A Few Basic Survival Skills for Finding Music Web Sites, Acquiring CDs and Scores,

and Coping with the Complexities of Music Materials

Presented byDarwin F. Scott

Creative Arts Librarian, Brandeis Universityfor the Connecticut Library Association (CLA)

April 13, 2005

Sponsored by the New England Music Library Association (NEMLA)

Quickly Locating the Best Music Metasites

• Locate streamlined, succinct Web-based finding aids designed by experienced music librarians.

• Example: QuickStart Guides from the Brandeis University Libraries.

• Cover many subjects, including music.

• Emphasize a few — but generally the best — electronic resources and Web sites.

• Metadata sites listed are open to all.

Brandeis University Libraries QuickStart Guide: Music — Homepage

Brandeis University Libraries QuickStart Guide: Music — Music on the Web

Duke University LibrariesDW3 Classical Music Guide

• Kept up to date and usually very reliable.

• Easy feedback option to report errors, additions, etc.

• Provides a basic search and a superb advanced search engine option on each page of site.

• Gives well-organized links to reliable Web sites of high quality, including articles in encyclopedias, etc.

• Many links are to non-proprietary resources that are available to all users.

• Persistent links to pages in Duke’s proprietary resources (such as Grove Music Online) should open if your institution also subscribes.

Duke University Libraries: DW3 Classical Music Resources — Homepage

Duke University Libraries: DW3 Classical Music Resources — Classical Music — Composer Homepages

Duke University Libraries: DW3 Classical Music Resources — Browse Resources — Classical Music — Composer Homepages — Early

Twentieth Century

Duke University Libraries: DW3 Classical Music Resources — Browse Resources — Classical Music — Composer Homepages — Early 20th Century —

Olivier Messiaen

Duke University Libraries: DW3 Classical Music Resources — Advanced Search

Music Library Service Company (MLSC)

• Outstanding vendor of compact discs and DVDs to libraries.

• Can supply a huge inventory of labels of all types of music at excellent prices with proven fast, efficient service.

• Provides a variety of Web-based lists, including monthly new releases (classical, jazz, DVDs, world, movies and showtunes, and super audio CDs); 3 collecting levels corresponding to the Basic Music Library, 3d ed.; core collections (presently Classical and Rock/Pop); and music charts/awards (Billboard charts, Grammy nominees and winners; Gramophone awards, etc.)

• Once you register for an account, you can also search MLSC’s vast online catalog of currently available CDs and DVDs (including popular music)

Music Library Service Company (MLSC): Homepage

Music Library Service Company (MLSC): New Releases

Music Library Service Company: A Basic Music Library — Musicals and Shows

Music Library Service Company: Online Store Search Screen

Music Library Service Company: Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

Amazon.com for CDs and DVDs

• For some CDs, prices are often higher than from vendors like MLSC.

• Sometimes, though, you can find terrific deals directly from Amazon.com that also qualify for the free shipping option (Wicked: $18.98 list; $14.95 MLSC; $13.49 Amazon.com)

• Searches via personal accounts will also open up many options to pursue similar materials.

• Opens up world of private sellers of new and used copies. You can sometimes do very well—but you also must factor in the cost of postage (automatically calculated by by Amazon.com by the no. of items, thus adding on an additional $2.50-$4.00 per item), and the amount of staff time expended looking for a deal.

• For libraries, these vendors are only a workable option if your library has an acquisitions credit card.

Amazon.com: Search for CD of Wicked

Reminder: Search for CDs under MUSIC

Amazon.com for Scores • Don’t be fooled—the “Music” option is for CDs not

scores.

• Scores must be searched as books—use the advanced search mode.

• Use primarily for popular music collections, musicals, Hal Leonard editions, Dover editions, etc. Savings can sometimes be substantial.

• For more academic editions, use a music vendor such as Theodore Front Musical Literature, Inc.

• Sometimes you can locate terrific deals on new scores sold by private parties.

• Again for libraries, these vendors are only a workable option if your library has an acquisitions credit card.

Amazon.com: Search for Scores of Gilbert and Sullivan Published by Dover(searched as author: gilbert sullivan; title: score; publisher: dover)

Amazon.com: Search for Vocal Score of La Cage aux Folles

Amazon.com: Following Used/New Link for Vocal Score of La Cage aux Folles

Theodore Front Musical Literature, Inc. — Advanced Search Page

CD HotList

New Releases for Libraries • Music recommendation service for librarians, from librarians,

edited by Rick Anderson (University of Nevada, Reno) and 5 contributing editors.

• Provides timely reviews of new CD releases of interest to libraries.

• Categories: Classical; Country/Folk; Jazz; Rock/Pop; World/Ethnic

• Issues extend back to November 2001.

• Buy now option added in 2004 conveniently makes direct connection to Baker & Taylor services (Title Source II or B&T Link Online) for ordering. Price is from Baker & Taylor or Amazon.com — tends to be on the high side, however.

• If you are not currently a Baker & Taylor customer, you can sign up by calling 800-775-1800.

CD HotList: New Releases for Libraries — Homepage

CD HotList: New Releases for Libraries — Classical, July 2004

CD HotList: New Releases for Libraries — Country/Folk, Sept. 2004

MLA-L: The Music Library Association Mailing List

• Hosted by Indiana University: mla-l@listserv.indiana.edu

• Includes topics of interest not only to the music library community but to many librarians dealing with the various formats of music.

• Sophisticated Archive search engine enables retrieval of postings on timely issues of concern to music librarians (copyright, CD security treatment, etc.)

Music Library Association Mailing List: Archives of MLA-L

Music Library Association Mailing List: Archive Search MLA-L

Music Library Association Mailing List: Archive Search Results (on “security CD”)

Music Library Association (MLA)

Copyright for Music Librarians • Of interest to ANY librarian dealing with copyright issues.

• The guide is sponsored by the Legislation Committee of the Music Library Association

• Charge of the Legislation Committee: To provide current information to the membership regarding the status of legislation and other legal matters likely to affect music libraries.

• Main sections include FAQs, Current Issues, Guidelines, and Resources.

• Each section divides into many subsections accessed from the left sidebar.

• Search engine allows for detailed searching of the entire site.

• Kept current—latest information is from March 14, 2005.

Music Library Association (MLA): Copyright for Music Librarians

Music Library Association (MLA): Copyright for Music Librarians: Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Information

NEMLA: http://www.wesleyan.edu/nemla/

Erin Mayhoodmayhood@bu.edu

Darwin F. Scott dscott@brandeis.edu

Margaret ChevianMChevian@provlib.org