I have a special connection with all of the different collections housed within the library, but here's a secret: I like all of them, I respect most of them, and I absolutely adore a few of them. One of those objects of my adoration is the library's music collection. We recently did a little rearranging to open up the area just inside the front entrance and to give the music collection a little room to breathe (not to mention make it easier to browse).
It's a tough era for CDs. I'll admit it. CD sales have plummeted every year for the last several years, and many people exist in a purely digital soundscape, or have gone the other direction and are rediscovering vinyl. CDs are not sexy. But they are still a great way to possess actual physical copies of music, and lend them to the public (although we do have a pretty spiffy digital music library as well - did you know?).
One of my greatest self-imposed challenges is to continually strive to fill the library with items that will surprise and delight our patrons. I love overhearing someone say, "Wow, what? No way!" when they stumble across something unexpected. I try to challenge people's ideas of what a library is and the types of materials/services that can be found there, and the CD collection is a sort of microcosm of that aspiration.
Dig deep and you'll find everything from country to rap, metal to jazz, rock to standup comedy to opera and classical. Old stuff. New stuff. The hottest hits of today and the classics that form the foundation for all modern popular music. Not all of it will be to everyone's tastes, but that's the beauty of a public library - it doesn't cost anything to try something new!
Spare a minute on your next visit to dig into our music collection - you may be surprised by what you find there!
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