Fallbrook Library- North County Mountain Dulcimer Group

The Fallbrook library brings together staff, patrons and community In unique ways. The Fallbrook library is an important center for community building relationships through education and the arts. For the North County Mountain Dulcimer group, people come from all over San Diego county to be a part of a specialized and little known music group that focuses on an instrument called the “Appalachian” or “Mountain” dulcimer. This is important because mountain dulcimer is considered to be the only acoustic string instrument developed in the United States. It is believed to be developed in Appalachia around the 1700’s by Immigrants who settled there, and became an important source of music and comfort for the settlers. Today, the instrument is still obscure, but due to the soulful sound and ease of learning to play, the instrument and piece of American history is becoming more recognizable. So many thanks to the library for recognizing the historical importance but even more for providing a space for people to come to teach and learn more about this beautiful instrument. I go to the library for books and research and to spend time with my grandchildren to share my love of books and art and special programming, but for myself I have found friendship and purpose through music. We have a space to gather to learn and teach others and share our love of mountain dulcimer.The Fallbrook library staff encourage our growth and outreach by hosting a place to meet and also learning how to perform and more broadly share what we have learned. This group was initially formed years ago by an incredible teacher who is still a central leader of the group today. She has taught and contributed to the development and teaching of so many who help keep the instrument alive. Within and through the library efforts our group regularly finds like-minded people, resulting in friendships and purpose through education, history and music.People from all over come to the group for different reasons, but all have found music as a means to connection and purpose and sharing. For all of this and more, thank you Fallbrook Library!