Read and study
Below you will find general information retrieval guides to help you get started, as well as guides specifically compiled for music information retrieval. The page also includes links to other tools for music-related searches.
General Information Retrieval Guides
You can begin familiarizing yourself with the principles of information retrieval by exploring the various general guides listed below. These guides include different search techniques that provide tools for finding electronic resources and using various search engines. When planning searches, don't forget the retrieval tools, which you can also find on this page. During the planning phase, it's also worth learning about mind maps and how to use them to support information retrieval.
- Metropolia University of Applied Sciences: Basics of Information Search
- University of Oulu: Systematic searching
- Uniarts Helsinki: Information seeking
In most guides, a red lock symbol indicates that the material is only available at that specific library. Although libraries often target their guides to their own users—such as students, teachers, or researchers—the guides usually also contain material of interest to any information seeker.
Music Information Retrieval Guides
Libraries at institutions that teach music have created their own guides specifically for music-related searches. Some of the sources or websites they include are freely available to everyone, while others may only be accessible within the library premises.
The following list of music information retrieval guides has been collected from various institutional library websites and may therefore include overlapping resources:
Helsinki University Library:
Uniarts Helsinki:
Library of Turku Conservatory and Institute of Music:
Additional written sources for information retrieval
