LibGuides: Guide to Academic Use of Audio, Images, and Video: Audio

Can sound recordings be played in the classroom?

YES

The Copyright Law (Title 17, United States Code, Section 110) exception for classroom use allows instructors or students to use audio-visual materials in the course of face-to-face teaching activities in a nonprofit educational institution (in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction)

Can I access music online through the library?

Oxford Music Online This link opens in a new window
An encyclopedia, covering music, musicians, music-making, and music scholarship.
Music & Dance Online This link opens in a new window
Streaming audio and video, encyclopedia articles, non-scholarly articles, and primary sources. Materials include live performances, audio, instructional films, plays, posters and playbills, interviews, and choreography.
Please use VPN to access the database remotely.

Does the library have a collection of audio CDs?

The library has a collection of nearly 2,000 music CDs including Classical, Jazz, World, and Popular Music.

Search the Library Catalog (OneSearch) for music CDs in our collection.
To check-out CDs, write down the call number(s) and request the item(s) at the Circulation Desk (Library North, 1st floor)

To search for CDs, go to the OneSearch "Advanced Search" page

1) Enter a composer or performer name, words from the title of the work, etc. (For Example: Mozart AND Magic Flute)
2) Choose "Material Type" Audio CDs
3) Click on "Search"

I need sound effects for a project I'm working on. Does the library have any?

Pro Sound Effects Master Library This link opens in a new window
Search, browse, preview, listen to, and download professional sound effects and sound design elements.

BBC Sound Effects CD Library
This set includes the rights to use any track(s) for a theatrical production, audio/video project, etc. Students can check-out 3 CDs at a time.

Where else can I find sound effects & music that I can use without special permissions?

The following sites include many sound effects and music clips that are licensed under Creative Commons and thus do not require any additional copyright clearances to use.

Jamendo
Use the advanced search to limit to Creative Commons licensed materials.
ccMixter
An entire site of music licensed under Creative Commons.
Free Music Archive
Netlables on the Internet Archive
This collection hosts complete, freely downloadable/streamable, often Creative Commons-licensed catalogs of 'virtual record labels'.
freesound
Sound effects all licensed under Creative Commons.