A library can be a secluded getaway for curious minds in search of knowledge, or it can be a place to find peace and quiet. But sometimes, it's a house for rock 'n' roll.

In an attempt to attract a younger demographic, Ferndale Public Library project coordinator Kelly Bennett created a music section of CDs by Michigan artists, available for checkout.

On top of that, Bennett also hosts a showcase of local bands, called First Stop Fridays, on the first Friday of each month. Bands play in a section just off the library's front room. 

CDs are gathered through donations, purchased by Bennett or, to her surprise, eagerly given to the library by the local bands themselves.

In June 2008, The Hard Lessons became the first band to enter the library's catalog and is the most-checked CD, with at least three dozen checkouts to date. Recent submissions include national buzz band Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr., newly formed shoegaze outfit Fur and folk rockers Frontier Ruckus.

With 160 CDs in the collection, the total number of checkouts so far has topped 955. Bennett said most of those who are checking out the local music tend to be in their early 30s.

"Obviously there are some outliers," she said, "but that seems to be who's going for them."

Though the collection is mostly rock and pop, Bennett is on the lookout for any type of genre. The library is always accepting CDs, regardless of whether they are professionally produced.

"Even CDRs with marker work," said Bennett. "I just want people to hear the stuff."

Bennett said the First Stop Fridays shows usually attract a diverse crowd.

"The shows have more of a mixed bag with parents, kids, a handful of hipsters and older folks," she said. "It tends to depend on the bands playing."

First Stop Fridays give kids, students, families or whomever a chance to see live music without having to go to a bar. The shows are free and open to all ages. Local groups such as the Bell Beat and Spitting Nickels have been a part of the events.

Bennett is a staunch supporter of building local music collections at libraries. In November, she gave a presentation on local music collections at the Michigan Library Association Conference in Traverse City. She explained how to build a local music section, how to book bands to perform and shared information on how to promote the events.

"It's time to share the idea with other libraries," said Bennett.

Her goal is to make the library a stable resource for artists, she said, but also a spot that is "cool, and not just a place to do homework."

Beyond the CDs, Bennett has also been building a catalog of music literature. Through a $2,000 grant from the Metro Detroit Book and Authors Society, she has been stockpiling books about studio design, home recording, how-tos for various instruments, music business training, song licensing and other music-related subjects.

"The music instruction collection has gone out a total of 145 times since August 2010," Bennett said.  "The most checked-out item is Hearing and Writing Music: Professional Training for Today's Musician, which has gone out six times."

She sees this as an opportunity to create a community center for local musicians and to "build a web" of resources for them and others interested in music.

"Everyone has music in their town," Bennett said. "Why not reach out to these people?"

The next First Stop Friday is March 4 and will feature Sheefy McFly and the Deloreans and The Electric Lamp Rays.

Bands can drop CDs off at the Ferndale Library or mail them to: Kelly Bennett, 222 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, MI 48220.