By: Nicole Villeneuve"I probably don't even need this microphone, to be honest!" Frontman Odario Williams and the rest of his genre-bending hip-hop group Grand Analog launched the Toronto Public Library's current Make Some Noise series straight from the kids' section of the College/Shaw branch last night, and the alternative venue proved a somehow very fitting setting for an affair that's typically relegated to dark clubs at late hours that no adorable two-year-old would ever be able to attend.
Ranked somewhere after malls, the internet, multi-theatre complexes in the suburbs on weekends, and basically anywhere else, libraries haven't exactly made a name for themselves as a top choice for teenagers to hang out and be really cool together. Make Some Noise launched four years ago as both an effort to document and preserve the country's recent historical musical output by stacking the TPL's music library with the cream of the indie crop, and to engage teens in library and music culture by providing them with more all-ages show options, and broadening their musical scope. The TPL's youth collections librarian Lisa Heggum masterminded the project, and so far, the response from borrowers and artists has been encouraging. "[It's been received] very well. People are placing holds and borrowing the CDs, and the city's music community really seems to love the project. Artists we approach are almost always enthusiastic, and we're often approached by members of the industry who'd like to participate."
One of those eager participants is Soundscapes, the community-friendly record store turned coolness consultants. "Soundscapes has been involved since the very beginning," Heggum says. "Working with them helps make this project the success that it is. Not only do they offer their expertise, professionalism, and organizational skills in helping us build our music collection, but they also offer advice and assistance with the events side of things." Heggum strongly believes in this mutual support, both in the community, and in the stacks. "I don't see why we should favour one format over the other. Our music collection demonstrates the library’s commitment to the local music scene in much the same way our collection of local and Canadian fiction demonstrates our commitment to the local literary scene."
Make Some Noise has branched further into the music scene this year; along with the usual library shows with high-profile artists, there will be information sessions with, among others, Steve Jordan, the founder and executive director of the Canadian indie music mecca, Polaris Prize. "Giving young people a chance to interact with local musicians and industry professionals and explore various topics [gives them] an overall excitement about the possibilities. Another area I'd like to see us become more involved in is local filmmaking. We attempt to keep in touch with those in the know and respond accordingly, and we plan to continue to listen to the community and try new things."
For Heggum, daily validation for her efforts so far can be found right at home. "My two-year-old son is wild about the Sadies' record with John Doe. He requests it repeatedly. It's amazing that I'm not sick of it yet."
Make Some Noise runs until December 1. The next show features the totally library-appropriate Bruce Peninsula and Timber Timbre on Saturday November 7 (that's tomorrow!) at 8 p.m. at the North York Central Library branch (5120 Yonge Street; it's not that scary, it's right at the North York Centre subway!). The full schedule of shows and workshops can be found on the Make Some Noise site. All shows are free and open to all ages. Two-year-olds are encouraged to attend.
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