The Collingwood Public Library is now loaning ukuleles in an effort to promote musical literacy.

The library has three of the Hawaiian instruments available for loan. The ukuleles will be available for three weeks - the same as DVD's and videos - and will include a songbook and an instructional booklet.

Counc. Ian Chadwick, who sits on the library board, has been playing the ukulele for about a year. He said he played guitar for 40 years and then took up the ukulele.

"It's small, light, easy to play and not intimidating," he said. "I fell in love with it. It's just so much fun."

Chadwick said for someone who wants to play guitar or another instrument, this is a good start.

"You can actually turn out to be a mediocre guitar player - like I am, but a pretty good ukulele player."

According library board chair Donna Mansfield, the program is designed to get more people interested in music.

"We believe that this new program will assist in fostering musical literacy," she said. "Our information tells us that there is a continuing and growing interest in this instrument and we are delighted to add the program to our ongoing series of music activities.

The library also has regular music performances as part of the Music at Your Library series.

Chadwick said music literacy is very important.

"If you have some kind of musical experience, you get more of an appreciation for culture," he said.

The ukulele resembles a guitar and was brought to Hawaii by the Portuguese. There are three different kinds of ukulele - the library has three.

There are a host of famous ukulele players, including Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jim Hendrix and Kurt Cobain.

For more information visit www.collingwoodpubliclibrary.ca