Robinson Music Library Media Center

Finding Records (LPs), Cassettes, and Tapes in the Robinson Music Library

The Robinson Music Library has a large collection of long playing records (LPs), audiocassettes, and reel-to-reel tapes. The record (LP) collection consists mostly of commercial recordings of classical music. The audio cassette and tape (reel-to-reel) collections consist mostly of orchestra performances and faculty recitals at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Finding Aids:

There are several tools to help people locate recordings of specific pieces as well as recordings performed by specific artists or ensembles. Many LPs will be found in the online catalog; however, the most comprehensive tool to find records, cassettes and tapes is the card catalog that is located under the staircase in the media room.

CIM Programs:

The library has programs for each recording of a CIM performance in our collection. The programs, going back to 1979, are in chronological order and are kept in binders. Each program will have a corresponding TAPE or CASSETTE number on it. Note that these performances are also listed in the card catalog. These binders can be accessed at the Media Desk on the lower level..

The Card Catalog:

Most recordings contain more than one work.

• Two piano concertos by two different composers
• A collection of lieder by Wolff
• Piano recital by Murray Perahia featuring music by Liszt and Chopin.

Most people when searching for a recording are looking for a particular piece of music or performer. The card catalog lists every piece that is in the recording collection by composer, title, and performer.

The catalog will tell you on which record, cassette, or tape a given piece will be found. Each card in the composer/title section refers to a specific work or group of works. The card will list the composer and title of the work, performers’ names, and the location of the item on the shelf.

A card with a blue sleeve indicates that the item is in storage. Write down what the record is filed under. Then fill out a Request for Storage Item form. These can be found at the Media and Circulation desks.

Locations:

Cassettes & Tapes

The card catalog will list the CASSETTE or TAPE number for cassette and reel-to-reel recordings.

Records:

Each record is assigned a composer/title or title under which it is filed (alphabetically). This is indicated by references at the top of each card.

NO REFERENCE: At the top of the card you will find the composers and title for a specific work. If no other works are listed on the card, then that is the only work on the record and it is filed on the shelf under that work.

WITH REFERENCE: If you see the word "With," followed by a list of other works, you have a "With" reference. This shows you the other works on the record. The record is filed under the title that is listed at the top of the card.

FILED UNDER REFERENCE: If you see "Filed Under," followed by a title, the record is on the shelf under that "Filed Under" title. This title may take several forms. It may be a title for a specific work or groups of work.

Examples:

Dvorak, Antonin. Concerto, violoncello, op. 104, B minor.

Dowland, John. Vocal music. Selections.

SEE REFERENCE: A "See" reference will refer you to another card in the catalog where the item will be found. If, for example, you look up Dowland, John "All ye whom love or fortune," and the card says "SEE Dowland, John, "Songs or airs, Book 1, All ye whom love or fortune," then you need to look in the catalog under this second title. That card will direct you to the "Filed Under" reference.

Card Catalog — Performer Index.

The performer index is adjacent to the card catalog. You can look up recording that Robinson library has of a specific performer (on record, cassette or tape.). It will use the same references that the composer/title catalog uses.

Locations &Access:

Records:

The record collection is located in the listening lab area. Records are filed by author/title. A large part of the record collection is now in storage. These are accessible upon request (allow 24 hours for retrieval). Request forms are located at the Media and circulation desks.

Audiocassettes:

The audiocassette collection is located in several drawers behind the Media desk. The cassettes may be checked out (for in-library use) at the Media desk. Call numbers for audiocassettes will include the word CASSETTE followed by a number. E.g. CASSETTE 152

Tapes:

We use the word "tapes" to describe reel-to-reel tapes. As mentioned earlier, these are mostly of CIM performances. They are located on the top shelf the book/CD/LP cases in the listening lab and reference room. Media desk workers will retrieve tapes for those who would like to listen to them. Call numbers for reel-to-reel cassettes will include the word TAPE followed by a number. E.g. TAPE 1245