As the double doors of the Music Building open, sound coming from musical instruments echoes throughout the hallways.

A sign at the end of the hallway reads, “Music Library, 126,” with a bold black arrow pointing to the right.

The Music Library serves all students, faculty and staff. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It exists as a specialized branch with many of the services offered by the Schauerman Library and Learning Resources Center.

Anne Palmer, 32, library media tech said EC is one of the few community colleges in the state that dedicates a library to music.

With eight computers and three study tables and some may consider the library small.

However, it possesses a collection of sheet music as well as equipment that may not be found in any library.

Palmer said that unlike the Schauerman Library, the music library provides textbooks, audio recordings and a collection of DVDs of operas, musicals, jazz, and ballet.

“We have a full-time Music Library along with more than two thousand CDs and sheet music,” Dane Teter, coordinator of the Applied Music Program said. “Our Music Library has an enormous amount of materials.”

The Music Library also provides rooms for music majors to practice.

“We offer practice rooms to play any instrument and to practice vocals,” Palmer said. “These rooms are provided for a limit of thirty minutes if there are other students waiting to use the rooms.”

Palmer said the practice rooms are equipped with a piano and a speaker that can connect to portable devices and CD players.

The Music Library also provides free music tutors who specialize in tutoring for specific instruments.

“As much as it is used by students of the Applied Music Program, it is available for all students on campus to use for free,” Palmer said. “We make sure there are tutors around for anyone who needs help.”

Some students who have gone to do research, study, or practice for music classes are stunned by the service offered in the Music Library.

“I was so shocked when I found out that I could download audio recordings and practice my voice here,” Masood Mokhils, 18, music major said.

Although the Music Library may offer much more music-related material to students compared to other colleges in the state, some think it still needs improvement.

“It is an amazing resource for music students,” Ivan Alcantar, 19, music major, said. “But I think it needs a selection of music.”

While there are some students who weren’t aware of the Music Library, those with a slight interest in music are given a possible opportunity to take advantage of the resource, Palmer said.

“I feel that a lot of those on campus do not realize what they have here at EC,” Palmer said. “Most schools don’t have Music Libraries at all.”