History and collections
When the Conservatory settled in 1988 on the former veterinary school's premises, the library naturally occupied the place previously occupied by the former veterinary school's library.
Established in 1980, the library was originally constituted from documents inherited from the Nadia Boulanger's legacy. Since then, the collections have grown considerably and the library now holds around 100,000 documents (scores, books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and scholarly journals available for loan (50,000 documents) and/or for on-site consultation.
The library's collection policy (acquisitions, subscriptions, online resources and donations) is to build and maintain collections of quality, in traditional and digital formats, through the selection and management of library resources required to support the CNSMDL's teaching and research programs in Music and Dance.
Performance Library
Its main mission is to provide the materials (scores and parts) necessary for the activities of the Conservatory's ensembles (choir and orchestra), within the framework of courses, examinations and the public season.
The Nadia Boulanger Collection
Composer, conductor and renowned pedagogue, Nadia Boulanger owned an outstanding study library which now constitutes the core of the National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Lyon's library.
Remarkable collections
Jean Martinon Collection
This collection features approximately 1500 scores and 80 orchestral score and parts from the French conductor Jean Martinon's working library.
Bethenod Collection
This collection features items published in the late eighteenth century : instrumental methods, operas, etc.
Mondon Collection
This collection comes from Émile Veyron Lacroix's music library, mainly consisting of the harp music repertoire from 1780 to 1850.
Xavier Darasse Collection
This collection brings together materials having belonged to French organist and composer Xavier Darasse.
Jane Bathori Collection
Collection of scores that have belonged to the French lyric singer Jane Bathori.
Roger Accart Collection
This collection gathers books, periodicals and scores which belonged to the Lyon patron and musical reviewer Roger Accart.