Introduction
The Marvin Duchow Music Library is one of the most important academic music collections in Canada. The collection consists of over 200,000 music scores, recordings, books, journals, and online resources. One of the 12 branches of the McGill Library, the Music Library provides resources and services to support the performance, composition, research, and teaching programs of the Schulich School of Music. It also serves the McGill University community at large. Members of the general public are welcome to consult the Library.
Layout
The Music Library is located on three floors of McGill’s Elizabeth Wirth Music Building, with the entry on the 3rd floor.
3rd floor
- Scores collection
- Oversized collection
- Music reference collection
- Rare materials and special collections
4th floor
- Audio/video collections and equipment
- Music production hardware and software
5th floor
- Gertrude Whitley Performance Library
- Music Student Computer Room
- Books
- Journals
Collection description
The Marvin Duchow Music Library's mandate is to collect and provide access to the wide variety of materials needed to study musical works. As a result, the collection consists of printed scores, sound and video recordings, books and journals, as well as musical, textual, graphics-based, and multimedia data in a variety of formats.
At the subject level, historic Music Library collection strengths include Renaissance scores in modern scholarly editions, materials to support the study of Baroque performance practice, and works in the history of music theory. More recent collection development has focused on jazz sound recordings, 20th-century scores, and books and journals to support programmes and research in music technology and sound recording engineering.
Holdings in the Music Library Special Collections Room include the David Edelberg/Handel Collection; manuscript scores and correspondence of 20th-century composers Julius Schloss, Marvin Duchow, and Kelsey Jones; the opera vocal scores of Pauline Donalda; the papers of music critic Eric McLean; and numerous 18th- and 19th-century performing and study editions of German and French repertoire.
Accessibility
The Marvin Duchow Music Library is wheelchair accessible, with an internal elevator providing easy access to each floor. Accessible washrooms are located on all 3 floors.
Most of the Music Library's services and facilities have been adapted for use by all clients. However, access to certain rooms inside the Library, such as seminar rooms, might be problematic as the doors do not yet have buttons that provide for automatic opening.
Library staff members are pleased to assist any client in need. Please alert a member of the full-time staff to any concerns, problems, or questions concerning accessibility issues.
You are also invited to share your Library-related accessibility stories or concerns with the Accessibility Working Group of the Schulich School of Music.
Library use policy
The Marvin Duchow Music Library's policies aim to create environments that support teaching, learning, and research at McGill. Adherence to Library use policies will help ensure positive outcomes and experiences for Library users.
Library Spaces
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Each floor in the Music Library has a designated sound level:
- 3rd (entrance) floor = Talking Zone
- 4th floor = Semi-Quiet Zone
- 5th floor = Silent Zone
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Two small group study rooms, bookable through the Library website, are available in the Music Library.
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Music Library seminar rooms on the 4th and 5th floors are available to students first come, first served, when not in use for courses or events. Reservations for seminar rooms are managed by the Schulich School of Music.
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Reusable water bottles or other sealed drink containers are permitted in Library spaces. A water fountain is available on the 3rd floor just outside the washrooms. Food is not permitted in the Library.
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During service hours, staff are available to assist users at the Music Library's Service Desk, which is located just inside the entrance to the Library on the 3rd floor of the Elizabeth Wirth Music Building.
General Library use
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Bring your valid McGill ID with you. It is required for identification, borrowing materials, and access purposes and must be produced upon request.
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Do not harass or threaten the well-being or dignity of Library staff or other users.
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The Library is not responsible for lost or stolen items. For your own protection, do not leave your personal belongings unattended. Unattended personal belongings may be removed by Security or Library staff. Security and Library staff may also wake users who are sleeping to prevent theft of their belongings.
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Food and beverages (except for bottled water and other drinks in sealed containers) are not permitted in the Library. Selling or distribution of food or beverages and the delivery of restaurant food to the Library are not permitted. Nearby alternative locations for food consumption are the alcove just outside the Music Library entrance, the Student Lounge and Vinh's Too (Strathcona Music Building), and the Royal Victoria College Dining Hall (641 Sherbrooke St. W.).
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E-cigarettes and vaporizers are not permitted anywhere in the Library (see McGill Smoking Policy).
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Do not disturb other users through activities such as discussions or telephone conversations, particularly in quiet study zones. There are specially designated areas for group study and other areas where quiet conversations and cell phone use are permitted. Mobile devices should be silenced throughout the library.
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Library users are not permitted to save seats for others.
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With the exception of service animals, animals are not permitted in the building.
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Fundraising or product drives, canvassing, soliciting, and the surveying of Library users are not permitted anywhere in the Library.
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Library materials, facilities or equipment must not be removed without authorization; familiarize yourself with borrowing conditions and the use of technology and equipment in the Library and respect them. Do not deface, mutilate, inappropriately use or willfully deprive other users of library materials, facilities or equipment. Do not highlight, underline or write on printed content.
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Observe copyright, intellectual property rights, and academic integrity when using Library materials.
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To report a problem with Library facilities or equipment, please visit the Service Desk.
Failure to follow the Library use policy may result in fines, sanctions, or disciplinary actions.
Questions?
This policy was established to preserve a clean and welcoming environment for research and study based on the McGill Handbook on Student Rights and Responsibilities. If you have questions or comments about the policy, please contact music.library [at] mcgill.ca.
