Music Library Services
Birmingham Music Library is one of the largest in the UK, offering services related to all aspects of music to the citizens of Birmingham and beyond.
To help us prepare for the move to the Library of Birmingham in 2013 we have made further changes to our services. The Music Library is now closed on Monday and Tuesday. Why does the Music Library need to close for two days a week?
We will continue to provide a regular service on Wednesday10am - 6pm, Thursday 10am - 6pm, Friday 10am - 6pm and Saturday 9am - 5pm.
Please note these new opening times from 12 December 2011. Find out more about Phase 2 of the Central Library changes.
We are unable to serve archive stock from our store (although you can reserve loan material online). There will be a Performance Sets service in operation between 10am and 4pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There will be no service at any other time.
New in the Music Library
The Birmingham Music Collection
To celebrate and promote local talent, the Central Music Library is creating a collection of music by artists with a Birmingham connection. Individual artists, bands or groups are invited to make their CDs available in the library for people to listen to and borrow free of charge.
Find out more about the Birmingham Music Collection
Music Library
Birmingham Central Library
Chamberlain Square
Birmingham
B3 3HQ
Tel 0121 303 2482
Fax 0121 464 1177
E-mail music.library@birmingham.gov.uk
General Information
Hours | Map | Mission Statement
Collections
Books | Periodicals | Performance Sets | Printed Music | Recordings | Video and DVD | Contemporary music scores | Early music scores | Repertoire guides | Mike Storer collection | Suggestions Form
Music in Community Libraries
Compact discs in your local libraries
User Services
Catalogues | Charges | Inter-Library-Loan | Internet resources
Joining the Library | Keyboard facility | Laptops | Publications | Reference Services | Young Musician |
Music resources on the Web
Joining the Library
Personal Membership To obtain a library card you must provide one proof of name and current address,or if a student, proof of your home address and your Birmingham address. Details of acceptable proofs are available. If you already have a Birmingham library card but have changed address, you must inform us as soon as possible.
You can register online if you prefer. Please see the Joining the Library page.
Once you have a library card you are entitled to borrow:
- Up to 8 printed items (books or scores) for 28 days
- Up to 8 music recordings at 90p (60p concession) each for 14 days.
- Up to 5 DVDs can be borrowed at £1.50 for 7 days loan.
Items may be renewed up to three times, if they are not in demand. Reservations can be made at no charge, or if a notification is required, at 80p per item (40p concessions) although you should remember that no item can be recalled early. Please note that we offer an e-mail and text message notification service for reservations, so please tell us your e-mail address and mobile phone number.
To avoid inconveniencing other users you should return or renew items on time, otherwise fines will be charged.
Recordings
There is an extensive collection of CDs representing virtually all types of music.
Categories include:
- African Caribbean
- Asian
- Childrens music
- Classical music of all periods
- Folk
- Hong Kong Chinese
- Jazz and Blues
- Latin
- Musicals
- Rock & pop (including recent chart material)
- Vietnamese
- World music
- Associated Board
- Easy Listening
- Country
In addition, the music library still has a collection of vinyl LPs (these are not on view and are usually those which contain repertoire not otherwise available on CD).
Details of individual titles are available on the on-line catalogue
Books
The music library stocks books both for loan and for reference use. While the usual buying policy is to obtain a title for both lending and reference sections, there are occasions when only a reference copy is bought. You should note that usually only one lending copy of any particular title is stocked. There is a large stock of older books held behind the scenes in the stacks, which can be reserved if they are available for loan.
Printed Music
There is a very large collection of music scores with something for almost everyone, for both individuals and groups. Most of the music is on the open shelves, but many items are kept out of sight in the stacks. These can be reserved if they are available for loan. Associated Board publications are stocked, along with material for other examining boards. There is a loan collection of contemporary classical scores, which must be requested via reservations.
Details of individual titles are available on the online catalogue.
Other Services
Information Services
The Music Library will help with requests for information on any musical topic including:
- Contact names for performers, composers, publishers, and record companies Information on the availability of books, printed music and recordings
- Details of the musical output of composers, and musicians past and present.
The service is free.
Current information
There are notice boards in the music library which can be used to promote concerts and to contact other musicians. We also maintain files of instrumental tutors and local choirs and orchestras.
Internet resources
Internet access is available and computers should be booked in advance.
SearchMuze
A comprehensive source of information on music recordings distributed in the UK. Includes over 80,000 album cover scans and a DVD and VHS database.
Now available by library card login on computers outside libraries.
Oxford Music Online is available at all Birmingham Libraries, and in printed form at the Music Library. You can also access this on computers outside the library by library card login.
Access to the largest index of recorded music in the UK.Search for DVDs and VHS videos, plus, over 80,000 album cover images now included. We subscribe to this site to make it available to you on computers in Birmingham Libraries and you can now access it on other computers if you are a member of the library. Library card login - please choose Birmingham Libraries from the drop-down menu, then enter the first 14 characters of your library card number without a space and using a capital letter.
This is a collection of music available for online listening (but not downloading). It contains the complete Naxos and Marco Polo catalogues, plus selections from other labels - more than 170,000 tracks altogether. It's mainly classical but also includes jazz, world, folk and Chinese music.
While listening you can read notes on the works being played as well as biographical information on composers or artists. Search by composer, artist, period, year of composition, instrument or genre. New releases are added every month.
You can access it on some library computers (you may need to ask staff for headphones) and you can use it on computers outside the library, with your Birmingham Libraries card.
Keyboard facility
We have a keyboard available to use with headphones, so that you can play from our scores or try things out before deciding whether to borrow them.
Laptop Computers in the Music Library
We regret that it will no longer be possible to use laptop computers for any purpose within the Music Library. This decision has become necessary owing to repeated and persistent abuse of the music copyright laws within the Music Library. You are very welcome to use your laptop in any other area of the building (with an appropriate circuit breaker).
If you have any queries regarding this matter please address them to the Head of Music Services. For more details email music.library@birmingham.gov.uk or Tel: 0121 303 2482
Thank you for your co-operation.
Joining the Library in Birmingham for Adults
Suggestions for addition to Music Libraries stock