Announcing UkeLit

UkeLit Package for ROCKABILLY GOATS GRUFF

The Ukulele Lending Library (Got Uke?)  has become UkeLit!

MISSION
To introduce music literacy to school and library settings by providing a ukulele, the user-friendly, starter instrument, for circulation and to represent the benefits of creating music through the inclusion of a children’s book featuring musical characters and plotlines within the ukulele case.

See the creation of the UkeLit: Rockabilly Goats Gruff!

BACKGROUND
Piloted at the Portland Public Library in Maine in Spring ’13, the four ukulele’s have maintained a 96% circulation rate.  The only barrier to an increased circulation rate is the hold time passed between the constant stream of holds.  The idea was conceived by library staffer and music promoter Michael Whittaker, the program was designed by kidlit engagement company Curious City and first implemented by teen librarian Justin Hoenke.  UkeLit is run by children’s lit consultant Kirsten Cappy and guitar-maker Mark Mattos, both of Curious City.

UkeLit Package for ROCKABILLY GOATS GRUFF

UKULELE & COMPONENTS
The provided ukulele is a Diamond Head DU-105 Soprano Ukulele.  Available in 11 colors, the uke color will be selected to best match the included children’s book.  Accompanying the uke will be a tuner, a set of ukulele strings, and an instructional CD & DVD pack (item specics available upon request).  All of the above with be packed in durable concert ukulele case with UkeLit logo (TBA) screen printed on the outside pocket.

UkeLit Package for ROCKABILLY GOATS GRUFF

KIDLIT & BRANDING
A children’s book from picture book to young adult will be selected with the library staff to be included in the ukulele case.  The chosen book depends on author/illustration cooperation and publisher permission (all handled by UkeLit), alas, not all of a library’s choices will be available.  That unprocessed book will accompany your UkeLit package.  The title of the book in the font that it appears on the book will be affixed to the front of the uke and the creator’s signature will be affixed to the side of the uke, both by a clear, durable decal.  If the chosen book is an illustrated book, UkeLit can have the back of the ukulele illustrated by the creator for an extra $200 fee.

PARTICIPATION
Participating libraries are asked to periodically share antedotes, circulation numbers, programming notes, and photographs for UkeLit to share with other libararies on their website UkeLit.org (TBA).  Libraries will have to provide their own cataloging and processing (we recommend a lugguage tag with your barcode) and maintain their own ukulele tuning and strings.  Replacement ukes with the kidlit branding are available to order.

PACKAGES
Full UkeLit Package: The full package includes the Ukulele & Componets and KidLit & Branding as described above plus the UkeLit Licencse which includes use of the UkeLit name and logo, a reproducible advertising poster, sample press release, listing as a participating library on UkeLit.org and a spec sheet of all ukulele components if replacement needs arise. $525

UkeLit License: If you would like to assemble your own ukulele package for circulation, UkeLit can offer use of the UkeLit name and logo, a reproducible advertising poster, sample press release, listing as a participating library on UkeLit.org and a spec sheet of all recommended ukulele components $100