Finding items at the Conservatorium Library

The Conservatorium Library classification system

The Conservatorium Library uses the Wynn classification system to categorise and label music resources to make them searchable. This means that different resources such as CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, music scores, and monographs can be found easily.

The Wynn classification system was created by Mary Wynn and uses a combination of letters and numbers to identify instrumentation, genre and composer. You can usually find the Wynn classification call number on a music item’s spine and in the item record on the library website.

Searching for items

Scores 

Access a guide to the Wynn classification system here.

1. Identify a music score you would like to view or borrow. For example, “Pompes funebres for string quartet” by composer Liza Lim. 
2. Visit the Searching support page to find more information on how to search for scores online. 
3. Alternatively, ask Conservatorium Library staff to help you locate the item’s call number and location.
   
4. From the Wynn classification system, we can see that “R” refers to “Chamber Music Strings”, and “R9” refers to “Quartets for 2 violins, viola, and cello or other string quartet combination”.
5. In the Conservatorium Library, use the call number to go to the “R” section for “Chamber Music Strings”, then find “R9” and continue alphabetically until you find “LIM”. 
6. “R9 LIM 1” will be the first item under “R9 LIM”. 
    

CDs

CD classification at the Conservatorium Library uses the Wynn system with some additional descriptions. Access a guide to the CD classification system here.

1. Identify a CD you would like to view or borrow. For example, “Little girl blue” by composer Nina Simone. 
2. Use the Library catalogue to find the CD online. 
3. Take note of the call number for the item. In this instance: “CD20A SIM 9”. Alternatively, ask Conservatorium Library staff to help you locate the item’s call number and location.
4. From the CD classification system, we can see that “CD20A” refers to “Jazz and blues”.
5. In the Conservatorium Library, use the call number to go to the “CD20A” section for “Jazz and blues” and continue alphabetically until you find “SIM”. 
6. “CD20A SIM 9” will be the ninth item under “CD20A SIM”.

Finding items

Items are shelved in several areas on Level 2 of the Conservatorium Library.  
Items that aren’t books start with a prefix. These include: 

• CD for audio discs
• P for periodicals
• A-Y for music scores 
• Z and C for music scores that can only be requested from Library staff and used in the Library 
• F followed by (A-Z) for large format music scores
• N for reference materials 
• VR for video cassettes and DVDs. 

If you can’t locate an item, ask Library staff at the information desk for help.