Collections
Musical Scores
The core of the collection consists of printed scores and manuscripts of organ music: individual works, anthologies, pedagogical materials, music for organ with other instruments, and facsimile editions. In addition to the standard repertoire for the instrument, the Library preserves many works by lesser-known composers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Over 35,000 pieces of music are currently searchable online through the Web Catalog according to multiple criteria. Since the Organ Library is a research library, materials do not circulate, nor are they available through Inter-Library Loan. Out-of-print material not protected by copyright can be photocopied and be mailed anywhere in the world. Photocopies of protected material can be made only with the written permission of the copyright holder. Inquiries and requests should be addressed to the Librarian at orglib@bu.edu.
Books and Periodicals
The Library’s extensive book and periodical collection emphasizes literature composed for the organ, composers who have made notable contributions to the repertoire, performance practice, and pedagogy. These are catalogued according to the Library of Congress system and accessible through Tinycat.
Archives
A unique resource of the Organ Library is its collection of archives that document the careers of notable American and European organists. The largest of these, documents the concert appearances and recording activities of E. Power Biggs. A few of the larger archives are listed elsewhere on this website. Most of our archival material is now on long-term loan to the Organ Historical Society, and can be accessed by contacting the archivist at the OHS, currently Anne Walkenhorst, at annew@organhistoricalsociety.org, or archives@organhistoricalsociety.org.
The OHS is in the process of producing finding aids for this archival material. See their web page for more information: https://organhistoricalsociety.org/archives/special-collections/
Recordings
The Organ Library owns the entire recorded legacy of E. Power Biggs: hundreds of reel-to-reel tapes that document the many series of recordings he made in Europe and America. Some of these have been digitized, and some await restoration and digitization. It is not possible to listen to them on-site.
The Organ Library now has fifty years of the Boston Chapter AGO radio broadcasts. These are in the process of being digitized and put on this website for listening. Many well-know local organs and organists are represented.