In an age where the printed word, movies and music are increasingly consumed digitally libraries have found themselves having to adapt every bit as rapidly as newspapers, movie studios and the music industry.

One of the most exciting and fun ways the Ann Arbor District Library has responded to our increasingly digital world is to reach out to the old fashioned tangible object.

Starting on August 1st the Ann Arbor District Library has made a musical instrument collection available for check out. Many of these instruments were brought to the Neutral Zone's annual Freshwater Musicon for attendees to give a try. Above Alvin Hill (right) is checking out a Thingamagoop 2 while Zane Pelletier checks out a Hapi Drum.

Most of the instruments available are electronic and range from a theremin (!) to a Bliptronic 5000 to the ever popular Stylophone (as used by David Bowie, Kraftwerk and Jack White). All of them are a blast to play.

 

Check out the video below from the Music Tools Launch Party.