Musical Instruments
The Musical Instrument Lending Library at VPL is a collection of instruments that you may borrow using your Vancouver Public Library card. The collection is located at the Central Library. Ask staff for assistance retrieving the instrument you want to borrow. The instruments can be found by searching the library catalogue.
Instructions and training material can be found in our Musical Instrument guide.
For answers to other instrument lending questions, please see our FAQ page.
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Acoustic (Classical) Guitar, Nylon-string
Learn how to play the acoustic (classical) guitar using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
Lengths range from 83–106 cm.Acoustic Bass Guitar
Learn how to play the bass guitar using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The length is approximately 127 cm.Use of pickup requires a 9 volt battery; battery not included.
Acoustic Guitar, Steel-string
Learn how to play the acoustic guitar using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
Lengths range from 83–106 cm.Banjo
Learn how to play the banjo using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The length is approximately 97 cm.Bongo
Learn how to play the bongo using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The total width is approximately 47 cm.Cajon
Learn how to play the cajon using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The height is approximately 48 cm.Djembe
Learn how to play the djembe using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The height is approximately 61 cm and weight is 7.4 kg.Doumbek
Learn how to play the doumbek using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The height is approximately 43 cm.Electric Bass Guitars with Amplifier
Learn how to play the electric bass guitar using these resources selected by VPL staff.
Dimensions
The lengths range from 107 - 117 cm.Electric Guitar and Amplifier
Learn how to play the electric guitar using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The length is approximately 101 cm; the amplifier weighs approximately 4 kg.Frame Drum
Learn how to play the frame drum using these resources selected by VPL staff.
Dimensions
The width is approximately 35.5 cm (14 inches).Glockenspiel
Learn how to play the glockenspiel using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The length is approximately 53.5 cm.Kalimba
Learn how to play the kalimba using these resources selected by VPL staff.
Dimensions
The length is approximately 12.5 cm (5 inches).Keyboard and Digital Piano
Learn how to play the keyboard or digital piano using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
Keyboard: width 94cm (37in.), weight 8.3kg (18.2lbs)
Digital piano: width 132cm (52in.), weight 13.6kg (30lbs)Mandolin
Learn how to play the mandolin using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The length is approximately 69 cm.Steel Tongue Drum
Learn how to play the steel tongue drum using these resources selected by VPL staff.
Dimensions
The diameter is approximately 31 cm (12.5 inches).Synthesizers
Learn how to play the synthesizers using these resources selected by VPL staff.
Dimensions
The length is approximately 53 cm.Tambourine
Learn how to play the tambourine using these resources selected by VPL staff.
Dimensions
The diameter is approximately 28 cm (11 inches).Ukulele
Learn how to play the ukulele using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The lengths range from 54–66 cm.Violin
Learn how to play the violin using these resources selected by VPL staff.
See how to care for it by watching this video.
Dimensions
The lengths range from 48–59 cm.
