Services and Policies
- Audio-Visual Facilities
- Catalogs
- Circulation and Reserve Services
- Loan Periods
- Location Guide to Call Numbers
Audio-Visual Facilties
Individual and group listening and viewing stations are located in the back wing of the first floor of the Music Library.
The Music Library Group Listening Room accommodates 8-10 people. It has equipment for playing sound recordings (CD, audio cassette, LP, 78) and video recordings (DVD, VHS, Laserdisc), as well as network connections. The Group Listening Room may be reserved in advance by members of the Vassar community. Priority in scheduling the room is given to music faculty. When the room is not reserved, it is open for use on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve the Group Listening Room, please speak to the Circulation Supervisor in person or at x7336.
Headphones for in-library use may be borrowed at the Circulation Desk with a valid Vassar identification card. Music Library videos and sound recordings, with the exception of Reference LP's, may be borrowed and taken out of the Music Library with a valid Vassar identification card. Click here for Music Library loan periods and policies.
The duplication of audio and/or visual recordings is not permitted in the Music Library.
Catalogs
The Vassar College Libraries Online Catalog includes much of the Music Library collection. However, most pre-1978 scores (except opera, solo piano and solo vocal works) and pre-1978 sound recordings are not yet represented in the online catalog. Two versions are available:
Webpac or Telnet (Login: Library)
The Music Library Card Catalog consists of Music Library holdings, mostly older scores and LP recordings, not yet included in the Vassar Libraries Online Catalog. The Music Library card catalog is located in the Reading Room on the first floor of the Music Library.
Circulation and Reserve Services
The Music Library Circulation/Reserve Desk is located immediately inside the Music Library. Go to the Circulation/Reserve Desk to check out and return circulating Music Library materials (books, scores, recordings, videos, etc.), as well as headphones and remote control units for use with the listening and viewing equipment in the Music Library. The Music Library does not have a separate reserve desk; go to the Circulation/Reserve Desk to check out and return Music Library reserve items.
There is a book drop in the door to the Music Library which may be used to return Music Library materials when the library is closed. Please do not put fragile items through the book drop.
The Music Library reserve services are combined with its Circulation Desk services. Materials placed on reserve at the Music Library are available for library use only. With a few exceptions*, they may not circulate outside the Music Library. Reserve materials are available whenever the Music Library is open.
*Exception: Overnight loan for books and scores from the circulating collection:
These materials may be taken out of the Music Library on an overnight loan 30 minutes before closing time. They must be returned within 30 minutes after the Music Library opens the following day. Reference books, reference scores, sound recordings, and videos may not be checked out on overnight loan.
Loan Periods
- Books and Scores: 30 days, 1 renewal. (Seniors: End of the semester.)
- Circulating cassettes, CDs, LPs: 2 weeks, no renewals.
- DVDs, Videos, Reference CDs: 3 days, no renewals.
- Reference LPs: In-house use only.
- Reserve Materials: In-house use only, some books and scores overnight. (Inquire at the Music Library Circulation Desk.)
Fines and Replacement Fees
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Circulating Books and Scores
Books and scores not returned after four weeks beyond the original due date result in a suspension of a student’s library borrowing privileges, with the exception of borrowing reserve items and headphones. In addition, the student receives a bill, which includes a $40 replacement fee, a $10 processing fee, and a $10 billing fee. Borrowing privileges are restored upon return of billed items or upon the transfer of charges to the student’s college bill. Although the replacement and processing fees are dropped upon the return of an item, the student is still responsible for the billing fee.
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Circulating Sound Recordings
Students accrue a fine of $ .20 a day per item for circulating sound recordings not returned by the designated due date. If these materials are not returned within 10 days, the student receives a bill, as for other overdue items. Although the replacement and processing fees are dropped upon the return of an item, the student is still responsible for the $10 billing fee.
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Reference CDs and Video Recordings (VCR, DVD)
Students accrue a fine of $1.00 a day per item for reference CDs and video recordings not returned by the designated due date. If these materials are not returned within 10 days, the student receives a bill, as for other overdue items. Although the replacement and processing fees are dropped upon the return of an item, the student is still responsible for the $10 billing fee.
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Reserve Items
Regular reserve items are for in-house use only and must be returned by the end of the day. Students accrue a fine of $1.00 for every hour a reserve item is returned beyond closing time.
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Overnight Reserve Items
Circulating books and scores on reserve may be checked out overnight one half hour before closing. These items must be returned within the first half hour of opening the following day. Students accrue a fine of $1.00 for every hour items are returned beyond this time.
Location Guide to Call Numbers
Books and Periodicals
- Books, circulating: Ground floor.
- Books, oversize: Ground floor.
- Books, reference: First floor. To the right of the card catalog. Reference books are marked with a red dot.
- Periodicals, current issues: First floor. In the alcove left of the card catalog.
- Periodicals, bound: First floor. Located in the listening area.
- Treasure Room: Inquire at Music Library Circulation Desk.
Microtext
- Microfilm, Microfiche, Microcards: Green cabinets on third floor.
- Microfilm, Microfiche, Microcard Readers: Second floor.
Music Instructional Software and Multimedia
- Inquire at Music Library Circulation Desk.
Scores
- 00-01: First floor.
- 02, 04: Inquire at Circulation Desk.
- 06-59: Floor 2B
- 6-99: Ground floor.
- Oversize: Ground floor.
- Treasure Room: Inquire at Music Library Circulation Desk.
Recordings
- All Cassettes, CDs, Reference LPs, DVDs, Videos: Inquire at Music Library Circulation Desk.
- Circulating LPs: Located in the listening area, first floor.
- Laserdiscs: Located in the listening area, first floor.
Reserve Materials
- Inquire at Music Library Circulation Desk.