Striking a Chord with the Library of Things
Hi, my name is Katherine and recently I was impressed when I discovered the Library of Things at Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL). But it wasn’t until my eight-year-old son, Blake, asked if we could learn to play the guitar together that I realised just how useful these resources and programmes at MCHL can be and not just for the community, but for families like mine.
Rather than buying a guitar (and potentially letting it gather dust), borrowing one from the library seemed like the perfect way to try something new. The beauty of the Library of Things is that you don’t have to make a big investment to start exploring a new hobby. You can borrow all sorts of items from musical instruments to telescopes to sewing machines. Which is a great way to experiment without the cost or commitment.
After signing up and paying for the six-week “Introduction to Guitar” course, Blake and I walked into our first lesson and were each handed an acoustic guitar from the Library of Things collection to borrow. The lessons are open to anyone from 8 to 80 years old, so it was the perfect opportunity for us both to start our musical journey together.
(E)lephant (A)nd (D)onkey (G)row (B)ig (E)ars! That is our mnemonic for remembering the names of the strings. We are getting better at strumming, learning finger transitions (which is tricky for a beginner), and tuning our guitars. We have even managed to play Mary Had a Little Lamb on one string after two lessons! Our goal is to be able to play a full song by the end of the six weeks.
It has been an unexpected bonding experience for Blake and I, and a great reminder of how the Library of Things isn’t just about borrowing objects. It is about creating opportunities for growth and shared experiences that bring people together.
If you have ever wanted to try a new hobby, whether it’s an instrument, a new skill, or just something out of the ordinary, the Library of Things is the perfect place to start. And the best part? You don’t have to make a huge investment to give it a go.
Wish us luck on our musical journey, and thanks to MCHL for making this all possible through the Library of Things and the Introduction to Guitar lessons. I’ll update you as I go!
To learn more about the Library of Things collection, visit: Library of Things | Manawatū Community Hub Libraries
Photo of 8-year-old Blake currently taking guitar lessons at the community hub.
Katherine has borrowed guitars for herself and her son from the Library of Things collection and is learning guitar as part of MCHL offerings.