The Harold B. Lee Library contains approximately 70,000 vinyl records for students to peruse.
A year and a half ago, vinyl recording services were only available to BYU professors, according to Carter Glass, a library employee. Student access to vinyl has been restricted to special collections services.
However, students can now include records within the 50-item checkout limit in the library.
“I don’t think people necessarily know because they’re not kept on the floor on what we call piles. There’s a specific room we have to go out to and get it back,” Glass said.
While students cannot purchase and verify records themselves, they can inquire at HBLL’s help desk on the fourth floor or search online through the library’s website under “Audio”, using the “Music Recordings” filters.
After exiting, students can take advantage of the recording playback stations available in the library or use personal record players at home.
Glass also mentioned plans to redesign the music department on the fourth floor at HBLL to make record collections available for student browsing.
“They’re basically doing an overhaul of the whole thing, which will unify the music department,” Glass said.
Vinyl records stole the spotlight among many music listeners last year, selling more than CDs, according to Annalize Drews, a bookstore employee.
“I think they (vinyl records) are making a comeback. I think part of it is people love collecting them and the physical aspect. I think there’s definitely something for audiophiles as well,” said Drews.
Michael Luce, a former library employee, explained the appeal of vinyl records among some Millennial and Generation Z collectors.
“There is a certain sense of identity that comes from music. I think by having that music, it becomes a more tangible part of who you are,” Loss said.
Luce said he collects vinyl records because of their aesthetic appeal and the support they can give artists through record sales.
“It’s a great way to support the artists I listen to, especially if I’m listening to more modern music. I can go to the artist’s website and buy their music directly, it’s a great way to support them,” Luce said.
Glass and Drews encourage students to take advantage of record-keeping services, especially during the slower work weeks before the term starts.
