Databases By Subject Matter

Music

An eclectic collection of music from Americans of diverse origins and all walks of life, from America’s past and present. The songs are by and about American Indians, miners, immigrants, slaves, children, pioneers, cowboys, and ordinary people. They touch topics as varied as Civil Rights, political campaigns, Prohibition, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, anti-war protests, and more. And the range of genres includes country, folk, bluegrass, Western, old time, American Indian, blues, gospel, shape note singing, doo-wop, Motown, R&B, soul, funk, and others. Free registration allows saving of playlists. (Includes the previously separate database, African American Song.) (Provided by Wauwatosa Public Library. You must be a resident of Wauwatosa to use from home.)

Classical Music Library

Fully searchable classical music resource—a comprehensive database of distinguished classical recordings. It includes tens of thousands of licensed recordings that users can listen to over the Internet. The audio selections are cross-referenced to a database of supplementary reference information. Free registration allows saving of playlists. (Provided by Wauwatosa Public Library. You must be a resident of Wauwatosa to use from home.)

Contemporary World Music

Takes listeners around the globe to experience the vibrancy, history, customs, politics, personalities, struggles, and joys of diverse peoples and cultures. The breadth of this collection is impressive, incorporating contemporary reggae, worldbeat, neo-traditional, world fusion, Balkanic jazz, African film, Bollywood, Arab swing and jazz, and other genres. Traditional music such as Indian classical, fado, flamenco, klezmer, zydeco, gospel, gagaku is also featured to round out the offerings and allow you to see the progression that music has made through the ages. Free registration allows saving of playlists. (Provided by Wauwatosa Public Library. You must be a resident of Wauwatosa to use from home.)

Music Online

Search all four of our music databases at once – American Song, Classical Music Library, Contemporary World Music, and Smithsonian Global Sound. (Provided by Wauwatosa Public Library. You must be a resident of Wauwatosa to use from home.)

Smithsonian Global Sound

A virtual encyclopedia of the world's musical and aural traditions. The collection provides educators, students, and interested listeners with an unprecedented variety of online resources that support the creation, continuity, and preservation of diverse musical forms. The database includes an extraordinary array of more than 35,000 individual tracks of music, spoken word, and natural and human-made sounds. Free registration allows saving of playlists. (Provided by Wauwatosa Public Library. You must be a resident of Wauwatosa to use from home.)

Soundzabound

Provides music and sound effects that are copyright compliant, content safe and royalty free for use in student projects and other school productions. For example, students may download and use these Mp3 audio files in podcasts, videos, digital storytelling or any type of multimedia production. The audio may also be used at assemblies, theater performances and other public performances, or as soundtracks to productions such as video yearbooks or sports videos. (Provided by BadgerLink.)

Need Help? Reference librarians at the Wauwatosa Public Library are available to help you find information during all hours the library is open. For reference assistance, ask at the Information Desk in person, send an email, or call the reference desk at 414-471-8485.

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