Musical Instrument Lending Library

Carver Memorial Library is happy to offer a Musical Instrument Lending Library for anyone wanting to learn or try out a new instrument. Each instrument comes with a case and a tuner. To get started, search the catalog or contact the library for availability. The Musical Instrument Lending Library is presented in partnership with The Maker's Guild of Maine, and many of the instruments were donated by the Old Time Music Players of Maine.

Who can sign out an instrument?
Any adult patron with a current Carver borrower account in good standing can check out an instrument. Items are checked out for four weeks. A replacement fee may apply to lost or damaged items. Only one instrument may be borrowed at a time.

Can I donate an Instrument to the library?
Absolutely, if you have instruments or instrument accessories in good condition you'd like to donate, please tell us more by emailing maine.old.time.music@gmail.com. Instruments will be accepted in accordance with the library’s Gifts and Donations Policy.

Here are some types of instruments we accept: acoustic guitars, acoustic bass, banjos, ukuleles, violins, maracas, tambourines, steel drums, drum pads and drum pad sets, keyboards, concertinas, and similar instruments. We only accept portable instruments, and cannot accept wind instruments.

Our Instruments

Applause acoustic guitar, model AE14, made by Kaman Music. (Off-site storage)

[on repair] Suzuki violin, No. 220, 1982, size 4/4.

Gretsch ukulele, model G9100.

Blond wood ukulele.

Acme Acmette Piano Accordion

Rogue mandolin, model RM-100A, with strap,

Yamaha APX500 BL performance electric acoustic guitar (Off-site storage)

[Missing--not returned] Ovation acoustic guitar, 1989, made by Kaman Music.

1/4 size Samuel Eastman model EB100 by Eastman Strings. Donated in memory of Sarah Smith, who was a talented musician, singer, and strong supporter of the Kinhaven Music School. (Off-site storage)

Airline Autoharp by Oscar Schmidt
Donated by Lisa and Al Kettell

Boomwhackers Tuned Percussion Tubes Diatonic Set consists of 8 notes: C' to C".
Play by (gently!) striking almost anything: a table, the floor, your thigh or hand, a shoe. Different surfaces can produce different qualities of sound (but always the same pitch). Age: 3 years and older.