Collections
Books
The Music Library contains over 32,000 books dealing with all aspects of music, including music history, music theory, music education, biographies of musicians and composers, and so forth. All books in the Music Library are classified according to the Library of Congress classification system.
- ML - books on literature of music (i.e., biography, history, etc.)
- MT - books dealing with musical instruction, analysis, or theory
The David Walker Collection is a special collection of books devoted to music education. The collection is located at the end of the M and MT sections.
Click here to see where books can be found in the Music Library.
Scores
Over 38,000 scores are housed in the Music Library. These include vocal and orchestral scores, chamber music, music for solo instruments, and popular and folk music. The score collection is being converted from a modified Columbia-Dickinson classification system to the Library of Congress classification system.
Scores have the same loan periods as books.
Click here to see where scores can be found in the Music Library.
Circulating Recordings
The Music Library houses a collection of over 5,000 circulating CDs that patrons can check out for one week. These are listed in CUNY+ and are denoted by Circ CD in front of the call number (e.g., Circ CD 124). To check out circulating CDs, list the call numbers of the recordings you want and take your list and valid ID to the circulation desk.
Non-Circulating Recordings and Videos
The Music Library has a collection of 10,000 LPs, over 9,000 CDs, 40 DVDs, and 140 VHS videos for library use only. These non-circulating recordings can be located in CUNY+ (CD 22 and Schwarz CD 311). To listen to or view a non-circulating recording and headphones, list the call numbers of the recordings you want and take your list and validated ID to the circulation desk. Non-circulating recordings only circulate for three hours.
Periodicals
The Music Library current subscribes to almost 150 journal titles either in print or electronically. All periodicals, including their call numbers and physical location, can be found in CUNY+. Most of the bound and current issues are shelved alphabetically by title in the periodical alcove on the upper floor of the Music Library. Some journals are shelved in the ML and MT sections of the library. Some back issues of periodicals are on microfiche or microfilm (indicated by an MF or MC in front of the call number). Please ask for microfiche or microfilm materials at the circulation desk. All periodicals, regardless of format, do not circulate.
Click here to see where periodicals can be found in the Music Library.
iPods
iPods containing the Aaron Copland School of Music listening lists for music majors can be checked out for one week and may be renewed. (iPods can only be checked out by music majors.)
Reserve
Books, scores, audio and visual recordings, and other materials may be placed on reserve for specific courses. All Music Library reserve materials are kept behind the circulation desk and circulate for two hours at a time. Please see the circulation desk for assistance.
Reference
The Music Library reference section is housed on the upper floor of the library and contains both books and scores, including complete works of composers, monuments of music, historical editions as well as dictionaries, encyclopedias, bibliographies, discographies, etc. All reference materials are denoted by an R or Ref prior to the call number. These materials do not circulate.
Click here to see where reference materials can be found in the Music Library.
Microforms
The Music Library hold almost 1,300 reels of microfilm and 6,000 microcards. These include back issues of periodicals, doctoral dissertations, musicological and theoretical treatises, and other miscellaneous items. All microform materials are denoted by an MF or MC in front of the call number. These are located in special files near the circulation desk. Please ask for microfiche or microfilm materials at the circulation desk.