Access Music

Accessing our Music Collection

The Library is digitising some of its most important music collections, making them accessible online, through the Library's website. Digital copies of individual music items can be accessed from a link in the catalogue record for the item. Integrated and cooperative access to Australian music resources and information, in multiple formats, is available through the MusicAustralia service, brought to you by the National Library of Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive, together with cultural organisations across the nation.

The ephemeral nature of printed and unpublished music scores and parts, their often unique or irreplaceable value and the fragile physical condition of some items means that their use and handling generally requires conditions that best ensure long-term survival and accessibility. These materials are therefore delivered to onsite users under supervision through the Petherick Reading Room.

Onsite users can listen to archival sound recordings in the Petherick Reading Room: a keyboard and computer with music notation software is also available to users. An upright piano is available for playing collection material: this can be booked through the Petherick staff.

Digital delivery of selected Library audio materials is in development.