Over a period of time, technologies change. The mass production of LP records as a primary source of listening music ended in the 1980s. LP’s are still produced but on a limited scale. Stereo record players are also becoming a thing of the past. Radio Shack will special order an LP record player, but they no longer carry them as a regular stock item, according to a company spokesman.
The Peoria Public Library began circulating CD’s in 1986. In 1992, it discontinued the purchase of LP records. Over the years it had built up an extensive LP collection of more than 20,000 recordings. By 1997 the circulation of CD’s had risen to more than 17,000 items, while LP circulation fell to less than 2,400.
In the winter of 1999-2000, the Peoria Public library applied for and was awarded a Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) grant for $3,000 to purchase titles of vintage music on CD. The grant provided access to titles from which access has been lost due to an inability of patrons to use LP’s and to provide patron awareness and education through a series of regularly changing exhibits pertaining to the collection.
The Art & Music staff had become increasingly aware that fewer and fewer patrons have access to LP turntables. During an evaluation of the LP collection, a running list was maintained of titles, performers, and composers that the evaluator felt should be strongly considered in a newly created vintage music collection. Additionally, community factors were taken into account in the selection of titles. For example, for many years the Peoria Public Library has made available recorded selections of works performed by the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. As the LP collection became less accessible, the ability to provide this service diminished.
Project Director Ann Phillips said, "I think one of the main reasons we received the grant was that community involvement was a key piece of the project. The Corn Stock Theatre and Peoria Pops Orchestra agreed to and have participated in displays. The Bradley University Chorus, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, the Central Illinois Jazz Society, the Peoria Municipal Band, and the River City Blues Society have all been involved in one way or another.
"By going the grant route rather than the using the CD annual budget allocation," Phillips said, "we were able to afford patrons requested titles almost immediately, rather than having to wait as the collection gradually is built up. Since the librarian ordering the CD’s through the grant had worked on the evaluation of the LP collection, she was immediately aware of the gaps in the CD collection.
"Awareness of enhance accessibility is a major element of that access. A program of patron education and awareness was necessary to alert patrons of these new sources of information. And, the monthly changes in the music displays went a long way in accomplishing this goal. The library role in providing the public with cultural materials has grown in importance as public funding for the arts has been dramatically reduced.
"I think," Phillips said, "a quote from one of the letters in support of the project from one of the community organizations involved, best sums up what we’re trying to do here, it says, in part, ‘ While not everyone can afford a ticket to a concert, anyone can borrow a CD from the library and hear the worlds best musicians.’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS GRANT, CONTACT: ELWANDA PHILLIPS, PEORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY, 107 NORTHEAST MONROE AVE., PEORIA, IL 61602-1070, 309-497-2147
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