September 16, 2020
Our scheduling platform is now up and running! If you would like to make an appointment to use the library, you can do so via SignUpGenius. Prior to visiting the library, please review the "Protocols for Visiting the Library" section below for important information.
September 4, 2020
Here is our most up-to-date information regarding library use for the fall semester:
Materials pickup is currently available on a limited schedule and will continue through the fall during library hours. Pickups will occur outside the doors of the SLPC. All registered library borrowers may use this service. See "Borrowing Materials” below for details.
In-person library use will be available by appointment only beginning Tuesday, September 8, including use of class reserve materials.Only currentstudents, faculty and staff participating in NEC's COVID testing program have the option to make appointments.
Starting on September 8, hours will be 10am-4pm Monday-Thursday (subject to change)
Scheduling library appointments
Individual study spaces and browsing will be scheduled through SignUpGenius. An announcement providing more details will be forthcoming.
Rooms will continue to be scheduled through MIDAS.
Face masks/coverings are requiredfollowing NEC policy.
Maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet between patrons/staff within the library.
Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the library.
Patrons will be expected to sanitize their hands before using library materials.
Patrons using library spaces will be required to sanitize surfaces before and after use.
Patrons who choose to wear gloves while handling materials must provide their own.
The NEC Facilities team will thoroughly clean the library daily.
Materials will have been quarantined for 96 hours before being checked out. Class reserve materials will not be included in this quarantine.
Borrowing during appointments, including class reserves, will occur at the service desk as usual.
Materials pickup is available on a limited schedule. All registered library borrowers may use this service.
Library staff will deliver checked-out materials just outside the doors of the SLPC. Currently, pickups are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 12:00-4:00pm. Starting September 8, hours will be Monday through Thursday 12:00-4:00 pm. To request materials for pickup, send an email to library@necmusic.edu.
Please include:
Your name
Your phone number
The barcode from your NEC ID
The call number, or the online catalog’s persistent link(s), of the item(s) you need
The day and time you’d like to come to NEC.
Renew materials in two ways:
Contact library@necmusic.edu
A book drop is located in the first-floor lobby of the SLPC, just past the security desk. When entering the building, please be sure to wear a mask and tell the security guard that you are returning library materials to the book drop.
New England Conservatory
Blumenthal Family Library, Circulation
290 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115-5018
Returns will be quarantined for 96 hours. Please do not attempt to disinfect materials!
E-books, electronic journals, Avalon, scanned reserve materials: use persistent links in online catalog.
Interlibrary loan is still available, but many libraries are not participating in the service. Please continue to make requests (email:InterLibrary Loan), and we will do our best to fulfill them.
To return Interlibrary Loan materials, use the same return methods stated above under "Returns."
Virtual bibliographic instruction sessions are available. Contact Richard Vallone to schedule a session.
Research assistance is available via email, phone, or Zoom. To ask for assistance or schedule an appointment:
Email: library@necmusic.edu
Phone: (617) 585-1251
In-person research appointments are currently limited to students, faculty and staff participating in NEC's COVID testing program.
Contact Maryalice Perrin-Mohr regarding archival reference questions and appointments.
Circulation, reserves and general questions: library@necmusic.edu
Reference and bibliographic instruction: Richard Vallone
To report problems with online resources: Hannah Spence
Book, score, and journal purchase requests:
Audio visual purchase requests: Jason Coleman
Interlibrary Loan: interlibraryloan@necmusic.edu
Archives and Special Collections: Maryalice Perrin-Mohr
Need library materials? Library staff will check them out and bring them to you just outside the doors of the SLPC. Pickups are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, noon – 4:00. To request materials, send an e-mail to library@necmusic.edu. Please include:
Your name
Your phone number
The barcode from your NEC ID
The call number, or the online catalog’s persistent link, of the item(s) you need
The day and time you’d like to come to NEC
The materials will have been quarantined already when given to you, and the librarian will be wearing a mask and gloves. When retrieving the materials, please wear your mask and show us your NEC ID.
The Blumenthal Family Library will be open in the fall semester, though some services may be modified to accommodate safe distancing. The library will offer expanded digital resources for the 2020-2021 academic year.
The Montrone and Prevost Rooms will be used for small classes during the fall semester, in keeping with safe distancing requirements outlined in the Health section on the Welcome Back page.
Our staff are always available for reference questions. Please send an email to: library@necmusic.edu.
Over the coming weeks, the library will be drafting a detailed service plan that follows Massachusetts state guidelines for health and safety. This plan will include a procedure for picking up library materials without borrowers needing to enter the library space.
A book drop has been placed in the lobby of the SLPC.When entering the building, please be sure to wear a mask and tell the security guard that you are returning library materials to the book drop.
The Blumenthal Family Library is closed until further notice. This includes all self-service technology such as printing, photocopying, scanning, etc. Library staff, however, are working remotely so please feel free to contact us using the library staff directory.
Contact Richard Vallone, Head of Public Services, Blumenthal Family Library, to schedule a one-on-one Zoom virtual research appointment, or to discuss any other library matter. Available Mondays through Fridays 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (EDT).
Due dates: all materials checked out this semester have been renewed and are now due September 11, the first week of classes of the Fall semester. The library will notify borrowers about the best way to return materials once the library re-opens.
We foresee no interruption in our databases and online products, which will remain available for registered borrowers. If you have difficulty accessing these products, please email library@necmusic.edu.
In addition, some publishers and cultural venues have kindly permitted free access during this work-from-home period. Included are eBooks, online journals, scores, information resources, teaching aids, streaming videos, and virtual tours.
Music Resources for Remote Access, Teaching, and Entertainment
To access many of our online resources, you first need to be registered to borrow materials from the library. If you are unable to log in to a resource, please send a message to library@necmusic.edu from your NEC email account, and include:
We will check the status of your account and register you if needed.
Questions regarding borrowing or research? Please email library@necmusic.edu.
Library updates and information will be announced on this website and our social media platforms:
For full details about NEC during this time, please see NEC's Resource Center.
Located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of NEC's Student Life and Performance Center, the Blumenthal Family Library holds one of the major music collections in the United States, including over 150,000 volumes of scores, sound and video recordings and books about music, as well as subscriptions to all of the major music journals and electronic music databases. In addition, the library archives and special collections boast a rich treasure of manuscripts, 1st editions, personal papers and recorded performances of many of the great composers and musicians who have taught and performed at NEC over the past 150 years.
Current members of the NEC community with a validated NEC ID may borrow materials from the library collections. Visitors from outside NEC are welcome to use print and audio/visual materials within the library itself. During the academic year, the library is open seven days a week and evenings from Sunday through Friday. Reference help is available during weekdays and is also available most evenings at the library's central desk.
