Marilyn Manson is sitting on a shelf next to Bach, and Sisqo is right below them. No, this isn't the prelude to Celebrity Deathmatch; it is just another day in the Music Library.
Although it sits smack in the middle of Grounds in Old Cabell Hall, thousands of students stroll by every day, oblivious to the fact that an amazing resource is right in front of them. There's good reason for this: While most people are generous by nature, wanting to help people and spread the wealth, the denizens of the Music Library are not so charitable. They are determined to keep YOU, the average student, from discovering what is possibly the best study site on grounds, as well as an amazing place for music lovers.
First-year College student Guanqiao Tong, who says he uses the Music Library every day, was hesitant to encourage people to visit the library for fear that building's peace and quiet would be lost.
What's so good about the music library? Straight-faced, Tong said, "there is absolutely nothing special about the music library."
He later grudgingly admitted that he considers the library to be "the most ideal place for studying," adding, "I use it for finding scores, studying, listening to music ... It's a great place for sleeping, too."
And therein lies the real reason that many are reluctant to sing the praises of their favorite study place on Grounds. They don't want more people to come, filling up the quiet nooks and peaceful crannies they now occupy.
Second-year College student Michael Galdo publicly acknowledges the library's existence.
"A lot of people don't know where it is ... I don't mind that. It keeps it quiet," Galdo said.
When asked to elaborate on what makes the Music Library so different from the other libraries, deadpanned, "It has music in it."
The Music Library as we now know it is a recent creation. Until the late '70s, music scores were kept in Alderman Library, while the Music Department held the audio recordings in 113 Old Cabell.
Around 1977, the Music Department chairman brought the scores to the lower levels of Old Cabell Hall to incorporate them into the Music Department's collection.
The Music Library slowly emerged, taking over the collected music around the same time. In 1981, the library was given the two floors of Old Cabell it now calls home.
Previously, this space had been home to a snack-bar called the Cave.
"Our music department had the distinction of being the only one in the country that smelled of chili dogs," said Prof. Walter Ross, who teaches Music Theory in the Music Department.
Thankfully, that changed as the music collection replaced the greasy spoon with music scores and study tables.
The only problem with the Music Library's current space is that it is rather difficult to find. There are small blue signs in Old Cabell directing the curious either down a dingy narrow stairwell or onto a seemingly faulty elevator to the library. But one gets the feeling they are trespassing or going the wrong way - until the doors open to a surprisingly attractive, well-lit space filled with music-related magazines, keyboards and a plethora of written music scores. Down a wide flight of stairs, you'll find cozy, quiet stacks, with nice tables, desks and the occasional computer.
Some music majors spend virtually every waking minute in the bowels of Old Cabell, rummaging through the stacks of the Music Library. The library, which has the largest collection of "monographs, scores, serials, sound recordings, videos and microforms" in Virginia, according to third-year College student Jimmy Lepp, has "an abundance of music for research ... There's not much that they can't find for you if you need it."
Although the Music Library has focused in the past on perfecting its collections of Western art music, jazz, and American Folk music, Pam Howie, public services assistant for the Music Library, points out "the department is expanding what [it is] teaching."
The library's collection will begin to reflect the new types of music being taught at the University.
Don't be fooled into thinking that only classical music buffs have a reason to be in the Music Library. Many of the people sleeping, ahem, "studying" in the stacks have no intention of being music majors. Some just want to find good music.
"I like to get CDs. I just get them, bring them back and get new ones," said second-year college student Brian Moss.
Others in the Music Library are new to it, and some discovered it purely by accident. First-year college student Matt Pipkin was visiting the library for the first time since starting at the University and freely admitted, "I don't know that much about it myself."
Others, like fourth-year College student Benjamin Levy, who is a music major, spend upwards of five hours a day in the library, doing research for papers, projects, etc. Levy, who is doing his thesis on music suppressed by Germany's Third Reich and is planning an international conference on the topic, stresses that one great thing about the Music Library is the kindness of the staff.
"The librarians are really helpful ... the head librarian worked a lot with me, helping me pinpoint where to find this music," he said. He also points out one of his other favorite features, the CD collection, saying that "you can request any CD in the world and they'll buy it, if they don't already have it."
While most of the people in the Music Library said it is the greatest place at the University to get work done, one third-year College student, Ilana Dickman, said she often encounters difficulties. Since so many of the people at the Music Library are music majors, and therefore regulars, she often gets sidetracked talking to friends.
"I come here probably every day or every other day. This semester I use it a lot for my classes. I come down to get my work done, but I [get distracted] because I know 90 percent of the people here," she jokingly complains while waving to a passer-by.
However, she points out that many people who should know about the library know next to nothing about it. "Even a lot of music majors don't know where it is, which is really sad. It's such a nice alternative to Alderman or Clemons"
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