In a time where people are very critical of technology such as AI (for plenty of great reasons), this initiative wants to (among other things) to celebrate existing technology which is accessible and easily available, allowing people to easily create art which would have been unthinkable not long ago. Too often we take these things for granted, let's use this opportunity to slow down and reflect on what is available for the cost of a dinner.
The idea is simple: build a space (community) where people can meet to play and learn about electronic music instruments, exchange knowledge with other people and borrow devices. Synthesizer libraries exist in a few other cities in the world but not in Berlin, one of the capitals of electronic music. Important and beautiful realities such as Schneidersladen, Superbooth and the Synthesizer Museum already exists in Berlin, our initiative wants to complement them by focusing on affordable, non-vintage instruments and gear. The kind of stuff you would have tried out at Just Music before it closed in 202x (let's not talk now about how a big city like Berlin has very few music instruments shops left...).
Timeline
During the first phase of our initiative we want to start connecting with people by organising workshops and meetups at various locations. The goal is to understand how much interest there's on this and to steer the direction of the projects based on the feedback we receive. We also want to start building a network and scout for a location where the library could be hosted in the long term. During this phase borrowing devices to take home won't be possible. If you are in need of borrowing an electronic music instrument or gear we recommend checking visiting the ZTB library: they have an excellent selection of instruments (alas they are often not available so we recommending reserving them). Other libraries in Berlin offer other type of music instruments.
Inclusivity
While we intend for the Library to be a place for everyone, special attention will be given to members of underrepresnted groups in electronic music, such as women, LGBTA people, people of colour, people with disabilties. In practice this means giving priority access to items, reduced prices and event exclusively for specific groups.
Also: no sexism, no racism, no antisemitism, no ableism, no fascists, no nazis.