Sets from our own stock are loaned free, but there are charges for those borrowed from another library service. See Music score set charges for further details. Score sets held in Cambridge are not currently listed on our online catalogue but are listed in 'Music score sets' at the bottom of this page under 'Publications'.
Registering your society
Choirs or other music societies may register with Cambridgeshire Libraries in order to hire score sets.
To register your group please ask for a form in writing from:
The Music Assistant
Roger Ascham Library Site
Ascham Road
CAMBRIDGE
CB4 2BD
- Your group will be asked to nominate an individual who is a current library member to act as the single contact. This person will be asked to sign an undertaking to abide by all the conditions of hire.
Requests for score sets
A registered music society may telephone, write or visit the library in person to request score sets. The information we will need is:
- society details
- composer
- title
- edition (if relevant)
- quantity of scores required
- date scores are needed from (at least 6 weeks' notice required)
- date scores are needed until
Conditions of hire
Vocal score sets
Are loaned free from Cambridgeshire Libraries' own stock. If a set is not in our collection, we will try to obtain it, at a charge, from another library service.
Score sets are not currently listed on our online catalogue, but a listing is available in PDF at the bottom of this page under the heading 'Publications'.
Orchestral score sets
Are not held by the library, but we will try to obtain them, at a charge, from another library service.
Request notification
Staff need at least six weeks' notice before the date the set is required to be able to offer any guarantee that the set will be available on time.
Master copies
In sets belonging to Cambridgeshire Libraries there is one master copy for every 10 copies in the set. This is identified by a red sticker on the spine, and the due date for return is stamped on each master copy.
Receipt
A loan receipt is issued for each score set.
Loan Record
All sets are accompanied by a record sheet to allow the society to track loans to individual members.
Return dates
Can be agreed depending upon the dates of rehearsals, performances etc.
Renewals
Applications for renewal of hire should be made at least two weeks before the date sets are due for return.
Damage
All marks on scores should be erased before the copies are returned to the library. A charge for replacement costs may be made for copies which are returned heavily marked or in bad condition.
Missing copies
Any outstanding copies which have not been returned after four weeks must be replaced by the borrowing group or society with new copies within seven days.
Outstanding debts
Further score sets will not be loaned to groups or societies that owe outstanding copies or monies. Furthermore, we may not accept requests for music sets from groups and societies with a history of late return of sets or payment of overdue charges.