A Guide to Library Research in Music

A Guide to Library Research in Music introduces students to the process and techniques for researching and writing about music. It provides examples of different types of writing, offers a thorough introduction to music literature, describes various information-searching methods and library-based organizational systems, and explores the wide array of music resources. This second edition discusses the latest innovations in library catalog searching, new matters in digital technology, and the expansion in musical genres for library research. The book’s organization allows for three independent tracks of study. Part 1 treats essentials of the research process, explaining starting-point resources such as library catalogs, dictionaries, and bibliographies. It addresses scholarly documentation, the use of style manuals, and basics of copyright. Part 2 develops skills and strategies for library- and Internet-based research, describing database structures and library catalogs, subject searching in catalogs and journal indexes, keyword searching techniques, related-record searching and citation databases, and the use of experts and thematic catalogs. Part 3 discusses the organization of a music library, emphasizing score collections, books and journals in music literature, and music teaching publications.

Table of Contents:
Preface How to Use This Book Acknowledgments Part 1 The Short Course: Music Research and Writing Chapter 1 The Research Process Chapter 2 Starting-Point Resources: Reference Books Chapter 3 Starting-Point Resources: Journals Chapter 4 Starting-Point Resources: Bibliographies Chapter 5 A Case Study Chapter 6 Scholarly Writing Chapter 7 Writing Samples Part 2 How To: Discover and Use Resources Chapter 8 Browsing as a Discovery Strategy Chapter 9 Databases: Structured for Searching Chapter 10 Subject Searching in Library Catalogs: Controlled Vocabulary Chapter 11 Subject Searching in Indexes and Abstracts Chapter 12 Keyword Searching Chapter 13 Related-Record Searching and Citation Indexes Chapter 14 Other Discovery Methods: Experts and the Internet Chapter 15 Using Thematic Catalogs Part 3 Resources: The Literature of Music Chapter 16 M: The Music-Scores and Recordings Chapter 17 ML: Music Literature Chapter 18 MT: Instruction and Study Appendix 1 Form Subdivisions: A Selective List from the Library of Congress Subject Headings Appendix 2 Outline of the Library of Congress M-Class Appendix 3 Topical Guide to Music in the Library of Congress Classification Appendix 4 Bibliographies by Topic in ML128 Bibliography

About the Author :
Pauline Shaw Bayne is retired assistant dean of libraries and professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Two web-based resources created by her—UT Song Index and UT Analysis Index—continue to be maintained by the staff of the George F. DeVine Music Library, which Bayne managed for 36 years. She has also written articles about moving library collections, digital audio reserves, delivering instructional media, and computer-based training for library staff. Edward Komara is Distinguished Librarian at the Crane Music Library, the State University of New York at Potsdam. His contributions to music research have been in jazz, blues, rock, and other kinds of music for which recordings are the primary sources. His previous book for Rowman and Littlefield, 100 Books Every Blues Fan Should Own (with Greg Johnson), received the 2016 Vincent Duckles Award from the Music Library Association for the best book-length bibliography or reference work in music.

Review :
Bayne and Komara take readers through the wide breadth of music research. Those using the book can read cover to cover, use the alternative reading order suggested by the authors (moving between overview chapters in Part 1 and skill-developing chapters in Part 2), or dive into sections as needed. The work is divided into three parts. “The Short Course” breaks down the basics of research, covering library catalogs and dictionaries, the use of style manuals, and copyright. “How To” helps readers hone skills for finding information, and “Resources” “explores the logic behind the arrangement of music materials using the Library of Congress classification system.” The format makes what may be an overwhelming task easy to digest, highlighting subject-specific searching techniques and resources. Like the first edition, this one doesn’t disappoint, and the authors spotlight new resources available since the original was published in 2008.... Written for students at the undergraduate and graduate level, as well as for general learners, this is a necessary tool for those looking for guidance in finding music research. This book is intended as a textbook for music research classes, but it could also be a valuable resource for serious music researchers. Bayne (emer., Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville) wrote the first edition (2008), and is now joined by Komara (SUNY Potsdam). Like the first edition, the volume is divided into three parts: "The Short Course: Music Research and Writing," "How To: Discover and Use Resources," and "Resources: The Literature of Music." Each chapter starts with basics, defining what a certain type of research resource or process is and providing significant examples, and each ends with learning exercises appropriate for class use. Both print and electronic resources receive ample coverage. Notably, part 3 details the complex Library of Congress classification system for music and includes supporting appendixes. The amount of space given to this often-overlooked topic is a welcome validation of its importance to music researchers. A valuable resource for university music libraries and for public libraries with significant music collections. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals. Pauline Shaw Bayne and Edward Komara demystify the most daunting aspects of music research in an update that remains approachable for beginning researchers.