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There are several different libraries on WMU's campus—many containing more than just books, and one of them is tucked away in the Dalton Center. The Maybee Music & Dance Library was established in 1948 and named for the first head of the music program at Western. It was located in Maybee Music Hall from 1951 until Dalton Center opened in 1982. 

The School of Music will cross another major milestone in 2013, marking its 100-year anniversary. In 1913, Harper C. Maybee, for whom the library was named, came to WMU. Under his direction, the first Marching Band was formed, and choral singing became a dominant musical force at WMU. It was under Maybee’s direction that the School of Music began to take form as the exemplary institution it is known as today, and such institutions require an extensive collection of resources.

The library is just that—a valuable resource for students and faculty alike, containing a wide variety of materials to support study and research – books on music and dance, reference materials and audio and video recordings, to name a few.  For music, the collections emphasize the art (or “classical”) traditions of Western Europe and the United States, American jazz and music theatre, and music of non-European origin, primarily of Africa and Asia. Native American, folk, rock, and other popular genres are also represented. For dance, which was included in the library in 1982, coverage is primarily of ballet, modern, and jazz.

In addition, the library includes many 'gems,' such as sheet music from the late 1800's, Graduate research projects, primarily in music education, and an archive of select School of Music performances.

For more information on the Harper C. Maybee Music & Dance Library, please follow the link below.

WMICH.EDU — HARPER C. MAYBEE MUSIC & DANCE LIBRARY 

To learn more about the School of Music's 100th Anniversary, please follow the link below:

MyWMU.COM— SCHOOL OF MUSIC 100th ANNIVERSARY