Welcome to the Music & Performing Arts Library (MPAL) at the University of Illinois!

There are many different libraries on campus - some with materials from across all disciplines, like the Main Library, and some with more specialized, discipline-specific collections. All are open to undergraduate and graduate students alike, and you should feel encouraged to explore them all throughout your time here!

The Music & Performing Arts Library is a specialized unit library that focuses on music, dance, and theatre materials.

MPAL supports a wide range of advanced programs in the School of Music, Department of Dance, and Department of Theatre, and collects widely in all three areas. MPAL’s reference collection is extensive, and the Library has current subscriptions to many electronic resources in music, dance, and theatre. Bringing together these three areas, the Library facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue between performers of all kinds.

This guide provides some tips and resources for international students (or other students!) who need a little extra help doing college-level research at the Music & Performing Arts Library. Organized into several main tabs (to the left), the guide pinpoints specific areas for which International students may find more guidance useful:

• Library Terms: This page provides a list of common terms related to research and the use of the Library, along with their definitions.
• Research at MPAL: This page introduces many of the resources the Library has available to help you navigate the research process, including books and instructional guides that can help you better understand how to improve your research methods and tips for navigating the library space and resources.
• Writing Resources: This page outlines some important tools for improving your writing skills, guides to academic writing for music, and a list of places on campus and online you can go for help with the writing process.
• Avoiding Plagiarism & Citation Resources: Citation can be the most difficult and unfamiliar part of putting together a research project. Under these pages, you'll find resources for deciding how, when, and why to cite your work.

If you have any questions about research or using the Library, you can get help in-person at the service desk or remotely via chat or email. You can also use the buttons bellow to schedule an appointment or research consultation with one of MPAL's librarians to meet one-on-one and discuss your research.