Sarasota Music Archive

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Sarasota Music Archive A non-profit archive with one of the largest collections of sheet music, vinyl records, piano rolls, cd's, and other music items in the region. to 3:00 p.m.

The Sarasota Music Archive is part of the Sarasota County Library System, and is connected to the Special Collections Department of the Selby Public Library. It is one of the leading reference collections in the field of music, containing an enviable cache of several hundred thousand recordings, tapes, sheet music, books, and memorabilia. Membership dues and private donations help to fund the archive. Originally established in 1980, the Archive was begun by a group of dedicated volunteers in a strip mall storefront. It soon grew large enough to move into its own building and eventually merged with the Selby Library in 2000. The collection encompasses classical, opera, jazz, popular, folk, and international music, as well as video recordings. Recordings may be in the form of Edison wax cylinders, one or two-sided shellac disks, long-playing vinyl records, cassette tapes, 8-track tapes or compact discs. There are several listening stations available where recordings can be perused. There are also special collections, such as the complete recordings of opera singer Enrico Caruso, the band music collection of Merle Evans, as well as thousands of hours of radio programs. More than 40 volunteers donate hundreds of hours per month to run the Sarasota Music Archive. They are music lovers from various backgrounds including scholars, accountants, doctors, and musicians. Volunteers are responsible for cataloging the material and creating and maintaining the computer databases. They also stock the shelves, do mailings, answer the phones, plan programs and events, and provide assistance to the public. Most of the recordings and sheet music have been donated. The Sarasota Music Archive raises money by selling donated materials that are not needed for the collection at very reasonable prices. The SMA is located on the second floor of the Selby Public Library at 1331 First Street in downtown Sarasota. It is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. Please note: the Archive is closed Fridays and Saturdays.

WISH LIST: CD and Vinyl Donations, Member Renewals Emailed Out, and New Volunteers! PLUS Our 2026/2027 Season of Program...
08/26/2026

WISH LIST: CD and Vinyl Donations, Member Renewals Emailed Out, and New Volunteers! PLUS Our 2026/2027 Season of Programs: The Best Yet. 16 Curated Performances and Multimedia Presentations -
www.sarasotamusicarchive.org

UPDATE: Membership Renewal By Email - Reminders Coming Soon -
05/11/2026

UPDATE: Membership Renewal By Email - Reminders Coming Soon -

NEW: EMAIL/ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALLook for your renewal reminder coming soon via email.Stamps are edging closer to $1.00 each + the cost of paper, ink, and envelopes. Help us save $$ by renewing online.OR:CLICK HERE TO RENEW NOW OR BECOME A NEW MEMBER**** please let us know if you have any issues....

Address

1331 First Street
Sarasota, FL
34236

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 2pm
Tuesday 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

(941) 861-1168

Website

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