Library Recommendations for the Preparation of
Music Projects in lieu of Thesis
We understand that the creative freedoms necessary to fully express many of the ideas inherent in Music
projects require wider parameters than the standard 8 ½ by 11 inch white paper, so these are
recommendations only. However, the Library cannot necessarily guarantee the long-term viability of the
binding of items that are completely outside the norm.
With that in mind, the Libraries would like to work with the School of Music and its graduate students to
produce the highest quality product possible and smooth the process of providing successful long-term
access to the information in these projects. Our recommendations are listed below.
Recommendations to facilitate Library Cataloging
1. Insure that both copies are exactly the same (pagination, text, layout, content, etc.)
2. Use a standard title page that indicates the following information: Title, Author, Year of
Publication, Name of Degree, and Faculty Advisor(s). This information is needed for the
catalog record.
Recommendations to facilitate quality library binding & preservation (in order of importance.)
1) To produce a commercial library binding that will stand up to the kinds of use circulating library
collections receive (Xerox machines, etc.), these documents MUST have at least a 1-inch
binding margin.
2) Projects should be submitted on acid free paper. Acid free paper is stocked at all reputable
copy centers, is not much more expensive than acidic paper and will last for hundreds of years
rather than degrading within 35 to 50 years.
3) Excluding the program, all pages in the document should be the same size. If adding a fold,
make sure that the folded edge does not come within an inch of the binding margin. If it is too
close, it can accidentally be bound in and will thus be inaccessible.
4) If possible, refrain from using overly heavy paper. Since some music projects will have a
portion of the text as a score, which are required to lay flat, the normal sewn leaf attachment
method for a regular thesis or dissertation is not an acceptable option. The leaf attachment
method used for Music projects will use adhesive rather than sewing. Thus, thick, shiny or clay
coated papers should be avoided if at all possible.
5) Accompanying media: Many projects include a media (Cassette tape, CD, VHS tape)
component. The long term accessibility of the information contained in these components is
heavily tied to the equipment needed for playback, as well as the physical stability of the media
itself. Please try to refrain from using audio cassettes and switch to CD’s. ( or whatever….)
Adopting as many as possible of these recommendations will help produce the highest quality
bound copies for long term accessibility via the UF Libraries.
Questions? Please contact:
Alan Asher, Music Librarian, 273-2805 aasher@ufl.edu