Detailed Description
Administrative Structure
Music
Resources in the LSU Libraries, reports directly to the Dean of
Libraries. It is located as a
special operating unit in Middleton Library, the main campus library. It supports
all departments within the School of Music.
Historical Context
Until 1986 when the School of Music building opened, the Music
Library was in the School of Music and Dramatic Arts. It was a small collection
that included only scores and sound recordings. From 1986 until 1996, the
materials from the School of Music collection were in storage and all other
music materials were in the general collection in Middleton Library. In 1996,
Music Resources opened under the direction of Music Librarian Lois
Kuyper-Rushing. It is housed in Middleton Library. It contains all music
materials including books, scores, journals, reference works, complete
editions, monuments of music and all audio-visual materials.
The staff consists
of one full-time professional librarian with over 25 years of library
experience (MLS, MM and DMA in oboe performance), two full-time
paraprofessionals, both with doctoral degrees in music, each
with more than twenty years library experience. There are 2 half-time graduate
assistants and 2.8 full-time equivalent student assistants. The librarian is
responsible for goals, policies, procedures, special projects, collection
development and management, training initiatives, and outreach to the campus
community. The paraprofessionals are
responsible for the day-to-day operation of the department including
student assistant training, scheduling, and supervision; equipment management and participating in
collection development / management projects. Student assistants staff
the service desk where they check books in and out, answer basic reference
questions, and demonstrate the use of some databases. They shelve books and
generally maintain the collection, work on special projects, and organize gift
collections for collection development decisions.
Collection Scope and
Organization
The scope and
organization of the collection is governed by a detailed collection
development policy which can be accessed from the Libraries' home page.
Although format of materials is considered, emphasis is on content rather than
format.
Information and
Instructional Services
Music Resources is open
78 hours a week, seven days per week during the fall and winter semesters.
The online catalog and a variety of electronic resources can be accessed 24
hours per day via the Internet. A public service desk is continuously
staffed during operating hours. All staff including student assistants are trained in locating materials, answering informational
questions, and accessing electronic information. The librarian provides
individualized instructional sessions and specialized classroom instruction to
graduate and undergraduate students at the request of students or professors.
Reference service is also provided by telephone and e-mail.
Technology
Music Resources has fourteen
IBM compatible computers which provide access to the library's online
public access catalog, the Internet, and electronic books, journals, indexes,
databases. They are also used by patrons listening to CDs or sound files
provided on the course software program (Moodle) or watching DVDs. Three
videocassette players / monitors, two LP players and three audiocassette / CD
players are provided, as well as a cart with an LP player and a CD player when
this equipment is needed in locations around the library.
Music Resources has a
Group Room, capacity 15 people, for classes, meetings, seminars and discussion
groups. The room in equipped with CD, audiocassette and LP players as well as a
large-screen monitor for videocassettes, DVDs and laser discs. It can be
scheduled for semester-long classes or single uses.
The Music Resources website
- http://www.lib.lsu.music/ - is
extensive, viable, and dynamic. The Music Webliography,
a bibliography of music websites, is accessible through the Music Resources
website.
Collaboration
There is collaboration
between the Music Resources, the School of Music and its faculty. For example, music faculty members have
actively participated in the selection of resources and the donation of
materials, as well as the deselection of dated
materials.
The audience targeted by
Music Resources is primarily university affiliates; however, involvement in
non-campus, music-related activities is encouraged. Library borrowing
privileges via a temporary library card which can be renewed each year are
extended to community members and those affiliated with other universities in
the state.
