Music Reading Room

The Music Reading Room is named after composer Alfrēds Kalniņš, honouring his memory and contribution to the development of the Central Sheet Music Library. Alfrēds Kalniņš headed this library from 1941 to 1942. 

The music collection consists of diverse literature on music and dance, as well as an extensive collection of sheet music:

• publications on the theory and history of music and dance, stage and sacred music, vocal and instrumental music, folklore, choreography, musical theatre, as well as music pedagogy, psychology and philosophy;
• compositions from various eras and genres, including sheet music and literature by the most prominent representatives of non-academic music – musicals, jazz, pop music and rock music.

The reading room has the following available:

• open access collection;
• a selection of the latest Latvian and foreign music periodicals;
• card catalogues, which contain information about sheet music and book editions that are not yet included in the library's electronic catalogue.

Exhibitions are regularly organised, highlighting the values ​​of the collection and informing about significant events in Latvian and world music life.

Sheet Music Archive: all digitised sheet music held by the National Library of Latvia.

Digitally Created Music Sheet Collection: digitally created sheet music received in accordance with the Legal Deposit Law, donated or created with the support of the State Cultural Capital Fund. 

The Riga City Theatre: materials related to the theatre's activities.

Song Festival Repository: materials related to the history and traditions of the General Latvian Song and Dance Festival from its beginnings to the present day.

Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival: photographs, programs, invitations, books, sheet music, posters, and other materials. 

• Two piano rooms (no reservations);
• Two computers with the Sibelius music notation program;
• Possibility to book thematic excursions for groups.