Got a band? The Ferndale Public Library wants to Add Your CD to their Local Music Collection

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Ferndale 115 News, Feb. 1, 2012 ed)

The Ferndale Public Library is looking to expand its unique local music collection. The Library is putting out a call for donations of CDs by local musicians of any genre. “We’ve got about 200 titles in our Local Music Collection,” says Kelly Bennett who began collecting local CDs for the library several years ago. “There’s still so much out there that we don’t have. I’d like to add as many as we can.” The CDs would be added to The Library Network shared database and labeled with a special Local Artist sticker for easy browsing.

Those who wish to donate CDs may bring them to the library or send donations to Ferndale Public Library, ATTN: Kelly Bennett, 222 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220. Donations to the library are tax-deductible, and receipts are provided at the request of the donor. Interested artists may email Kelly Bennett at k.d.bennett79@gmail.com or call 248-547-6008.

Bennett started cultivating the Library’s local music collection in 2009 by adding CDs from bands that she had gone to see.  “I try to get CDs from everybody,” she said.  “And why keep them to myself? I think Ferndale is a mecca for musicians. There are a lot that live here.  Supporting them and spreading the word is important to me.

The first CD she added was a timeless favorite – The Hard Lesson’s Gasoline.  “I had collected a few and talked to Doug Raber [the former Library Director] about it.  He suggested we wait until we had 10-12 to put out with a Local Music sticker on them.  I’m glad that the Library is open to new things.  If we get an idea they give it a shot.  Now we have over 200, and growing music programs.”

The Library also hosts a monthly concert series, First Stop Friday, which showcases local musicians. In the summer there is a Summer Concert Series.  “We had DSO [Detroit Symphony Orchestra] Musicians, and a 16 piece jazz ensemble which packed the room,” she said.

This month’s performance by The High Strung will also be part of the Ferndale Blues and Music Festival, taking place through Feb. 6.  On top of the events, Bennett runs a blog that is tied into the collection, called the 780.00’s, which is the Dewey Decimal identification for music.

The band that got Bennett started with her love for local music was called the Great Lakes Myth Society, who she saw at Zombie Dance Party in Ypsilanti in 2009.  “I heard a lot of great music that night, and it amazed me how good they were.  I saw them again and then I picked up on other local music that I liked.  I thought, hey, I like these songs a lot better than any national band.  So I found a way to make it fit with library stuff.”

Check out the Local Music, and other Library features, by going to their website at http://www.ferndale.lib.mi.us/.