Getting Started at the Music Library: Fall 2017

Whether you’re new to campus or returning for another year, the Rita Benton Music Library is excited to welcome you!

Here are a handful of news, tips & tricks, and resources that can get your 2017 school year off to a great start.

Check it out, plug it in

little bits synth kit
Learn more about the Little Bits Synth Kit here >

The Music Library now has the following equipment available for circulation:

  • Audio Technica Headphones (quantity: 5)
  • Dell Optical Drives (for use with Mac or PC) (quantity: 2)
  • ZOOM H4N Digital Audio Recorders (quantity: 2)
  • Little Bits Synth Kits with MIDI bits and cables (quantity: 2)

All items are available for 2 hour checkout, in building use only.


Listen to School of Music Recordings Online

All School of Music faculty recitals and ensemble concerts are now available to stream online in the Iowa Digital Library from 2003-present. Access is limited to University personnel with a valid HawkID and password. Additional recordings will become available, as the Library will continue its efforts to preserve and digitize recordings pre-2003. Thanks to former Library Assistant Megan Small for her hard work on this project.

Listen now


Meet our new staff member, Christine Burke

​Christine Burke joined the staff of the Rita Benton Music Library as Library Assistant III on Friday, June 16.  She is responsible for course reserves, digital projects, supervising the library in the evenings, and some collections processing.

Christine recently graduated with a Master of Music Degree (Composition) from the University of Iowa, with additional studies in clarinet and organ. Recently, her music has been performed by the Chicago Civic Orchestra, JACK Quartet, UNK New Music Ensemble, and at various festivals and conferences throughout the country, with upcoming performances by the Talea Ensemble (Time Spans Festival 2017/Earle Brown Music Foundation’s International Summer Academy), The Living Earth Show, and Kamratōn Ensemble. ​


Take a look at some 2016 stats and highlights

See how many pages were scanned, items were circulated, and learn the top reasons patrons visit the Music Library.

Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall now available

Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall icon

The Berliner Philharmoniker’s Digital Concert Hall video streams classical music concerts, current and historic, to your PC. The mobile app is not included in our subscription.

This resource features the orchestra under the baton of famed conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, Claudio Abbado, and Herbert Karajan and also includes interviews with conductors & soloists and program notes.

The first time you use Digital Concert Hall you must register, then log in to subsequent sessions. Only five users can be logged in simultaneously, so please log out of the DCH after you are done using it.

Please send additional comments or questions to Katie Buehner.