We've got a Lot, but there's More ... (What's in a Library?)

We reckon the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's Whittaker Library has a great stock.  And remember our invisible resources, too - all the electronic books and journals, databases and streamed sound.  They don't live on shelves, but they're certainly no figment of our imagination!

It's all there on our library website, and there are links from Moodle and Mahara too.

But don't forget - if all that isn't enough, you can look at websites like COPAC to see what books are in all the UK university and national libraries.  If your tutor thinks it's essential for you to read a particular book or journal, or try a piece of music - whether it's just not in stock at the Whittaker Library, or is out of print so we can't get it - then come and ask about Inter Library Loans.

• Whittaker Library website - click HERE.
• COPAC website - click HERE.

Scottish undergraduates and taught Masters degree students can visit other university libraries in Scotland if they take their matriculation card with them.  You can't borrow, but you can consult for reference purposes.  (Scottish research students and staff have limited borrowing rights too; you need a SCONUL Access card to exercise these rights.)

The Orchestral or Choral Librarian's Best Friend

 ENCORE

 

Screenshot of Encore homepage. See link below.

http://www.iaml.info/iaml-uk-irl/projects/encore.html

If we need to borrow a set of orchestral or choral music, or if societies ask us to recommend a cheaper way than a commercial hire, then a good place to look is Encore.  

Encore is a union catalogue of choral and orchestral sets in libraries.  The precise loan arrangements can vary - some libraries will lend directly to choirs and orchestras for a fee, generally much less than a commercial hire.  Others require the arrangements to be made between libraries, on behalf of their patrons.

Not all libraries do lend to one another, but if you find a piece of music on Encore, then it is generally available to be borrowed so long as it's not already in use at the time you want it.

It's good for standard repertoire.  Obviously if something is only available through the publisher's hire library, then you won't find it cheap on Encore!

Other People's Library Catalogues

Searching for materials that your own library doesn't have in stock?  We can try to obtain it, either for permanent addition to our collection, or by temporary inter library loan from elsewhere.

If you have an enquiring mind, or a willingness to go and look elsewhere, then it's worth looking at other catalogues.

For students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, it's worth checking Glasgow Libraries (the public library service, including the Mitchell Library and all Branch Libraries), or other university libraries.

Copac.ac.uk is a good place to look, too. It searches all British University and national library catalogues. 

Or you could check the British Library's own catalogue.

Here is Karen's Diigo list of useful library websites.  (You know how she's a Diigo devotee!)

(Get your own Diigo account and save those useful links for searching anywhere, on any device ... http://www.diigo.com/index)