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Jackson County Library’s new ukulele lending program is a hit with patrons. The waiting list for the 31 ukuleles donated by the Friends of the Medford Library in early September is long — so long that even Terra McLeod, manager of the Medford library, where the collection is based, can’t get her fingers on one. An instructive jam session for both novice and veteran strummers debuted earlier this month at the library, as well — and it was a standing-room-only affair. Why the ukulele? Like the library, the ukulele has broad appeal among young and old, says McLeod. And although it’s “a diversified little instrument, it’s one of the easiest to learn to play,” says Jane Levesque, a member of the Plaza Players ukulele band that leads Sunday afternoon Library Ukes (LUKEs) sessions. “It’s a happy instrument,” says Levesque, and its melodic tones, the sweetest. It’s hard to say the word “ukulele” without smiling, and harder still not to hum along when it’s being strummed. A ukulele lending program is not a new idea. The Ukulele Friends of Oregon (UFOs) has a similar program in the Salem Public Library system. The concept struck a chord with Laura Kimberly, Medford’s former branch manager when it was presented at the 2016 gathering of the Oregon Library Association. McLeod and Kimberly, who has since been promoted to assistant director of Jackson County Library Services, worked with their staff and the Friends of the Library to bring it here. When plans were presented to the Friends of the Library board, “we thought it was a fun idea, and said ‘sure, why not!’” said Linda Hope, who serves as treasurer. Now that it’s finally here, it’s “a dream come true,” says Holly Hertel, Medford’s reference librarian. “I really, really, really wanted it here,” she says. “I just didn’t know if it was feasible.” And like McLeod, she was quick to get her name on the list for a ukulele. “We are thrilled to tap into the musical creativity of our community,” says JCLS Director Kari May. “The 31 ukuleles we added to our ‘Library of Things’ have proven to be very popular.” Both May and McLeod commented that JCLS will be adding more “things” to the collection in the coming months as part of the library’s development plan. The goal is to “allow people to explore other avenues of creativity,” says May. In the meantime, aspiring uke players who have a library card can check out a ukulele kit, which includes a four-string soprano ukulele and a beginner’s instruction booklet, all in a “gig-bag,” for three weeks with two possible renewals. The kits reside at the Medford library but can circulate among JCLS’s 15 branches. Cardholders in good standing can place a hold request at their local branch. Because the instruments come in eight different colors — blue, pink, orange, red, yellow, green, black and white, patrons can even put a hold on the color they want, says McLeod. The entire kit is valued at about $70, says McLeod. Each library also has a collection of music books and tutorials to get budding musicians started. In addition, they’re invited to join the Plaza Players’ LUKEs from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. the second Sunday of each month. The next learn and play session is set for Oct. 14 at the downtown Medford library, 205 S. Central Ave. “Any beginning player can jam with us,” says Barbara Meredith. “(The session) is very inclusive, and no one is expected to be perfect.” Sheet music with uke chords is provided (words too if you want to sing along). About two dozen players showed up at the first session — the youngest 8 years old and the oldest “well over 64,” says Meredith. The players are as diversified as the music, says Levesque. The appeal, she says, comes from the fact that “you can play folk, classical, gospel, jazz or Hawaiian melodies” on a ukulele. And for the older generation, a ukulele session can be a sentimental journey, with popular pre-World War II tunes easy to strum. Thanks to Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s reggae-rhythmic medley of “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World,” and Jake Shimabukuro’s rendition of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” the ukulele has a new, young audience. Shimabukuro played before a sold-out crowd at Britt Festivals in 2017. Levesque learned to play on the Hawaiian island of Molokai about 15 years ago, and Meredith picked up the instrument eight years ago. Levesque is quick to point out that the ukulele — loosely translated as “jumping flea” because of a player’s fingering — did not originate in Hawaii. It was actually developed from a small guitar-like Portuguese instrument brought to the islands by Madeiran cabinet makers. Playing the small instrument can be therapeutic. The strumming is easy for those with arthritis, says Meredith. “Music is good for the brain too,” she adds. “Playing and singing music lights up the brain.” Meredith joked that one day, as the ukulele program grows, instead of “Tree City, USA,” Medford could become known as “Uke City, USA.” For more information about ukuleles and LUKEs, call the Medford library at 541-774-8689. Reach Grants Pass freelance writer Tammy Asnicar at [email protected].