Submitted by the Lopez Island Library

The Lopez Library invites everyone to the sixth annual Musical Petting Zoo on Saturday, May 18, from 2-4 p.m. The library will be showcasing the eclectic and extensive collection of musical instruments that are available for checkout by any library cardholder. As the name indicates, this is a hands-on event, and all ages are welcome. Come see what it feels (and sounds) like to play the ukulele, violin, French horn, dulcimer or clarinet, just to name a few.

The library has instruments from every section in the orchestra: woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings. There are also instruments for starting your own folk, Cajun or bluegrass band: guitars, banjos, a mandolin, keyboards and accordions. The Lopez Library was one of the first public libraries to pioneer the practice of circulating a collection of musical instruments, and still just one of a few public libraries in the United States and Canada that do.

So come enjoy this special and creative community resource. Musicians of all ages will be at the library to demonstrate and assist anyone interested in trying out or learning more about an instrument. It’s never too late to learn. We hope to see (and hear) you there!