Part of a network of libraries on campus and throughout the state, the University of South Carolina Music Library is currently a technical showplace. It is housed in the University Music building, a beautiful building completed in 1994. Located on Assembly Street in Columbia, South Carolina, the Music Building is attached to the Koger Center for the Performing Arts.
This location and facility
are a far cry from those of the initial music and music library buildings. Music
instruction at the University of South Carolina was formally introduced in 1924,
with the creation of a Department of Music. There were a total of six music
courses offered in the 1925-1926 school year.
The
Music School was initially housed in the Rutledge Building, above the Chapel,
moved to Lieber College, and finally moved to McMaster College in 1969. When
the Music School assumed complete occupancy of the McMaster Building, the University
of South Carolina Music Library was established. This was also the first year
that the USC School of Music earned full membership in the National Association
of Music Schools.
The budget for the Music Library for the years 1968 through 1972 was $10,000 per year. The library initially had under 2500 articles, including books, scores, and records. By 1980 the collection had grown to a total of 40,000 books, scores, and recordings. The current collection has over 40,000 books and scores, over 12,000 records, 3,000 compact discs, videos, digital video discs, and other multimedia resources.
In 1994, the School of Music and the Music
Library moved to the new facility on Assembly Street. The new library offers
advanced computer technology, video viewing, listening carrels, and access to
music related CD-ROMS.
Last updated October 22, 1999
This page created by Laura Haverkamp