Blues Archive (University of Mississippi John Davis Williams Library)
The Blues Archive at the University of Mississippi acquires and conserves blues and blues-related materials in a variety of formats for scholars of the blues, African American studies, and southern culture. With over 50,000 sound recordings, in most audio formats; over 15,000 photographs; more than 350 videotapes; over 3,000 books, periodicals and newsletters; and numerous manuscripts and ephemera, the Blues Archive houses one of the largest collections of blues recordings, publications, and memorabilia in the world. Important collections include B. B. King's personal record collection, the Jim O'Neal and Amy van Singel / Living Blues Collection, the Trumpet Records Collection, the John Richbourg Collection, and the Percy Mayfield collection.
Templeton Sheet Music Collection (Mississippi State University Mitchell Library)
The sheet music collection of almost 22,000 pieces includes popular tunes dating as far back as 1865. Highlights include a rare copy of Scott Joplin's "Cascades" bearing his photograph, rare first editions of W.C. Handy's "Memphis Blues" and "St. Louis Blues," and scarce Confederate imprints from the Civil War. Special collections are devoted to ragtime, blues, movie tunes, foxtrots, popular music, show tunes, Irving Berlin, war songs and specialty.
In the spirit of Templeton's gift to the University, the Library has undertaken the digitization of the sheet music contained with the Templeton's gift. Since a large portion of these works were published prior to 1923, they are considered to be in the public domain. In 2000, the Library launched the Charles H. Templeton Sr. Sheet Music Collection and unveiled the project to the world. Since the project began, over 5,000 pieces of music have been scanned and made available on the Internet for scholars, musicologist and music lovers. The collection has received worldwide recognition for providing access to such a massive collection.