The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's new Library and Archives opened its doors this week. Inside this most unusual of public reference libraries lie such treasures as Jerry Wexler's personal correspondence, music moguls' day planners, a CD and LP collection that music fans will love and, of course, music books galore.

All of this and more can be accessed for free by obtaining a library card at the facility, located in the new Tri-C Center for the Creative Arts (2809 Woodland Ave.). The library and archives are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

"This will be the leading research center for rock and roll in the world," says Andy Leach, Executive Director of the Rock Hall's Library and Archives. "It includes everything from library materials to archival materials that have been donated to the Rock Hall from the collections of people in the music industry."

Leach says the new facility will be used by academic researchers, the general public and students. The Rock Hall is also planning to create new educational programming at the library and archives, such as meet-the-author events.

The unveiling of the new facility allows vast truckloads of books, LPs, CDs and other materials to be moved from off-site storage facilities to a pleasant, sunlit reading room where viewers can browse and listen to their hearts' content.

So far, the library and archives contain about 5,500 items, yet there are tens of thousands of holdings yet to be catalogued. "I'd like to say we could kick back now, but most of the work is ahead of us," says Leach. "A library's work is never finished."

Although access is free, materials cannot be checked out. Also, patrons caught whistling or humming a bar from "Stairway to Heaven" will be heavily fined .

Source: Andy Leach
Writer: Lee Chilcote