The Bakalar Music Library was opened in March 1992, replacing Longy's old music library which was located in what is now the balcony of Pickman Hall. The new library was built thanks to the generous financial support of David and Sandra Bakalar.

The Bakalar Music Library occupies a three-level wing at the rear of Zabriskie House. It features an upper floor with an attractive, skylight -illuminated space for study and listening, a reference area and computer workstations on the main floor, and open stacks with music scores on the lower level.

FACILITIES

Audio and Video Facilities
The Upper floor of the library features eight listening carrels with CD players, cassette decks and turntables. A television with DVD and videocassette player is available for individual viewing. Please note that recording of CDs and other copyright media is not permitted in the library.

Study Space
The upper level serves as an attractive reading room with a large study table and individual carrels. The first floor features a reference area with seating and five computer workstations.  

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COLLECTIONS

The Bakalar Music Library acquires materials that support the academic and music performance needs of the Longy community.

The collection includes 4,300 books, some 11,000 scores, and about 9,000 audio and visual recordings (including LP records, CDs, DVDs and videocassettes). Recordings are stored in closed stacks outside the library, and must be requested at the Circulation Desk. Orchestral parts and choral octavos are maintained in separate libraries, but may be accessed by arrangement with the library staff.

The library's collections reflect an emphasis on the Western art music tradition. As a result of many generous gifts since the new library was opened, the library also features notable strengths in certain areas. These include a fine collection of materials pertaining to renaissance and baroque dance (the Margaret Daniels-Girard and Ingrid Brainard collections), a large collection of early music for the lute and keyboard (modern editions as well as facsimile reprints of early sources), and a strong collection of medieval and renaissance music in both modern and facsimile editions.

Periodicals and Journals
The Bakalar Music Library actively subscribes to some 30 scholarly and general interest music journals. New arrivals are displayed on the first floor; back issues are shelved in the upper-level stacks. In addition, complete back runs of 32 scholarly music journals are available online through JSTOR.

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