Use the library's online catalog -- the search box on the library's homepage -- to search for books about composers owned by Doane Library and other libraries around the world. See "Helpful search tips!" to find out how to have more effective searches in the catalog.
Print books in the library will have the item's availability and Library of Congress call number at the bottom of the brief record. For example:
AvailableDoane University General CollectionML410.S54 H4 1993
In this example the book is available, it's owned by Doane University, located in the General Collection, and its call number is ML410.S54 H4 1993. "General Collection" is the section of books in the central area of the library's lower level. If the book is in digital format, there won't be a call number and you'll see a button at the bottom of the brief record that says, "View eBook." This will take you to the ebook in our electronic book collection, where you can scan the book or download it to read.
See "Browsing call numbers for books on music" to get an idea of how books on composers, literature on music and music education are categorized in the library.
Books NOT owned by Doane: To find books in other libraries, select the limiter "Libraries Worldwide" in the left column. To get these books you will need to make an interlibrary loan request. Click on the "Request item through interlibrary loan" button on the item's full record screen and fill out the boxes in pink (required information). See the library's Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery page for more information about this service. |
The Library of Congress classification system categorizes music books in to Literature on Music (ML) and Musical Instruction (MT). Here are the main classifications for these two subjects:
ML (Literature on Music) |
|
ML48 - ML54 | Librettos |
ML100 - ML109 | Dictionaries and encyclopedias of music |
ML128 | Bibliographies by topic |
ML134 | Composer bibliography |
ML156 - ML158 | Discographies |
ML159 - ML3785 | Music history and criticism |
ML385 - ML 429 | Biography (ML410: Composer biographies, arranged alphabetically) |
ML430 - ML455 | Composition |
ML549 - ML1093 | Musical instruments |
ML1400 - ML3275 | Literature about vocal music |
ML3845 - ML3877 | Philosophy & aesthetics of music |
MT (Musical Instruction & Study) |
|
MT1 | General works on musical instruction & study |
MT5.5 - MT7 | Music theory |
MT70 - MT71 | Orchestra and orchestration |
MT90 - MT145 | Analytical guides (including program notes) |
MT95 - MT100 | Opera & ballet |
MT125 - MT130 | Orchestral music |
MT140 - MT145 | Chamber music |
MT170 - MT810 | Instrumental techniques (including method books) |
MT180 - MT198 | Organ |
MT220 - MT255 | Piano |
MT259 - MT339 | String instruments |
MT339 - MT538 | Wind instruments |
MT539 - MT654 | Plucked instruments |
MT655 - MT722 | Percussion instruments |
MT820 - MT949 | Singing |
If you'd like a more detailed list of classifications, consult the Library of Congress Classification Outline (PDF).
Use our interlibrary loan (ILL) form to request resources from other libraries around the nation: