Resources

Videos

The following videos contain detailed information on caring for different types of instruments.

Online Resources

Recommended Apps

Basichords (iTunes)
- Chord positions for guitar, ukulele, mandolin and banjo.
Guitar Tuna (Google Play)
- Free tuner for guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin and ukelele.
Guitar Tuna (iTunes)
- Free tuner for guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin and ukelele.
Music Memos (iTunes)
- Capture and organize new musical ideas, by recording any musical instrument as high-quality, uncompressed audio and building a library of new song parts and riffs.
OnlinePianist (iTunes)
- An intuitive online piano app that allows you to learn popular songs through a virtual piano interface which can also be paired with a physical piano (keyboard).
Perfect Piano (Google Play)
- Perfect Piano is an intelligent piano simulator.
Pro Metronome (Google Play)
- A powerful tool that helps you master both daily practice and stage performance, with customized time-keeping styles and beat sounds.
Pro Metronome (iTunes)
- A powerful tool that helps you master both daily practice and stage performance, with customized time-keeping styles and beat sounds.
Simply Piano (iTunes)
- Simply Piano is a fast and fun way to learn piano, from beginner to pro.
Tuner - gStrings Free (Google Play)
- A chromatic tuner application measuring sound pitch and intensity.
Tuner Lite (iTunes)
- A chromatic instrument tuner and pitch pipe that allows you to quickly and accurately tune your instrument.
Yousician (Google Play)
- App to learn songs for piano, guitar or ukulele.
Yousician (iTunes)
- App to learn songs for piano, guitar or ukulele.

Books

We have an assortment of books to help you learn how to play your favorite instrument.

Search our catalogue.

Instruments in Our Collection

Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What instruments are in the collection?

Currently, there are a variety of stringed instruments such as acoustic guitars (nylon-stringed & steel-stringed in various sizes), acoustic bass guitars, violins (various sizes), ukuleles, mandolins, and banjos in the collection, as well as a selection of hand drums such as bongos, cajons, doumbeks and djembes.

What do I need to borrow an instrument?

You need an NLPL library card in good standing (i.e. outstanding fines/charges less than $10).

Note that instruments are not available for loan to Access cardholders, Subscription cardholders, or Visitor cardholders.

Do I have to pay to borrow an instrument?

Borrowing an instrument is free. Like other library materials, there are daily fines for late returns and charges for lost or damaged instruments, containers and accessories.

How many instruments can I borrow?

You can borrow one instrument at a time.

How long is the loan period? Can I renew the instrument?

The loan period is 28 days (4 weeks). If no one has requested that instrument, you may renew for an additional 28 days. There is a limit of 1 renewal.

Where do I go to get an instrument?

Instruments are kept at the A.C. Hunter Library. If you know which instrument you want to borrow and the library catalogue says it is IN, go to the circulation desk at the A.C. Hunter Library. If you need help to search the catalogue or determine what to ask for, talk to our staff.

Where do I return the instrument?

Instruments must be returned to the circulation desk at the A.C.Hunter Library during open hours.

Where can I get help learning how to play an instrument?

There are books, DVDs, etc. in the library collection that can help you learn to play the instrument. Ask library staff or have a look at our resources page.

Can I place a hold on an instrument that is currently on loan?

Yes, but there is a limit of only one instrument hold per card at any given time. When you are notified that the instrument is ready for pick up, you will need to come to the A.C. Hunter Library.

What happens if I damage or lose the instrument I borrowed?

As with other library materials borrowed, you are responsible for musical instruments borrowed on your card and for any charges on items that are overdue, lost or damaged.

Where can I donate my instrument?

The A.C. Hunter Library can use stringed instruments, keyboards, and light percussion. You can bring them to the A.C. Hunter Library during open hours or to Long & McQuade on Kenmount Road.

Will all donated instruments be added to the Sun Life Musical Instrument Lending Library at the A.C. Hunter Library?

Similar to other donations to the A.C. Hunter Library, the library reserves the right to decide on the disposition of all gifts received. All gifts become the property of the A.C. Hunter Library.

Instrument Collection

Learn more about the instruments in our collection

Search Catalogue

Search our catalogue for all musical instruments in our lending library

Resources

Check out resources to help you learn to play a new instrument

Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library

Make Some Music!

Explore your musical interests with free access to a variety of instruments - all you need is your NLPL Public Library card!

The Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library at the A.C. Hunter Public Library is a collection of instruments that you may borrow using your NLPL Public Library card. Ask staff for assistance retrieving the instrument you want to borrow. The instruments can be found by searching the library catalogue.

Borrowing Guidelines

Musical instruments may only be borrowed from the A.C. Hunter Public Library. Instruments must be returned to the A.C. Hunter Public Library during opening hours.
The borrowing period is 4 weeks. An instrument may be renewed once as long as there are no holds.
Holds may be placed on instruments. Once notified of a hold, patrons have 3 days to pick it up.
One instrument may be checked out at a time.
NLPL library cardholders are responsible for maintaining and returning instruments in good condition. If it is not returned, or is damaged, a replacement or repair cost may be applied to your account.

To learn more, read the FAQ.

What Instruments are Available to Borrow?

Visit the Instruments page to view our collection.

Caring for Musical Instruments

Learn how to take care of the instruments you borrow. View these videos to find out how.

General Instrument Care

Make sure hands are clean before playing any instrument.
When not in use, store the instrument in its case, away from direct sources of heat.
If the instrument is cold, let it come to room temperature before playing.
Please return the instrument to the library immediately if it is damaged.

Donate a New or Gently Used Instrument

Your donation will help make music more accessible through the Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library at the A.C. Hunter Public Library.

- Accordions, Banjos, Digital Pianos & Keyboards, Guitars, Mandolins, Percussion, Ukuleles, Violins

About our Partner

Sun Life Financial has a long history of supporting arts and culture in Canada, and believes arts and culture should be celebrated within our communities and made available to everyone, regardless of their means.

The Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library at the A.C. Hunter Public Library is made possible with generous support from Sun Life Financial. We are pleased to partner with Sun Life Financial to offer free access to musical instruments to NLPL cardholders.

The A.C. Hunter Public Library is grateful for Sun Life Financial's contribution to arts and culture in our community.