Comment by Mayor Casey Tanaka on March 7, 2012 at 10:26pm

The Coronado Library is governed by its own Board known as the Library Board of Trustees. The valid point that you raise might be one to bring to them. One of two things is likely to occur. Either, there is an equally valid reason for the current policy, or they might want to consider making the change that you are suggesting.

Comment by Marie on March 7, 2012 at 10:27pm

This reminds me of the family with a living room full of meticulously cleaned white couches that no one is allowed to sit on or use. I'm sorry to hear that the children don't have a local public forum to demonstrate their newly acquired skills and where their proud parents could invite all their neighbors to show off the budding prodigies. Especially since our local library is already such a great resource for our youth. A magnificent piano such as a Steinway, is made to be played and heard! I had a guitar as a child that i eventually lost interest in and didn't play very often. The wood began to warp and when I had it repaired I will always remember the shop telling me that I needed to play it regularly or it would warp again. When I left my car in the garage while out of the country for a year, according to a mechanic, that was the worst decision and lead to a big repair bill because it wasn't regularly driven. I am not an expert and don't know how a professional piano can be damaged by being played but I don't think anyone would want the piano left exposed or unsupervised under any circumstances or damaged by an irresponsible individual. However, perhaps a compromise could be reached with a once or twice a year public recital of qualified and monitored "non-professionals." Our fabulous local library has a beautiful piano. Our local talented students would love to play it on occasion. Is a compromise possible?

Comment by Kelley Kraft Casey on March 8, 2012 at 9:38am

I guess one question to ask is how they define "professional."   

Comment by Stephanie Irey on March 8, 2012 at 12:04pm

I, too, wonder about the policy of only allowing the piano to be played by "professionals."  Perhaps if we pay each student $1, they can be considered professionals also.  I would love for the Library Board of Trustees to reconsider this policy so that the children of Coronado would have a public venue to demonstrate their piano skills.

Staff Comment by Kellee Hearther on March 8, 2012 at 12:37pm

We were very lucky when we were in Texas.  Our piano teacher had a great relationship with the local piano showroom owners.  Our daughter, who started playing when she was five, did recitals twice a year on VERY EXPENSIVE pianos.  I couldn't believe they were letting the kids play on them the first time we attended.  The recitals were always quite enjoyable and the sound superb. There was little worry about the piano being mistreated because the students were there for a reason--to play their music.  In a controlled environment where the purpose is clear (use the piano to demonstrate what they have been practicing and learning) it seems the piano in our public library would be getting better use being played, instead of sitting idly by collecting dust.  Perhaps, with the information the mayor provided, you, Ms. Petryshyn, can encourage the Library Board of Trustees to change their policy.  Good Luck!

Comment by Kathleen Petryshyn on March 9, 2012 at 1:24pm

I have taken the Mayor's advice and the issue of the piano use is on the agenda of the Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting at the Coronado Public Library.  The meeting is scheduled for 3PM next Tuesday, March 13, 2012.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  Thank you for comments.

Kathleen Petryshyn

Certified Simply Music Teacher

619-435-4351

www.kpetryshyn@san.rr.com

Comment by Mayor Casey Tanaka on March 9, 2012 at 6:30pm

Best of luck Kathleen :-)

Comment by Joan Sadorf on March 21, 2012 at 7:24pm

This is not an issue of the children vs the piano as Ms. Petryshyn has tried to imply.  It is an issue of legality.  A non profit 501c(3) organization like the Friends of the Library is not allowed by California law or the Internal Revenue Code to purchase an item to be used in a profit making business. Piano teachers charge for their services, therefore they are making a profit.  The recital itself may be free but it is an extension of their paid services.  Thus the point is simple, Friends of the Library can lose their status!  Over 40 years they have served this community including the children.  We sponsor the float in the parade each 4th of July, we sponsor their summer reading programs, and we purchase books upon books for them.  We do so within the confines of the law. It is a shame that good name is being dragged through the mud right now.  

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