The Music Library of Sweden (SMB) is the largest of its kind in the country. The collection consists of older prints and archives, as well as modern literature, music and periodicals. The music collection includes prints for all instruments and genres. It is a national resource and much in demand by users both locally and throughout the country.


SMB has an online catalogue, but this includes only 15 percent of the library’s 390 000 music prints. For the borrowers the majority of the prints are therefore not visible. However, these music prints are listed in two card catalogues and SMB wants to scan the systematic catalogue to make it available online. This would improve our service twofold: access to the complete collection and automation of the lending services.


The scanned computer files will be organised in a database reflecting the systematic (genre) catalogue. Every fifth record file will be indexed. Access to the catalogue will be through a web interface with the possibility for searches and alphabetical browsing for each genre. Reservations will go via a reservation basket to the lending desk where the loan will be attached to the record of the borrower.


The time needed to scan and index the systematic catalogue is estimated to one year. Indexing will continue after the project has come to an end. The aim is to recreate virtually both the systematic and alphabetic catalogue.