator Jake Wicks by emailing [email protected] with their name, phone number and type of donation. From there, an appointment can be made to drop off the instrument at the library’s front desk.
