'Librarians aren't scary!' The UNL Music Library experience

If you go to the city campus of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, enter Westbrook Music Building, just south of the Husker Stadium, and find your way downstairs, in the basement southwest corner of the building, you’ll find the Music Library and Raymond H. Haggh Reading Room. Sitting quietly in the office, or smilingly and quietly offering assistance to patrons looking for resources, you can find Anita Breckbill.

Breckbill has worked at the Music Library since 1994, and besides answering reference questions, Breckbill gives bibliographic instruction, that is, she teaches people how to use the catalog and the library. She also does the purchasing of books, scores, CDs, and DVDs for the Music Library’s collection, and she does “lots of other stuff, including doing my own research, participating in committee work in the general library, participating in the work of national associations like the Music Library Association, etc.”

Her favorite aspect of working in the Music Library is the special collections. “The Ruth Etting Collection has amazing pictures and a complete sound collection of her recordings,” Breckbill said. “The Rokahr Family Archive is a rich, fascinating source for opera scores, books, and posters. You can read about our special collections on our web page. Follow the links to find online sound files, pictures, a display, and more.
But who can use the Music Library? Well, it’s open to the public, not just students. Breckbill says that the Music Library offers to students and the public a great “aesthetic experience! We’re the biggest (and best) music library in Nebraska, and Nebraska residents can check out books, scores, CDs, and DVDs.”

If you are ready to give the Music Library a try, Breckbill has this advice: “Librarians aren't scary. Really! Come and talk. Also, check out the University Libraries' website. You can find out specific things about music holdings by clicking on Subject and Course Guides on the left side of the page and choosing Music, or by clicking on E-Resources, and scrolling down to click on Music under the subject Arts and Humanities.”

Whenever you are wondering about a certain score, or you’d like to study a topic about music, read a recent journal or periodical, or listen to a certain recording, just head over to the UNL Libraries website and follow up with a stop at the Music Library.