Music Library – James Madison University
Space and Physical Access
The JMU Music Library is located in the basement of the Music Building on the main campus of James Madison University. There are no parking lots close to the building and I didn’t see any bike racks. The city bus does stop close to the building. I had a very difficult time finding the library as there were no signs. I went into the music building and finally found someone who told me how to get there. I didn’t see any elevators, so I’m not sure if it is handicapped accessible. In addition, the space itself is small and I don’t think a wheelchair could maneuver the area successfully. Inside the door to the right is a small information desk. To the left are some desks/tables with computers, a record player, reel to reel film projector and other equipment. Next to this area is a reference area with books and journals. In addition to the desks/tables and chairs, there are four cushioned chairs backing up to each other in a circle.
Collections / Services / Intellectual Access
The collections are on the right side of the library. They are organized by The Library of Congress Classification System. The collections include cd’s, lp’s, videos, music scores, sheet music, reference materials, journals, streaming media, and recorded JMU performances. The community can check out some of the materials in the library. The collections of scores and sheet music is stored in shelving that is moveable and pulls in and out to save space.
Technology available to use in the library includes computers, printers, scanners, recording transfer station, headphones, keyboards, computer mice. The following is available for JMU patrons to check-out for three days: audio and video recording equipment; cd and dvd drives.
People – Patrons and Staff
The main patrons for the JMU Music Library are JMU music students, faculty and staff. The public, however, is welcome to use the library and borrow some of the materials. There were no patrons and two staff members, one librarian and one assistant, in the library when I visited. Both of the staff members were female. The librarian was white and the assistant was hispanic. It is hard to determine how many staff members work in the Music Library because the staff webpage lists staff from all four JMU libraries together. According to the Music Library website, the director of the library is a white male.
Digital Access
https://www.lib.jmu.edu/music/#Other
The website is easy to read and navigate. The website includes a Music Library materials search which the public can access. Some of the other searches, however, like the streaming music search, require a JMU id and password. Music databases, music journals, reference materials, articles, and dissertations are some of the collections that are available on the website. There is also an equipment loan link that enables students and staff to use, borrow, and check-out some of the Music Library technology. This library has “a relatively small number of users and restricted access to relatively small but highly specialized collections” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p. 160). There is a link to a staff page that lists all employees for all four JMU libraries. It includes phone numbers and emails. The Music Library page didn’t include any information on accommodations. However, the main JMU library page does include a link for accommodations for visually impaired, blind and print disabled students.
Final Take Away
Overall my impression of the Music Library was positive. The staff was very friendly and helpful. There are two negatives that stand out. First, it was hard to find, since there are no signs. Second, I’m not sure if it is handicapped accessible since I didn’t see an elevator and the area is small.
Reference
Rubin, R. E., & Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.
It’d be interested to know how many patrons utilize the music library compared to the main JMU library, and what the funding division is between their respective collections. It’s disappointing to learn that it wasn’t built with universal design in mind, and consequently isn’t very accessible. I wonder if the equipment loan, like audio and video recorders, are truly available to all JMU students and staff or only those in the music department/programs? I’m also unclear about use of materials in the library space itself, like can non-students/staff utilize the recording transfer station?
Kiley,
The way I understand it, anyone can use the recording transfer station since it is in the library and not equipment that is loaned out.
Hi Tina, this sounds like an interesting experience. It would be cool if they had special recording booths for students or anyone that wanted to record, like a mini recording studio. Or possibly the music department itself has this available in another part of the building? It would be a neat thing to have available to the public too, with the needed equipment to record. It sounds like the space could be “upgraded” some and better advertised with signs/directions to find the place!
I do believe the music department has a recording area in another part of the building.
It’s really neat that they offer checking out materials for people in the community. It’s such an interesting concept to me to catalog something like music. Too bad it’s not more accessible.
Movable shelving is so useful, I love seeing it incorporated in libraries. It’s too bad that this library seems to be hard to find and inaccessible to some, it sounds like it has a great collection, particularly with the sheet music.
Interesting that the public can check some things out of the music library as I figured they would want the equipment to be saved for students and faculty. I would love to see their collection of sheet music and the Recording Transfer Station looks really interesting (if that picture you have under the seating picture is the station)