About Beckwith Music Library

History

The Beckwith Music Library was founded by Professor Robert K. Beckwith in 1959 when funds for Collection Development & purchasing were developed. The Library was managed by Professor Beckwith until his death in 1989. A full-time librarian was hired in 1993 to manage the library. In 1994 the library was fully expanded, renovated and modernized, and in 1999 the miniature score collection was moved into room Gibson 107 to provide needed shelving space for the Music Library. Technology-friendly furniture was added to the reading room in 2007 to accommodate new listening equipment and to provide space for technology and group study.

Collections

The Music Library houses the scores and sound recordings, including printed music, CDs, LPs, and video recordings. Recently acquired new books about music & current music periodicals are also housed in the Music Library. The Hawthorne-Longfellow (Main) Library houses most of the books about music and bound volumes of periodicals. Sets of choral and band music are maintained by the music library staff and housed in separate areas in Gibson Hall. Reference copies of the choral sets can be found in the Music Library reading room. The music reference collection is divided between the Music Library and the Hawthorne-Longfellow Library. Please check Compass for the location of specific books and reference resources.

Loan Policy

The Music Library primarily serves students who major or minor in music or participate in musical ensembles. Anyone from the Bowdoin community is welcome to use the library reading room or collections. Bowdoin College Library loan periods

Electronic & Media Stations

There are four public computers with access to the library's catalog, resources, databases, indexes, Finale composition software, Office, and other related programs. Individual listening stations are equipped to play all available video and sound formats. A networked photocopier/printer/scanner is available in the reading room.

Reserves

Course reserves are located behind the circulation desk and may be checked out for at least two hours, most are in-house library use only and do not circulate out of the library overnight. Some reserves may also be available online. To locate a reserve list for a class, search Compass. Course reserves may include scores, books, tapes, CDs, LPs, or videos.