on a living tradition. By the wise organization and use of such collec-
tions of local art, the popular music library can be saved from the
danger of losing touch with the local community.
A good reference library should, first and foremost, contain complete
masterpieces and great milestones in the history of music, side by side
with the basic textbooks, but it should also include first editions and first
publications of great historical interest, dedicated copies and facsimiles.
The collection of reviews, when accompanied by a good catalogue
of extracts, can be a mine of information for the scholar, the music
student and anyone trying to gain an idea of the various interpretations
of music in the course of history. A large collection of thousands of
newspaper cuttings can give an instructive picture of modern music
and of the interest taken in it; these might well be supplemented by a
collection of pictures, including engravings, portraits, reproductions
of instruments and illustrated descriptions of musical life.
This brief description of the various fields to be covered by a music
library suited to modern needs may give some notion of the many tasks
it has to fulfil. The main idea of its educational influence on the musical
training of the general public has been no more than touched upon. The
best opportunity of putting this idea fully into practice is to be found in
the lending aspect of the library’s work, by means of personal contacts
with the users of the library. Experience has shown that the books
lent are, to a large extent, used in the direct preparation of current
musical events. The temporary loan of documents is thus a necessary
adjunct to the practice of listening to music and so helps to deepen
musical appreciation.
The social and educational importance of music libraries can be seen
even more clearly in the practical collaboration they offer to those who
use them. Many musical associations have been able to organize events
only because they have been lent the necessary documents, particularly
during the last few years, owing to the ravages caused by the war. The
lending librarian, by the advice he gives, may have a not inconsiderable
influence on the content of programmes. Many representatives of
musical associations, choir leaders or conductors, singers or soloists
may thus be encouraged to perform some worth-while modern com-
position which is still little known or an older work which has been
undeservedly forgotten. Any popular music librarian worthy of the
name should keep in the front of his mind the need to help young
artists who are having a hard struggle to establish themselves, parti-
cularly local musicians. The organization of concerts at which con-
temporary works written by composers belonging to the region are
singke
(singke)
#1