UNIVERSAL AVAILABILITY OF PUBLICATIONS AND MUSIC

Abstract

Universal Availability of Publications (UAP) presents special problems for music scores, which have received little attention to date in publications on the IFLA Programme. Some of these problems pose particular difficulties and are given general consideration: bibliographic peculiarities, format, publishing patterns and the international nature of the material involved. The nature of use is seen as being particularly important with factors such as a user's requirements for performance or study purposes, and the library's need to preserve or bind material, sometimes in conflict with UAP. A review of the current situation highlights a variety of national patterns of supply and provision presently in operation, few of which can be seen as adequate. General trends in music availability are discussed based on a number of recurrent themes arising from the national studies: developments in central and distributed methods of provision; perspectives on different categories of material; co‐operative against central acquisition; economic factors; new technology and the influence of publishers. General improvements in access and availability are dependent on those involved adopting a higher profile and recognizing all requirements of specialist materials.