The Washington herald., 1920-08-01
MUSIC BOOKS
GAINING FAVOR
Library Collection Steadily
Growing and Takes in
Wide Range.
MANY RARE VOLUMES
Classics Supplemented by
Newspaper Clipping
On Subject.

Under the direction of George F.
Bowerman. librarian of the Public
Library. and with the valuable as
slstance of Miss ]. n. Laskey, chief
or the catalogue division, a music
collection has been growing in size
Tor several years at the Public LIZ
oLary Of this city. Unfortunately II
has lacked a corresponding growth
IN circulation. This has been due In
a very large measure to a lack OF
publicity. Another factor which
initiates against a considerable use
of this division of the library is that
the library force is too limited to
meet even the present demands,
making it impossible to enlarge the
service and provide for the separate
hne arts department of which mu-
sic would form a distinctive feature.
Many Books Donated.
A considerable portion OF the col
lection was donated by Washington
musical organizations and indiVld-
uals. The late Richard Fl. Chapman
presented his fathers musical Ii
brary, consisting of T33 bound vol
umes and sheet music, among which
were many valuable orchestral
scores. Prof. Arthur MayO's cOllec-
tion Of nearly 800 bound volumes
and sheet music made a valuable
addition to the library's aCCessions'
as did Mrs. william d. Burbage' $
gift, which was presented in mem
ory of her husband Capt W d.
Burbage. A choice selection OF the
classics was donated by Miss Agnes
Won kurOwsky former member OF
the library starf Miss Won kurow
sky is now in Italy with the Ameri-
can Red Cross. The library has also
received from time to time from the
Library of Congress much material
by virtue of transfer under the
copyright law. In 1904 the Choral
Society Of Washington deposited its
entire collection of music for ref
erence and for the use of musicians
In 1910 the GEORGETOWN Orchestra
turned over its valuable collection
Of scores to the library. Many OF
the volumes in these collections
cannot be duplicated.
Books on Music History.
In addition to the numerous sift'
Of musical material received by tn
library. it is continually purchasing
new books on musical history ant
theory and music scores as they ar
pubIished. The musical resource
of the library comprise 2,5b5 Vol
ures exclusive Of many duplicates
This number embraces 32S books o
musical history and criticism: IL
treatises on esthetics and theory
500 biographies: 2I6 works on musi
cal instruments: 2i3 orchestra
scores. and 535 scores for the piano
The collection includes music 10
all the popular instruments. and 1t
pipe. carlton. chimes. trumpet an
other more or less familiar lnstru
ments- -
Vocal music is represented by lU
books on voice culture and singin
and nearly 800 volumes Of solos an
part songs. Among these are sc
iactions from the operas. folk song
college songs and children's song
In addition to the music depOsite
by the Washington Choral Societ
the sacred music in the library II
c1udes masses oratoriOs, sacre
cantatas and hymns.
To meet the constant demand II
1ibrettos the library has gather'
+orstbpr collection embraclr
praCticaIIy all Of the best know
operas.
Clippings from New York.
This is supple mented by clipping
taken from the New York Tim
after the first presentation at Z
NetropoIitan Opera House. The
are kent in the pamphlet file in Z
reference room. Encyclopedias a
dictionaries OF music are al
shelyed in the reference room. a
the following musical magaZin
may be consulted there: The EtuC
vontbIv Musical Record. Music Bl
Ietin Musical America. Music
Courier. Musical Quarterly I
Musician. and Violin World.
For the convenience of the pub
there is a special music catalog
comprising a section of the geneI
DubIic card catalogue There 6
aDnroximateIy 5000 cards in Il
rroup. 1t is located in the lobby
the left Of the information de-
The arrangement is by author. su
irct. and title when necessary.
plentiful sprinkling of guide car
calls attention to the more pror
nent subject headings listed a
saves time in consultation. I
seeker after information in any
the above mentioned musical acti
ties is sure Of courteous help fr
81. Hhrary assistants