OneSearch is Ball State Libraries' integrated discovery tool for books, scores, articles, recordings, and other library materials. It also indexes selected trustworthy online resources and incorporates subscription databases such as Academic Search Complete. On the Libraries' home page, you will see a simple search box:
After searching for your topic, you may find more resources than you need. You can narrow your results by using the filters listed to the left of the search results. For both physical and online books owned by Ball State University Libraries, check "Library Catalog." For physical books, the location (Music Collection) and call number (beginning with "M") indicate the books' location in Bracken Library. To specify online books (ebooks) only, check "eBook Full Text Online." Some eBooks require log in with Ball State University authentication to view the book. |
More information on OneSearch can be found at the research guide here: https://bsu.libguides.com/onesearch.
The Music Collection at University Libraries uses Library of Congress Classification, or LCC, for organizing books and scores on the shelves. This system, maintained by the national library of the United States and utilized by libraries across the country and around the world, groups together items on similar subjects. Each item is then assigned a unique call number which combines alphabetical and numerical characters. These features are designed to make browsing library collections easier for users and librarians alike. Tip: Enter the first part of a call number into OneSearch to see all items in a given section.
Call Numbers for Music History:
ML 55 - 89 Aspects of the field of music as a whole
ML 79 - 80 Literary authors and music
ML 82 Women and music
ML 85 Music in art. Musical instruments in art
ML 159 - 3785 History and criticism
ML 159 - 161 General works
ML 162 - 197.2 By period
ML 198 - 360.6 By region or country
ML 385 - 429 Biography
ML 410 Composers
ML 417 Pianists
ML 420 Singers
ML 421 Performing groups
ML 422 Conductors
ML 430 - 458 Composition and performance
ML 459 - 1380 Instruments and instrumental music
ML 1400 - 3275 Vocal music, including opera
ML 3300 - 3351 Program music
ML 3400 - 3465 Dance music
ML 3469 - 3541 Popular music
ML 3544 - 3776 Folk, national, and ethnic music
ML 3797 - 3799.5 Musical research
ML 3845 - 3877 Aesthetics
ML 3880 - 3915 Criticism
ML 3916 - 3918 Social and political aspects of music
A call number is an item's address in a library. Just like you have a unique mailing address, each library item has its own unique call number. Also like the components of a mailing address (i.e., street number, zip code, etc.), each part of a call number means something. The first letter or two letters is called a subclass. In music, there are only three subclasses. M is the subclass for music scores. Music books are in either ML or MT. ML is the subclass for music literature while MT is the subclass for music instruction and study, so usually music education or theory. The digits which follow indicate the specific topic of the book or score within each subclass. See the chart above and similar mappings to better understand how topics are classified.
Typically two alphanumeric signifiers called cutters follow the subclass. Cutters often correspond to the author or composer's last name or derive from the subject or title of the work. The numbers which follow the letter then offer clues as to the next letters of that name or title. Scores by Bach, for example, might be cuttered as B334, but could also be B2 or B24 depending on how nearby books fit on the shelves. This provides an alphabetical ordering for each topic. The final number in a call number, for example 1991, is typically the date of publication.
Although some call numbers have other components, these are the basic ones that most books and scores will have in some capacity. Shelves are also given numbers called ranges. For example, the music reference shelves are numbered 36 through 40. The more familiar call numbers become, the more you will also become acquainted with particular ranges where they are shelved. You can practice and test your knowledge of call numbers with this tutorial from Kent State Libraries.
University Libraries also uses Library of Congress Subject Headings, or LCSH, to facilitate subject searching of its online records. This integrated and multilayered system of tagging establishes a controlled vocabulary whereby users can search the catalog with agreed upon terminology. Use Advanced Search to specify books on specific topics. Select "Library Catalog," and "Book / ebook" for the content type, then type your search. For complex subjects, use the following formats for subjects:
[composer name] -- Bibliography
For example, Machaut -- Bibliography (includes books from both the circulating and reference collections)
Music -- [country]
For example: Music -- Ghana
Music -- Country-- Century -- History and Criticism
For example: Music -- France -- 19th Century -- History and Criticism
Musicians -- Biography or [Specific Musician or Composer] -- Biography
For example: Ellington -- Biography
Genre -- Country-- Century -- History and Criticism
For example: Opera -- Italy -- 19th Century -- History and Criticism
After finding a book that is pertinent to your topic, click on "Details" to find links to further reading:
The recommended books below represent a wide sampling of topics in music history research and include biographies, stylistic analyses, and investigations into different social and aesthetic issues. Perhaps one or more of these topics will inspire your next research project. Books are sorted by their call numbers for ease of browsing. Hover over the info icon to see a description.
Users are encouraged to search for items beyond University Libraries' catalog via RILM Abstracts of Music Literature and WorldCat. Materials not available in print or online may be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Please allow up to seven days for electronic delivery and up to fourteen days for delivery of physical items.