Research Guides: Music: Boston Area Music Libraries

Music Libraries In The Boston Area

Boston is a musical hub and there are numerous music collections in the Boston area open to UMass Boston students. Many libraries will not lend certain types of scores even to their own patrons, but these materials can be viewed on site at the library. Other materials such as critical works, pocket scores, and sometimes recordings will circulate. Most of the holdings of these libraries can be discovered via WorldCat @ UMass Boston.

New England Conservatory
Contains 85,000 volumes of music and books and subscribes to over 290 journals, newsletters and newspapers. The library's special collections include early printed editions from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, as well as manuscripts and first editions of works by composers of the "Boston School."

UMass Boston students may borrow from this library upon presentation of an up to date UMass Boston ID card.
Boston Library Consortium
Current UMass Boston faculty, staff and students, whose library records are in good standing, are eligible for a BLC card. This card allows you to borrow directly from Boston Library Consortium libraries in person. You may apply for your BLC card at the Healey Library circulation desk. The Libraries in this consortium which have strong music collections are Boston University; Brandeis University; Tufts University; and Wellesley College.
Boston Public Library - online audio collections
Useful titles for streaming audio music including American Music, Classical Music Library, and Smithsonian Global Sound.
Boston Public Library - Arts Department - Music and Performing Arts Collection
Extensive Music research collection. Most of the material has to be used in the Music section of the research library at Copely Square in Boston. Take note of the hours for the Music section listed on the web link--they have been limited of late. Any resident of Massachusetts may use the resources of Boston Public Library.