Library Policies

Items may be checked out by patrons with a valid FSU or Florida State University System card.

Please note that the following policy applies only to the Music Library, and not the University Libraries as a whole.

All FSU students, faculty, and staff have the right to recall items. Special Borrowers (including patrons from other state universities and community colleges) are not allowed to place recalls. A patron may request that a recall be placed on library material that is currently checked out to another user. A recall may be initiated through the online catalog by clicking the “Place a Hold” link next to the item listing. An item that is on the shelf cannot be recalled; no hold link will be available for materials that are on the shelf.

When an item is recalled, the person who has the material currently checked out is notified via email of the recall and the Effective Due Date. The original due date is adjusted to guarantee that all users have a minimum of one week to have the item and one week to return the item (for a minimum total of two weeks). If the item has been on loan for at least one week already, the patron will have only one week to return the item.

For all patrons, the Effective Due Date is the official due date regardless of the originally approved date. Overdue fines will begin to accrue at a rate of $1 per day if a recalled item is not returned by the time the Effective Due Date passes.

The patron who placed the recall is notified via email when the material has been returned and is ready to be picked up. Recalled books and scores are held behind the circulation desk for 10 days; media are held for 7 days. Materials not retrieved by the requester before the deadline will be reshelved.

Books, scores, audio and visual recordings, and other materials may be placed on reserve for a particular course. These items are generally only on reserve during the semester the course is offered. The Music Library does keep some items on permanent reserve.

All reserve materials are kept behind the circulation desk. To request items, please refer to the Reserves binder at the circulation desk (organized alphabetically by instructor’s name or in the Permanent Reserve listings of the binder).

Reserve items circulate for 2 hours, and may not leave the library without explicit permission from the instructor of the course. Only two reserve items may be checked out at a time.

Items which remain overdue past the specified billing date will be charged for the full replacement cost of the item plus any late/processing fees. Once billed, you will have 15 days to return or replace the overdue item. After this time no refunds for replacement cost will be distributed.

While we take into account normal wear and tear in the lives of items in our library collection, we seek to provide the best quality materials for all of our patrons and ask your assistance in protecting these items.

Items borrowed from Allen Music Library must be returned in the same condition in which they were loaned. Items returned with pencil, pen, or highlighter markings; dog-eared pages; water damage of any kind; unremoved tags or tape; or any other markings/damages not listed above are subject to a minimum fine of $10 per item up to the full cost of replacement of the material.

Patrons must use their FSU ID cards to gain entry to the Allen Music Library.

I’m a local musician/visiting artist/student at a local university or high school:

No problem! When you come to the library, call our circulation desk staff at 850-644-5028. Be prepared to present your credentials (for example, a student/faculty ID, a current business card, the name of your performing group) to gain entry.

I’m auditioning for the College of Music:

We will not require card access on audition days, as we know the occasional score emergency happens.

The Warren D. Allen Music Library Seminar Room (HMU 090M) is available for use as group study space (availability changes each semester depending on class schedule). Groups may sign up for one or two consecutive half-hour slots at the circulation desk. Each member of the group is required to read through the policies and procedures. One group member is responsible for making the reservation and for checking out the Seminar Room key for the duration of the reservation.

Policies and Procedures

• This room is available to groups of 3-10 students with preference given to students of the College of Music.
• All members’ names must appear on the group reservation form.
• At least three members of the group must be present to check out the key, one member is responsible for checking out the room key with a valid FSU ID.
• The Seminar Room door must remain unlocked at all times.
• The room key must be returned on time; keys that are not returned accrue overdue fines and fees like reserve items.
• No practicing allowed in this study space. Piano use permitted at a reasonable volume.
• Group members are responsible for keeping volume at a reasonable level, to avoid disrupting other patrons.
• Furniture must be returned to its original position following use of the room. The piano is not to be moved at any time.
• No food allowed. Drinks in closed containers are permitted.
• Tutoring or graduate office hours are not permitted in this space.
• Damage to room must be reported in the first five minutes of your time slot or you will be held responsible.
• The Allen Music Library is not responsible for lost or stolen personal property.
• The staff of the Allen Music Library reserves the right to limit frequency of visits to ensure equity of access to all students.
• The Allen Music Library reserves the right to revoke reservation privileges due to violation of any of these policies or procedures.
• The Allen Music Library reserves the right to change the availability of this room without notice.

Librarians are hard at work editing this policy. If you have any immediate questions, please email AMLRef@fsu.edu.

The Warren D. Allen Music Library (AML) is committed to collecting materials across many different musical styles, historical periods, and disciplines related to music and sound from many different communities. Just as musicians must critically and sensitively engage in the complex levels of music creation, so too must library professionals critically and sensitively organize and describe information for access. Therefore, cataloging and description practices are more of an art and do not always have clear-cut decisions.

Many of the items in our collections are reflective of the time period in which they were created, rather than the current beliefs and values of our institution. They may contain offensive or outdated language and imagery because of content relating to ability, gender, race, religion, sexuality, sexual orientation, and other categories. While some descriptions in our finding aids are written by staff, others reflect language that was used by the people and organizations that created the material. When we encounter problematic language that we believe a staff member created, we update it. Language that comes from the original archival material can provide information about the people who created it. In such cases, library staff members strive to provide additional context whenever possible.

Description is an iterative process and, although we strive to stay abreast of best practice, we have limited resources to address issues on a continual basis. If you find potentially problematic content or description, please report a concern here: Report problematic content or description form

The Warren D. Allen Music Library’s Special Collections is a valuable resource for the Florida State University community, and especially for the FSU College of Music. Included are items of local interest, signed items, valuable and unique autograph-manuscripts, first edition copies of major treatises, piano rolls, Braille music, and items from as early as 1584.

The materials held in Special Collections are intended to be used. However, because of the nature of the materials, additional rules and regulations for use are necessary to preserve the collection for future users over the long term. This is especially true of materials which are particularly fragile, rare, or valuable. Thank you for helping us to preserve our collections!

The following rules and regulations will apply to all library patrons desiring to use Special Collections.

Special Collections Visitor Rules

• Materials in Special Collections are for in-library use only and do not circulate for any reason.
• Materials may be used only under the supervision of the Music Special Collections Librarians or the Head Librarian.
• Special Collections will be available for use during the hours of 9-4, Monday- Friday by appointment only.
• Patrons wishing to do extensive research in Special Collections should make an appointment at least 5 business days in advance with a Special Collections Librarian.
• The Music Special Collections Librarians or Head Librarian must retrieve all items removed from Special In the event none are present, Special Collections may not be accessed. Patrons are advised to plan ahead of time and make their request during standard business hours.
• Patrons will be required to present a valid photo ID.
• Patrons may not enter the Special Collections room.
• Use of materials is limited to the Special Collections research area.
• Patrons may only use one box at a time and should use provided out cards to keep their place.
• Library staff will search briefcases, book bags, satchels, and folders before a researcher leaves the premises.

Special Collections Handling Rules

• Food and drink (including gum) of any kind are strictly prohibited from the Special Collections research area.
• Patrons may use pencils when taking Pens are not permitted.
• Items may not be photocopied, photographed, scanned, or otherwise duplicated without express permission from the head librarian and the copyright holder as applicable.
• Folders and their contents should remain flat on the desk during use.
• Nothing should be placed on top of or underneath materials during use.
• Keep documents in the order you find them, and do not remove materials from If an item seems to be in the wrong folder or box, ask for assistance. Do not reorganize yourself.
• Handle material slowly and Turn pages by the edges and avoid touching areas with writing.
• Take extra care to navigate around fasteners and clips, leaving them in place.
• Ask for assistance with oversized or folded documents.
• If you need to consult a bound item from your archival box, ask for assistance.
• Patrons will be provided with gloves for photographs, negatives, and metal Plastic enclosures help protect photographs and other fragile items and should not be removed.
• Patrons should only use playback machines provided by Special Collections but are encouraged to bring their own headphones. Physical audio materials may not be copied to personal devices unless given express permission by a Special Collections Librarian.
• If a playback machine is not working (i.e. won’t power on, won’t eject item, etc.), ask for assistance. Do not attempt to fix the problem on your own.
• Finally, if you have questions or concerns about the state of the collection, inform the Music Special Collections Librarians or Head Librarian.

Librarians are hard at work editing this policy. If you have any immediate questions, please email AMLSpec@fsu.edu.

The music library is grateful for the many donations, large and small, that we have received over the years which have helped expand our collection. If you are looking to donate materials for the general collection, please read on. If you are looking to donate materials for special collections, please email AMLSpec@fsu.edu.

Depending on the donated items and the library’s current holdings and needs, items may be added to the collection, offered to other libraries, or disposed of. At this time we are not accepting donations of vinyl records and may only accept other older media formats on an individual basis.

If you have a small number of items to donate (2 small boxes or less), you may bring them to the library during regular hours. You will be asked to complete a donation form though you may donate the items anonymously if you so desire.

If you have a large donation (greater than 2 small boxes), please contact Elizabeth Uchimura, Music Librarian (euchimura@fsu.edu or (850) 644-7064) to discuss arrangements.

The Music Library cannot provide appraisals of potential gifts, though you will receive a gift receipt letter with a brief description of your donation. Please contact your tax professional for an accurate estimation of your donation’s value.

To financially support the Music Library, donate through the FSU Foundation and select Warren D. Allen Music Library Fund (F07890).