Compiled by Mary Amato, please send more information to add to this resource list. I can be reached at info (at) maryamato (dot) com.
Essays and Articles
- Music and Libraries: A Natural Combination by Tess Goldwasser https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/09/music-and-libraries-a-natural-combination/
- Why I Play My Ukulele at Storytime by Katrina Lewin Ealy http://www.5minlib.com/2017/04/why-i-play-my-ukulele-at-storytime.html Five Minute Librarian is the brainchild of Jess Bacon, who was the teen librarian in Marlborough, MA (though she is currently a stay-at-home mom). Katrina (Kat) Lewin Ealy, a librarian in Massachusetts, and Jess Bacon publishes an article every Friday, with one Friday a month being the Ready-To-Go Book Display by another contributor, Allie.
- “Check It Out” by Heidi Swedberg: Feature article about ukes in libraries Summer 2019 issue Ukulele Magazine (available via subscription) http://www.ukulelemag.com/stories/check-it-out-ukes-are-circulating-in-libraries
- “What the Ukulele Taught Me About Reluctant Readers” by Karen Jensen http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2014/06/sunday-reflections-what-the-ukulele-taught-me-about-reluctant-readers/
- Bring the Power of Music into Your Library by Mary Amato http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2013/03/bring-the-power-of-music-into-your-library-a-guest-post-by-guitar-notes-author-mary-amato-for-music-in-our-schools-month-march/
Online Resources
Facebook Group: Librarians with Ukes is great place for advice, answers, and inspiration. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukelib/
Song Library – Ukulele Underground Ukulele Songs to download.
UkeBuddy Multi-purpose website for info on tuning and playing the ukulele.
Mary Amato Sing-Along Resources and Materials Ukulele songbooks, fiction with ukulele players, and more.
Uke Lending Library Programs
- AL: Jacksonville; http://libguides.jsu.edu/uke
- CA: Los Angeles Ukulele Kit Details. Kit includes instrument, case, chord book, and tuner. Return in person at the circulation desk. Check out period is three weeks. Check out …https://www.lapl.org/ukulele
- CA: Oakland oaklandlibrary.org/blogs/from-main-library/you-too-can-play-ukulele Posted by Catherine Jennings on Monday, November 3rd, 2014. Want to learn to play the ukulele? Do you already play and want to learn more tunes?
- CA: San Mateo https://smcl.org/blogs/post/pick-up-a-ukulele-at-your-local-library/ Jun 16, 2017 – San Mateo County Libraries are happy to announce that we are now offering 65 ukuleles for checkout throughout our 12 locations!…
- FL: Hillsborough County https://www.hcplc.org/books/ukulele Learn to play ukulele by checking out a ukulele kit generously donated by the Tampa Bay UkuleleSociety.
- MD: Anne Arundel https://www.aacpl.net/post/ukulele-loan-program May 1, 2018 – Just in time for what some sources call “National Play Your Ukulele Day” on May 2, we are excited to announce that Glen Burnie Regional …
- MD: Howard County New Collection of Ukulele Kits Previews HCLS’ Do It Yourself Education Curriculum. Howard County Library System introduced its first DIY education curriculum … http://hclibrary.org/classes-events/you-toucan-uke/
- ME: Portland https://www.curiouscity.net/got-uke/ Portland, Maine library card holders can now check out ukuleles and equally hip young adult books from the Teen Room of the Portland Public Library. Ukulele …
- NY: Liverpool https://lpl.org/events/monthly-clubs/ukulele/ The Ukulele Workshop for Beginners typically meets in the Sargent Meeting Room on Saturday afternoons during fall, winter and spring. Instructor Pat Doherty …
- NM: Albuquerque https://abqlibrary.org/Ukulele/FAQs Ukulele music is like a sunny day. Ukulele music will chase the blues away when it is gloomy and gray. Some people only have one ukulele. Some people might …
- OR: Jackson County https://jcls.org/ukulele Feb 11, 2019 – Checkout our Ukuleles, literally! Borrow a ukulele kit and teach yourself to play with our beginners guide and library of music books.
- OH: Athens www.athenslibrary.org/athens/services/make…at…library/how-to-check-out-a-ukulele Checking out a ukulele is a bit different from checking out a book. … be returned to the Help Desk in the Athens-Clarke County Library in person and may not be …
- OH: Mentor www.mentorpl.org/ukuleles/ May 20, 2018 – Borrow ukuleles (along with a music book and tuner) from Mentor Public … This year’s Summer Reading theme is Libraries Rock, so we’re …
- OR: Salem https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/life/2016/05/…/library…ukulele…/83889694/ May 4, 2016 – Six ukulele kits have been donated to the Salem Public Library by the Ukulele Fans of Oregon.
- PA: Allegheny https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/pennsylvania-libraries-will-let-you-check-out-ukulele-180957772/?no-ist
- TN:Nashville https://library.nashville.org/services/ukulelesCheck out a musical instrument along with your books and movies: we have a Ukulele Collection! Ukuleles are the perfect instrument for all learning levels.
- WA: King County https://kcls.org/blogs/post/learn-to-play-the-ukulele/ Mar 19, 2018 – At the library, you can attend a class or ukulele jam to learn basic ukulele skills. Be sure to check whether the program has loaner ukes …
Illustrations for this blogpost by Jenny Hersh.