Greer Music Library

The Collection

The music library serves the research, information and performance needs of the Department of Music and the entire college community. The library collection includes books about music and musicians, periodicals, reference sources and indexes (print and electronic), collected works of major composers, study and performance scores of music, sound and video/laser recordings of musical performances, and computer-based support for the teaching and research needs of users. Special collections of sound recordings such as the Hilliar Collection (opera) and the Shelley Jazz Collection complement the main holdings of the library.  A special collection of 19th and 20th century sheet music of (primarily) popular songs is also available for research use.

Circulation Policies:
Most library materials can be borrowed by Connecticut College faculty, students, and staff.  Non-college patrons with a vaild library card receive the same borrowing privileges as students. Application for a card must be made with the Circulation Department at the Charles E. Shain Library (call 439-2662 for information).  Visitors are always welcome to use the library collection in-house, including recordings and other media.

The basic loan schedule:
Books/scores/CD-ROMs/microforms (non-reference):
- 28 days (academic year for faculty/honors/grad)

Restricted scores:
- In-house (14 days for faculty/honors/grad)

Compact discs:
- 7 days (14 days for faculty/honors/grad)

Vinyl LPs:
- In-house use only (14 days for for faculty/honors/grad)

Audio cassettes:
- 28 days

Videocassettes/Laserdiscs/DVDs:
- 3 days (8 days for faculty/honors/grad/staff)

CD-ROMs (non-reference):
- 28 days (academic year for faculty/honors/grad)

Reference books, reserve materials, periodicals, special collection materials
- In-house use only; special arrangements for faculty for certain items

Information and Reference:
The music librarian and music library assistant are available during regular business hours to help users find information, learn how to search on-line, and locate materials.  On evenings and weekends trained student assistants can assist visitors with basic searches.  Patrons are invited to inform the staff of their questions, requests, or concerns. Students needing help with research projects may schedule an appointment with the music librarian for a Personal Research Session (x2710).

Course Reserve:
Required reading, listening, and viewing assignments for music courses are kept at the circulation desk in Greer, and materials must be used in the library.  The reserve list for each course is posted on-line, and is reached by clicking on the "Course Reserves" option found on the Information Services library web page.

Audio/Video/Computer Facilities:
The music library provides facilities for the playback of sound recordings, videocassettes, DVDs, and laserdiscs. Making copies of library recordings is not allowed; however, there is one cassette-to-cassette and reel-to-cassette set-up for non-commercial tapes.
The Greer Music Library provides two public computer workstations for general patron use, including visitors. Both provide access to the on-line catalog and reserve desk list,  several reference databases, the internet, and to e-mail.  Additional computers requiring a valid user name and password are available for use by CC faculty, students, and staff. Music composition software (Finale, Sibelius) is installed on four machines. Eligible Connecticut College patrons with laptops may also connect to the College network via wireless access and dataports. Headphones for use with computers may be borrowed from the circulation desk.
The library owns an electronic keyboard which may be used by patrons. In addition, the Department of Music's piano lab is located in Greer, and music students are eligible to use the pianos. Headphones for both must be signed out from the circulation desk.

The CTW Consortium:
Connecticut College is a member of the CTW Library Consortium with Wesleyan University and Trinity College. The three institutions share an on-line catalog and provide reciprocal borrowing privileges for faculty, staff and currently enrolled students. Books, scores, videos, and sound recordings not available in Greer can often be obtained from Trinity or Wesleyan using the on-line REQUEST function.  If you need assistance, or would like further information about this service, ask at the circulation desk.
For books and scores not available within the CTW system, users can place a request through the Interlibrary Loan service, Illiad. This service must be used for all periodical article requests.  Forms are available on-line, via the Information Services library web page.  For further information, call the ILL office (located in Shain) at x2667.

Study Space:
The music library provides ample study space for patrons, with study tables, easy chairs, and ottomans located in the main reading room. Listening carrels with spacious desktop work areas and individual lights may also be used as study spaces, and these offer a quiet, private nook for study and research.

Photocopying:
The library houses a photocopier; copies are 10 cents a page. Please be mindful of copyright restrictions when photocopying library materials.

Recording:
The taping of library recordings is not allowed. The "RECORD" function on cassette players has been permanently disabled. Users are not allowed to bring personal equipment into the library for the purpose of making recordings.

Copyright: For further information on music-related copyright interpretations, consult the Music Library Association copyright guide by clicking here.