Note to the general public:
- This is an index to sheet music, NOT RECORDINGS.
- Only libraries can borrow copies of sheet music from the system reference centers.
The collections that are indexed in this database belong to California library system reference centers and are used to provide the libraries in their systems with copies of sheet music requested by their patrons. The reference centers will not loan copies of sheet music directly to the public. The public can borrow copies of songs through their local library. Reference centers will loan copies of songs to any library under the conditions that are stated at the "who to contact" page.
In addition to being an index to song books in the collections of these reference centers, it is also an index to song books in general. If this song index identifies a book as containing the song that you are looking for, you may not need to contact one of the reference centers to obtain a copy. A library in your area may also own a copy of that book. It is also possible for your local library to borrow a copy of that book, or sometimes a copy of particular song in that book, from another library through interlibrary loan.
About this song index
The California Library Systems Cooperative Song Index is a online searchable database that enables the user to search the contents of books, magazines, and other collections of sheet music for a particular song title. The records in this databases have been contributed by six reference centers and one public library. These are:
- North Bay Cooperative Library System
- San Joaquin Valley Library System
- 49-99 Library System Reference Center (now maintained by San Joaquin Valley
Library System)
- North State Cooperative Library System Reference Center
- Bay Area, Peninsula, Silicon Valley Library Systems Reference Center
- Black Gold Information Center (this collection and data is now maintained
by the Santa Barbara Public Library, 06/25/02)
- Fresno County Free Library
- Inland Library System
- Tulare County Library
The intended users of this song index are the staff of the public libraries belonging
to the library systems represented by the reference centers just mentioned. However,
library staff outside of this group can obtain copies of songs found in this database
in two ways. First, they can check the holdings of their libraries, or other libraries
whose collections they have access to, for one of the sources that contain the
song. If this fails, then the second way would be to request a copy from the reference
center who owns the item. More information about requesting items can be found
here.
Other Resources: There are many other resources on the web that will
help to track down the sheet music for a song. Links to some of these can be
found at this web page. If you know of others, let
us know and we will add them to the page.
Question or comments regarding the Song Index can be sent to
sjvis@sjvls.org.
Return to the Song Index.