HALIFAX - Nova Scotia rocker Joel Plaskett says the library was always a source of inspiration for his music, and he hopes a new program that allows the public to borrow instruments will help encourage more musicians in the Halifax area.
Plaskett was on hand today for the launch of the Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library program, which allows anyone with a library card to borrow instruments including guitars, banjos and drums from any of the Halifax Public Libraries.
Speaking from the Alderney Gate Public Library in Dartmouth, Plaskett said he grew up borrowing recorded music from the library, which in turn inspired his own songwriting.
But he lived in a musical household where he had access to a variety of instruments, and he recognized that most people don't have that option.
He says the library program will allow the public to easily explore instruments without having to shell out big bucks to buy or rent gear.
Sun Life Financial has donated $140,000 to the Halifax Public Libraries to pay for the program's operating costs, and has also provided 150 guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, violins, drums and portable keyboards.
