Collections

The AMRC houses the region's largest repository of archival music materials, with particular collection strengths in the music of Colorado and the American West, American popular song, swing-era, TV & radio, and the silent film era. The core collection was assembled by Sister Mary Dominic Ray at Dominican College in California in 1967, and was purchased by the University of Colorado in 1989. The AMRC collections are stored in the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries’ Archives in Norlin Library.

Please note: The American Music Research Center is pausing acquisitions as we engage in the search for our next Director of the American Music Research Center and our next Music and Recorded Sound Archivist. When acquisitions resume, all future collections will be considered if they fit within our current collection development policy. We look forward to resuming this important work in the near future.

If you are interested in accessing the materials, need copies, or would like to visit the archives, please e-mail the Rare and Distinctive Collections team at rad@colorado.edu. The AMRC collections are stored in the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries’ Archives in Norlin Library. The collections are available for researchers in the Archives Reading Room 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday by appointment only. We encourage researchers to contact rad@colorado.edu to make an appointment. For more information about the Special Collections & Archives Reading Room (including Reading Room policies and procedures), visit here.

Reopening Update

Starting August 1, 2022 The Special Collections & Archives Reading Room in Norlin Library (room E1B43) will be open by appointment only from 11- 4, Monday through Friday. Appointments can be made by emailing rad@colorado.edu. It is anticipated that starting October 3rd the Reading Room will also be open for walk-ins, but we will encourage appointments. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we navigate this unprecedented situation and make safe plans to reopen facilities.