Henry Watson Music Library

The Henry Watson Music Library possesses a large number of vocal scores and sets of orchestral music which may be hired by performing societies. Societies meeting within the City boundaries may borrow at reduced rates. This service co-exists with the normal library lending service.

Orchestral Music

Details of orchestral sets are now available on the library catalogue.

Please note: orchestral sets are not reservable from the library catalogue. To book or reserve an orchestral, or choral, set please see below.

Choral Music

Details of choral sets are currently being input. The unrevised printed list (2002) is still available for download. For current availability, new additions etc. please contact us directly.

To check holdings elsewhere you may find it useful to look at Encore! the UK catalogue of sets of vocal and orchestral music in libraries. 

Booking

Bookings can be made in the following ways:

• By online form
• By email: henrywatsonmusiclibrary@manchester.gov.uk
• By post: Music Room at City Library, Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WD 
• Paper forms - these will only be available from the Music Library at City Library and if you are posting them please send them to: The Music Room, City Library (address as above)

We no longer accept bookings by Fax.

Please allow 8 days notice for us to supply your order.

Collection

During the refurbishment of Central Library, music sets are now available for collection from a temporary location: Universal Square, Devonshire Street North, Ardwick, Manchester, M12 6JH.

More about collecting music from Universal Square

Charges and Fines

April 2011

Charges		Manchester Groups	Non-Manchester Groups
Orchestral sets		£7.00 per 28 days	£14.00 per 28 days
Choral sets	Large vocal scores	£0.25 per score per 28 days	£0.50 per score per 28 days
	Small vocal scores	£0.12 per score per 28 days	£0.25 per score per 28 days
Fines		£ 0.50 per day on all overdue sets or incomplete sets on return

Please contact us as soon as possible concerning problems with missing parts or scores on 0161 234 1976 or at henrywatsonmusiclibrary@manchester.gov.uk

Payment

Please make payments at the Music Library at City Library prior to collection or as soon as possible after collection. Payments cannot be made at Universal Square.

Payment can be made in the following ways:

• By cheque (please make cheques payable to Manchester City Council)
• By post to the Music Library at City Library, address as above top right (cheque or postal orders)
• By cash
• By credit/debit cards either at the Music Library or via telephone on the 0161 234 1976 number only

Fines need to be paid at the Music Library in the same ways as above.

Failure to pay charges or fines will jeopardize further use of your groups library account until payment is made and your accounts are cleared.

Care of Sets

Our orchestral and choral music sets are used by many societies, to help us promote and prolong the use of our performance sets please take note of the following points:

• This set is loaned to an individual member of your society, they alone are responsible for it.  You must inform the music library if your representative changes
• It is the representatives responsibility to check the contents of the set at the time of issue and report any discrepancies to a member of staff immediately
• If markings are unavoidable they should be made lightly with a soft pencil and erased before returning the set
• Please do not stick extra labels on copies for numbering purposes
• All sets must be returned on time and in original condition
• Fines will be charged for overdue sets.  If you have any difficulties please contact the music library as soon as possible
• We require you to replace any copies which are lost or damaged on return
• Please be considerate as other societies may be waiting for your music set which they will expect to receive on time, complete and in good condition