Using the Collection

Music

Finding What You Want

Music

Printed Music can be found primarily through the Library’s catalogue at an individual item level. Search under composer, title or subject (eg Australian patriotic music or piano music (4 hands)). Some large music collections are currently only accessible through collection level records on the catalogue and in this case a finding aid or index may be available. Where printed music is held in Manuscript or other collections, these will be identified where possible through a finding aid, with the aim of providing some access through the catalogue.

Resources about Music and Musical Life

These are held in several areas across the Library and are generally searchable through the catalogue. Try searching by title or subject.

Accessing the collection

Music

The Library is digitising some of its most important music collections, making them accessible online, through the Library's website. Digital copies of individual music items can be accessed from a link in the catalogue record for the item. Integrated and cooperative access to Australian music resources and information, in multiple formats, is available through the MusicAustralia service, brought to you by the National Library of Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive, together with cultural organisations across the nation.

The ephemeral nature of printed and unpublished music scores and parts, their often unique or irreplaceable value and the fragile physical condition of some items means that their use and handling generally requires conditions that best ensure long-term survival and accessibility. These materials are therefore delivered to onsite users under supervision through the Petherick Reading Room.

Onsite users can listen to archival sound recordings in the Petherick Reading Room: a keyboard and computer with music notation software is also available to users. An upright piano is available for playing collection material: this can be booked through the Petherick staff.

Digital delivery of selected Library audio materials is in development.

Resources about Music and Musical Life

These are generally accessible through the Main Reading Room.

Copying material from the collection

Copies of music can be made for readers subject to any copyright or permissions restrictions, and preservation risks. Copying can be requested through the Copies Direct service. Copies are also lent to other libraries.

Borrowing material from the collection

Original materials normally remain within the Library at all times, except where lent for exhibition or special purposes.

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