Library Makes Space for Music/Musicians Dictionary

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury State University Music Department faculty and Blackwell Library staff recently cleared out 55 inches of shelf space to make way for the 2001 edition of New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians - roughly a foot less than the width of a Jeep Wrangler. 

Complete with scholarly articles from around the world, the 119-pound Grove, that totals roughly 24-million words, will help students research numerous subjects including traditional composers, non-Western composers and gender topics. 

“This is a set of books not just useful to music students, but also to students in other areas such as sociology, psychology and women’s studies,” said Kathryn Kalmanson, head of reference at Blackwell.

Grove has been the most recognized name in music reference since it began publication in 1878.  The 29- volume New Grove Dictionary recently was introduced into the reference section at Blackwell to replace the outdated 1980 edition. 

Kalmanson said the new edition goes beyond past issues by including non-Western musical styles and musicians.

About 5,700 scholars from more than 100 countries wrote articles on roughly 5,000 composers and other topics.

Dr. Linda Cockey of the Music Department arranged to pay a substantial portion of the cost from the department’s performing arts fund. The library covered the rest.

The new edition is the only one of its kind on the Lower Shore and is a valuable reference tool for students. 

For information visit the University’s Web site at www.salisbury.edu or call 410-543-6130.