The Music Collection and Music Research at DePaul University Library
A DePaul Libraries Research Guide

 

Most music materials are housed in the John T. Richardson Library on the Lincoln Park Campus. The music collection includes books about music, printed music (scores), sound recordings (compact discs, LPs, and cassettes), periodicals, videorecordings, and interactive multimedia. All materials with the exception of many LPs are listed in the Library Catalog. To check out materials or use the Viewing/Listening Room, you must present a current DePaul ID.

Books and scores
Most books and scores have call numbers in the 780's; those that can be checked out are shelved on the 4th floor.
Scores are designated by a "MUS" prefix and are shelved in the northwest corner of the 4th floor, behind the books. Collected editions of composers are shelved at the beginning of this range, mostly in the 780.81 call number range, and do not circulate.

Sound Recordings
Most compact discs are shelved in cabinets in the Viewing/Listening Room, although there are several compact discs which are shelved behind the Circulation Desk on the first floor. Music CDs, regardless of where they are shelved, can be borrowed for 7 days. The number of CDs one can borrow is 2 (a set counts as one). LPs are shelved in the Viewing/Listening Room. For a comprehensive search of LP holdings, consult the card catalog in the Viewing/Listening Room.

Videorecordings
The Library owns several videorecordings of opera, jazz, music instruction and performance. All videos are listed in the Library Catalog. Most videos may be checked out for a one-week period.

Periodicals
All periodicals are designated with the prefix "Per" before the call number; back volumes and current issues are shelved in the 780's on the second floor. All periodical holdings are listed in the Library Catalog as well as in the Journal and Newspaper Articles page of the Libraries' website. Since there are several music journals available in electronic format, be sure to check the latter page for a comprehensive view of the Library's journal holdings.

Interactive Multimedia
The Library has a small collection of music interactive multimedia. These may be checked out or used in the Education Resource Center. To determine current holdings, view Music Interactive Multimedia at DePaul University Library or search the Library Catalog.

Reserve Desk
Materials which instructors have placed on reserve are kept at this desk. Sound recordings and headphones must be requested at this desk in exchange for a current DePaul ID. To determine what an instructor has put on reserve, perform a Course Reserves search in the Library Catalog.

Guides to Music Research

 Online Resources
The DePaul University Libraries subscribe to several databases which contain information on music. Listed below are a few selected resources which are especially useful in the field of music; all databases are for DePaul users only. For a complete list and to access any of these databases, go to the A-Z Database List or the Music Research sections of the Libraries' home page.

Internet Resources
A selected list of music internet sources may be found in the Libraries' Research by Subject: Music guide. For a more comprehensive list, consult one of the mega-sites listed below.

Suggestions for purchase
DePaul students, faculty, and staff are welcome to send us a suggestion for purchase if you'd like to see a book, music score, recording, video, or other resource added to the collection.

Questions or Comments to: racker@depaul.edu

© 2007 DePaul University Libraries.