January 6-10, 2020
This is what the front entrance of the outside of Sterling Memorial Library looks like & the view from the front steps looking out.
Once you enter, the Special Privileges Desk is directly in front of you on the right.
Here you will fill out a form for a Stacks Pass, good for one month to access books & scores.
You can also ask for the user name/ password, which changes daily, to access the Yale databases.
Across the hall from the Special Privileges Desk are Lenovo computers you can use with the username/password to access the Yale databases.
After you have used the computer, go left out the archway to the end of hall and make a right. On the right hand side, you'll see this archway/exit to an outside courtyard.
Turn left to go down the hallway leading to the entrance of the Music Library, which is down the hall, on the right.
Once you enter the Irving S. Gilmore Music Library, go forward past the computers. Around the corner, to the right, you'll find a stairway leading down to the lower level where the stacks are.
There are rows & rows of stacks on the lower level. The collection of books & scores is impressive! Even though you cannot check out a book or score, there is a book scanner next to the computers you saw as you entered. This is free to use! Just scan whatever you need, email it to yourself, and return the book or score to the music librarian.
This is the second floor of the Music Library. When you entered, go immediately to the right, through the doorway, and up the stairs. The Special Collections are located on the second floor.
To access Special Collections, make an appointment by emailing Dr. Richard Boursy: https://guides.library.yale.edu/MusicSpecialCollections.
I recommend doing this a couple weeks before your visit.
Ask Dr. Boursy how to create an account so that you can make requests for items held offsite. Before you arrive, you’ll need to register in Aeon: https://aeon-mssa.library.yale.edu/
It takes 2-3 days for items to be brought to the special collections reading room (you can see the room in this picture with the bust of Charles Ives). Items that are held offsite include Ives' original manuscripts, hand written & typed correspondence between Ives and various musicians or family members, & original programs from concerts.
Xerox copies, by Copyflo, of all Ives' original manuscripts are held within this room. Researchers are encouraged to look at the Copyflo copies first, to reduce handling of the original manuscripts. To see these copies, you also need an appointment. All of Ives' music manuscripts can be searched through the Descriptive Catalog of The Music of Charles Ives by James Sinclair:https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ivescatalogue/ Download the PDF of the online catalog. Updated in 2012, it has the most recent information.
All other items can be found using this database:
You've created your account on Aeon, you made your request, and you have your appointment. Once your box has arrived, you will receive an email notification.
You will go through the doorway in the picture above, to the right, ring the doorbell, and be buzzed in. Once you check in, place all your belongings in a locker, including water bottles.
You are allowed a laptop, pencil, & notebook inside the room. Only one box at a time can be viewed. Pictures of anything are allowed, but be sure to keep a detailed record what the picture is & the box's MSS# and folder # so that you can cite it correctly for your research. It is not an easy task to find these later. I recommend taking a break, getting water from your locker, going for a walk periodically, or eating lunch out. It is very easy to get absorbed in what you are doing and forget to take breaks. Have fun!