Montreal public libraries now lending musical instruments for free

You cantake out a xylophone with that book on your next trip to certain Montrealpublic libraries.

EightMontreal public libraries will now be lendingguitars, keyboards, drums, violins, ukulelesand xylophones to its members for free.

The new initiative is part of theSun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library program, which launched in Toronto and Vancouver in April andJunerespectively. Montreal is the first city in Quebec to take part in the program.

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Sun Life Financial is providing $108,860 in funding and is donating 100 musical instruments to the City of Montreal as part of the project.

"We are delighted to partner with Sun Life Financial to help Montrealers discover the wonderful world of music through this innovative service," Montreal Mayor Denis Coderresaid in a statement on Monday.

Coderre added the program fits with the city's new child policy, which aims in partto provide "access to culture, sports and leisure."

Anyonewill be able to borrow the instruments, free of charge, with a valid card from one of the following public library branches:

• Du Bois
• Georges-Vanier
• La Petite-Patrie
• Maison culturelle et communautaire
• Plateau-Mont-Royal
• Saint-Lonard
• Saul-Bellow
• Verdun.

Montreal public libraries will also be running a musical instrument donation drive untilDec. 24. People can drop off their new or slightly used instrumentsat the above locations (with theexception of theDu Bois and Saint-Lonard libraries).

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