The Peter Jay Sharp Library

Collections

Apart from course reserve materials and reference scores and books, you may check out and take home almost everything in the Library's collections, including CDs and DVDs. See the Privileges and Policies page for more information.

• Printed music. (Link >) The Library maintains a superb collection of solo instrumental and vocal music, chamber music performance sets, and study scores. You’ll find all of the standard repertoire, often in a variety of editions; a large array contemporary music; and thousands of unusual or less well-known works to explore. Printed music is arranged on the shelves using a simplified Dewey Decimal System that makes browsing as easy as possible.
• Books. (Link >)  Music (primarily classical and jazz), literature, the fine arts, theater, film, dance, history, philosophy, and so forth.
• Sound recordings. The collection of over 33,000 recordings is supplemented by more than a million tracks of streaming audio. The concentration is on classical and jazz, with occasional forays into other kinds of music. There are reissues of historic performances as well as significant new releases. In addition, all recordings of School performances are kept in the Library. Some of these are also available for streaming: look for the links in the catalog.
• DVDs. (Link >)  More than 3600 DVDs feature instrumental and opera performances, documentaries, and master classes. The Library also has a popular collection of movies and filmed plays. Three video-on-demand services are available to all students and faculty, offering thousands of titles for online viewing at home.
• Periodicals. Music journals, local magazines  (Time Out New York, The New Yorker, etc.), and other titles of general interest (The Times Literary Supplement, Time magazine) are available on the open display racks in the periodicals reading area of the Library. Even more titles are available in full text online; check the Library catalog for complete information.
• MSM Archives. The Library houses the official Manhattan School of Music Archives.

Services

• WiFi and data ports. Bring your laptop and enjoy full Internet access. 
• Streaming audio (Link >) and video. (Link >) Listen to music or watch thousands of music-related videos at home.
• Online databases. (Link >) Grove Music Online, MusicalAmerica.com, JSTOR, the International Index to Music Periodicals (IIMP), Classical Scores Library, and more are available to all students and faculty.
• Catalog. (Link >) The Library catalog is more than a guide to its collections. Look here for links to Internet resources and other valuable information. 
• Interlibrary loan. (Link >) This free service allows you to borrow materials from other libraries. 
• Reference service. A librarian is on duty at the reference desk Monday-Friday 11–5. At any time you may also visit the Library Director in his office just off the main reading room.

Facilities

• Computer lab. PCs and iMacs are freely available on a first-come basis. Each is equipped with standard programs like Word and Excel as well as the software notation programs Finale and Sibelius. Headphones are available at the CD circulation desk.
• Photocopiers. Print or photocopy for 15 cents per page, or scan for free.
• Exhibits. Rotating exhibits highlight materials in the Library's collections and the School’s history and musical endeavors.
• Library sale shelf. Purchase duplicates and discards at bargain prices.

Located on the second floor, just outside the entrance to the Peter Jay Sharp Library, the Performance Library contains performing materials for orchestra, wind ensemble, and brass ensemble, contemporary ensemble and chorus. Complete sets of materials may be borrowed only for Manhattan School of Music concerts and readings. Individual parts may be borrowed for perusal purposes for one hour.

Collections

• Orchestra part sets for over 1200 symphonic works and operas comprising almost every major orchestral work in the repertoire and much more.
• 700 choral sets
• 230 wind ensemble sets

Complete sets of materials may be borrowed only by faculty members and conductors currently associated with Manhattan School of Music. Students may borrow sets with faculty sponsorship; for more information, contact the performance librarian. Individual parts may be borrowed by faculty, students, and alumni for perusal purposes for one hour.

Services and Supplies

• Orchestra Parts for Large Ensembles: The Performance Librarian supplies orchestra parts to all school orchestras, choruses, and contemporary ensembles.
• Reference Service: The Performance Librarian is available to answer questions relating to the acquisition of individual orchestra parts, rental part sets, hard-to-find orchestra excerpts, and concerto sets.
• Orchestra Excerpts/Perusal Parts: Perusal parts and excerpts can be requested by current students and alumni by visiting the performance library during open hours, or by sending an e-mail to the performance librarian detailing the exact excerpts you require.
• Music Supplies: Current students are welcome to make use of library supplies including: music tape, staplers and electric erasers.