This document provides guidance on music interlending for libraries. It discusses the complexities of sourcing music materials for performance given variations in formats, titles, versions and copyright. Key steps outlined are understanding performer needs, using catalogues and reference sources to locate materials, managing loans by keeping detailed records, and asking other music specialists for help when needed. Subscribing to the IAML mailing list and attending training are also recommended for music librarians to provide successful interlending services.

1. Back to basics:
music interlending
Helen Bader
Assistant Librarian
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

2. “The successful management of the
printed music requirements for
orchestral and choral performance is
perhaps the most complex operation in
the music service industry.”
(Wright 2003, p.250)

3. Understanding
what musicians
need

4. Music formats
Full score
Study score
Miniature score
Vocal score
Orchestral part
Orchestral set

5. Terminology
Libretto
Arranger / arrangement
Opus number
Work number
Voices (SATB etc)

6. Searching can be
challenging!
Foreign / alternative titles
Variations in spelling (eg
composers’ names)
Opus / work numbers
Different versions of works

7. Candide
by Leonard
Bernstein
Operetta
1956 Original Broadway version
1973 Broadway revival
1989 “Final revised version”
Overture
Operetta
Symphony orchestra
Wind ensemble

8. Locating music
materials

9. Some music materials can be sourced in the same way as
monographs, journal articles, theses etc.
BLDSS
Copac
SUNCAT
EThOS
FABLibraries /
WorldCat

10. Online sources
International Music Score Library Project imslp.org
Composer websites

11. Can you be sure that the
music is in the public domain?
Copyright

12. Music for
performance

13. What you may
need to know
• Composer
• Title
• Version
• Arranger / editor
• Publisher
• Language
• Dates required (first
rehearsal to
performance)
• Type & number of
scores / parts required

14. ENCORE! The British
Union Catalogue of
Performance Music Sets
http://asp.bibits.no/encore/wsSearch.
Asp

15. Image © Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Image courtesy of wirewiping via en.wikipedia (CC by 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirewiping/5588062881/
Conservatoire libraries

16. Boosey & Hawkes
OUP
United Music
Publishers
Novello
Schott
Universal Edition
Publishers’ hire libraries
Music Publishers Association (MPA)

17. Managing the
loan

18. Know what you’ve
been sent
Keep detailed records
Create your own
numbering system
Check, check and
check again
Replace lost parts
and scores

19. Verdi’s Requiem – sung by 400!
Image courtesy of pennstatelive via Flickr (CC by 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pennstatelive/5588528641/

20. Catalogues
and reference
sources

21. Printed
Information sources in music (ed. L. Foreman)
British Union Catalogue of Music Periodicals (BUCOMP)
Music dictionaries and encyclopaedias

22. Oxford Music Online
http://www.oxfordmusiconline.
com
British Library - Music
Collections
http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/find
helprestype/music/index.html
OperaGlass
http://opera.stanford.edu/
Music Theory & History
Online
http://www.dolmetsch.com
Online

23. Further help
and advice

24. Jiscmail list (IAML-UK-IRL@JISCMAIL.AC.UK)
Training courses (Success with music inter-library loans, Music
for the terrified, Virtuoso skills for music enquiries)
Publications (Working with music in libraries)
IAML (UK & IRL)
http://www.iaml.info/iaml-uk-
irl/index.html

25. Top tips for
music
interlending

26. 1. Make sure you
know exactly what
your borrower wants
2. Have access to
comprehensive
music reference
resources

27. 3. Subscribe to the
IAML UK & IRL
Jiscmail list
4. Ask for help from
music specialists

28. 5. Go to some of the
performances - it’s a
great feeling knowing
you’ve helped made
it happen!

29. Image courtesy of Stefan Baudy via Flickr (CC by 2.0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/-bast-/349497988/
Any questions?

30. Helen Bader
helen.bader@rwcmd.ac.uk
Twitter: @helbader
Slideshare: helbader
References
Wright, S. (2003) “Performance (orchestral, opera
and ballet).” In: Foreman, L. (ed.) Information
sources in music. Munich: K.G. Saur. pp.250-261.