For week 10 of our Kansas sesquicentennial series we’re celebrating National Music In Our Schools Month—the theme this year is “Music Lasts A Lifetime”—by taking a closer look at our collection of Sheet Music.
Between our John Ripley collection of late 19th- and early 20th-century songs, jazz and wartime music, and our local music written by songwriters from Topeka and Kansas, there seems to be something for everyone. A popular collection with Interlibrary Loan and locals looking to find words for that evasive tune Grandma used to hum, our sheet music can be searched by title in the Library’s catalog and copied for personal use.
Of all the possible songs to perform from our John Ripley sheet music collection, we thought “Topeka” by H.W. Jones from the early 1900s would be fun. Featured vocalist is Charity Rouse, our Special Collections Public Service Specialist, and Rob Banks, Deputy Director of Operations at TSCPL.
About 52 for 150
Every object has a story, and stories build history. To celebrate 150 years of Kansas statehood we’re featuring 52 objects (or collections of related objects)—something new each week throughout the year—from the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library’s 130-year-old special, and permanent collections, that represent our collective state history and cultural diversity.
Our collections are available for teachers, students, researchers and general interest, and we hope this online video program will provide insight into what’s so “special” about Special Collections. Your library’s commitment to collecting art and preserving local history makes it possible for users today and in the future to have immediate access to invaluable research material and cultural artifacts.
If you’d like to see our Sheet Music collection, or get help finding other books related to this topic, call or stop by the Topeka Room (785-580-4510) on the Library’s second floor. We’re located at the top of the stairs on your left.