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Please note: As part of the refurbishment of Victoria Library, the Music Library will be closed from 14-21 April 2009 inclusive [more details of the refurbishment].
About us | Opening hours | How to find us | Loan of Orchestral Sets | GLASS Collection | Search the Library Catalogue | Music links from the Gateway to Websites | Contact us
Find that song!Looking for the music to a song and don’t know where to start? Westminster Music Library has launched a brand new service giving you access for the very first time to the contents of all our song albums.
Search for titles contained in hundreds of volumes of printed music anthologies. Whether it’s popular, jazz or folk songs, songs from musicals and films, classical songs and opera arias, the index covers them all, with information drawn from our collection of over 75,000 songs.
And when you’ve found what you’re looking for, do remember to contact Westminster Music Library to check whether a score is available before making a special journey.
The largest public music library in the south of the UK, Westminster Music Library has more than 17,000 books for reference and loan, and over 30,000 music scores and performance parts. We also have collections of vocal sets, and orchestral sets.
The library was founded in 1946 when the music critic Edwin Evans died, leaving his collection of thousands of books, letters, manuscripts and scores. Following his death, a committee of friends was set up to administer his collection, and deposited the materials with Westminster Libraries. The committee has supported the service ever since.
Musicians have a wealth of unparalleled material within their grasp once they join Westminster Libraries.
As well as books, you can borrow music scores and up to 24 pieces of sheet music. Music recordings are available on a pay-as-you-borrow basis or on annual subscription from all of Westminster's lending libraries.
At the music library, we hold over 30,000 music scores and performance parts, from plainsong to Stockhausen. We also have a collection of 1,000 vocal sets, 20,000 pieces of sheet music. 1,400 orchestral sets and 17,000 books about music for reference and loan.
The periodicals we hold range from JAMS to Rolling Stone. We have 450 titles in store and 100 are current subscriptions, with back issues for over 400 titles covering many aspects of music. Please check availability before your visit. See a list of periodicals here.
The music library did also previously hold a small but important collection of original manuscripts and letters. However, these have now been moved to the Westminster City Archives for temporary storage where they can be better conserved.
Go straight to the Orchestral Sets catalogue...
Orchestral sets may be borrowed from Westminster Music Library by any organisation based in the United Kingdom. An application form must be completed and signed by two officers of the organisation, each officer agreeing thereby to abide by the regulations for the loan of orchestral sets. Applications from organisations outside the UK will be considered.
In the case of an orchestra attached to an educational institution, or consisting entirely or mainly of students undergoing an educational course at an institution, the application form must include the signature of a member of staff of the institution, who undertakes to act as a guarantor for the orchestra.
Sets may be borrowed in person or by post for a period of up to six months and may be reserved up to twelve months in advance. (Orchestral sets are not available through the inter-library loan service.)
A charge is made per calendar month for each set borrowed according to the length of the work.
A copy of the full regulations and a list of charges can be obtained from the Library.
A copy of the application form and the hire regulations can be downloaded here. Please contact the library for a list of hire charges.
Go straight to the Orchestral Sets catalogue...
Although the Greater London Audio Specialisation Scheme (GLASS) is no longer in operation, Westminster Music Library has retained its collection of over 700 CDs of the music of Mozart.
These are available to borrow, but are not on display, so please ask and we can obtain the discs you are looking for. If we don't have what you want, we may be able to get it for you. To search for these, you can use the Library Catalogue.
As you will see from the access details below, Westminster Music Library is located on the first floor of Victoria Library. It is accessible via a staircase (30 steps), and there is no lift. If you find it difficult to access the Music Library due to a disability or for other reasons, we are able to offer a free postal service. Please telephone: (020) 7641 1300, or e-mail: musiclibrary@westminster.gov.uk for details.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 11.00am - 7.00pm |
| Tuesday | 11.00am - 7.00pm |
| Wednesday | 11.00am - 7.00pm |
| Thursday | 11.00am - 7.00pm |
| Friday | 11.00am - 7.00pm |
| Saturday | 10.00am - 5.00pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Address: Victoria Library, 160 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9UD
All enquiries: (020) 7641 1300
Renewals (24hrs): (020) 7641 1400
Minicom: (020) 7641 4879
Fax: (020) 7641 4281
Email: musiclibrary@westminster.gov.uk
Nearest Tube: Victoria
Buses: 11, 211, 239, C1, C10 or any bus to Victoria Station.
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The entrance to Victoria Library is suitable for wheelchairs, with level access and automatic doors (but see Music Library details below). The ground floor is level: adult fiction, reference, periodicals, some non-fiction, music recordings, videos and the children's library are situated here. |
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Westminster Music Library is on one level, but is only accessible by 30 steps. There is no lift. |
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Registered assistance dogs are welcome. |
