Music 220 -- Seminar in Research Methods and Bibliography -- Dr. Partow Hooshmandrad

The library uses the Library of Congress Classification system. Because books are organized by subject, you can use this system to browse the stacks and find books that are similar on the same shelf.

Below are some of the subclasses in the area of Music (M, ML, MT) that may help you as you browse the stacks. Please note that books about music (ML's and MT's) are located on the Library's Lower Level.  Music scores (class M) are located on the 3rd floor of the north wing.  Sound recordings are located on the 3rd floor of the north wing.  Their call numbers begin with the letters CD, L and ST.  For the complete Library of Congress Classification Schedule, click here.

M - Music Scores

ML -- Literature on Music

MT -- Musical Instruction and Study

How Call Numbers Work

Here is an example of a call number that you might find on a book:

ML

410

.M115

M3

2003

    

1. Books are shelved alphabetically by the first letter or letters (ML)

2. They are then arranged numerically by the number that comes after the letters (410)

3. Finally, books are shelved alphabetically by the next letter and then decimally by the following number (.M115 M3)

For more information about finding books using the Library of Congress classification system, check out this web page from CSU Northridge.

Bibliographies

A bibliography is a list of citations for books, journal articles and other resources compiled by an expert on a particular subject. They are a great starting point when you want to find out what research has already been done in a particular area.

Bibliographies can be found at the end of a journal or encyclopedia article. They are also sometimes published as entire books. These books are not shelved with the other books on the same subject but are instead shelved separately in the Z call numbers (Z1201-Z8999). You can locate published bibliographies by browsing the stacks in this area or by using the search box on the library's home page using your author or topic combined with the search term bibliography.

Need a book? Search the links below for the books we have at the Henry Madden Library and in libraries around the world.

Didn't find the book you were looking for in the Madden Library catalog? We can probably get it for you from another library.

CSU+

In OneSearch, you can use "CSU+ Books and Media" to search and request books from other libraries in the California State University system.

Interlibrary Loan

If you can't find the book in CSU+, or if you need journal articles or microforms that the Madden Library does not own, you can request them through Interlibrary Loan. The first time you use this system, you will need to fill out a form with your contact information.