In summer 2005, the music library of Roosevelt University was closed, remodeled and reopened as the Performing Arts Library. The old music library occupied 4 rooms spread across the 11the floor of the Auditorium Building. The floor was shared with two other offices, and the arrangement of space across the floor created a “closed stacks” collection. All of the problems related to space were solved by the 2005 renovation.

Collections

The Roosevelt University Performing Arts Library has one of the best academic music and theatre collections in Illinois. The most recent collection count breaks down the collection in the following manner:

Music books: 15,500

Theatre books & scripts 10,000

Scores (LC class M): 47,000

Sound recordings: 13,700

Archives: 5,000

Total holdings: 91,200 items

Strengths include history and performance practice of Western art music, contemporary music and jazz studies. The library also owns many critically edited complete works sets of individual composers and collections.

Currently, the library carries over 100 periodical subscriptions both electronic and in print, and has complete runs of several important music and theatre journals. Follow this link to see complete journals holdings:

http://ng4al8ll6x.search.serialssolutions.com/?V=1.0&L=NG4AL8LL6X&S=SC&C=10

The Performing Arts Library archives contain many historically important documents, rare books, scores and sound recordings. In addition, the archives hold extensive material relating to the music school dating to its origins in the 19^th century, including papers and large audio archives of Rudolph Ganz.

Sheet Music

Many of the scores used in performance are kept in a separate collection known as the sheet music collection. At nearly 30,000 items, this collection represents a significant portion of our entire holdings. The collection is categorized by instrument or ensemble, and alphabetically by composer within each category. The card catalog music be used to search for items in this collection.

Staff

Deb Morris, MLIS;MM;BM
Performing Arts Library Interim Director
312-341-2328
dmorris@roosevelt.edu

Anita Hwang, BM; MM
Library Technical Assistant/Circulation Manager
312-341-2136
ahwang@roosevelt.edu

Carrie May, BA; MLIS
Chief Clerk
312-341-3651
cmay@roosevelt.edu

Directions to PAL

The PAL is located on the 11^th floor of the historic Auditorium Building at 430 S. Michigan Ave in downtown Chicago. From the Michigan Ave. lobby on the ground floor, take the south bank of elevators (left as you enter the lobby) to the 10^th floor. Exit and turn to your left. Ascend the white staircase to the PAL.

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