The Canadian Music Periodical Index (http://www.nlc‐bnc.ca/wapp/cmpi/index_e. htm) is a database containing 25,000 entries indexed from over 350 journals of articles on or about Canadian musical activity. A wide variety of publication types are indexed. The scope of coverage is from the nineteenth century to the present day.
This site aims for a high level of comprehensiveness. Articles indexed cover a wide variety of genres and styles and include articles in both English and French. The coverage from the nineteenth century to the present represents a highly comprehensive portrait of Canadian music history. A wide variety of subjects are covered, including musicology, music education at all levels, theory, performance, music appreciation and fan interest. This resource is produced by the Music Division of the National Library of Canada and is indexed by indexers of the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. The National Library of Canada has the largest collection of materials in the world of books on or about Canadian music, and the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada is the major book‐length encyclopedic reference work on Canadian music. The National Library and the Encyclopedia frequently collaborate on projects involving Canadian music.
One strange aspect about this index is that, although this is primarily an index covering Canadian musical activity, subjects that have nothing to do with Canadian music will occasionally be retrieved. For example, I found it strange that a database on music would have a subject heading for musicology with only 13 relevant references. These 13 hits, however, turned out to have nothing to do with Canadian musical history. The indexing therefore could be more consistent. The index should either be limited only to articles on Canadian musical history or expanded to include all articles written on music in Canadian journals or by Canadians.
The Web site has a simple, well‐organized, and easy to use design. The initial screen lets users choose between the English and French interfaces. Each screen provides the option to move to the other language. Other options provided from the front page include About CMPI, Searching Guide, Periodicals Titles List and Subject Headings List. The database itself is bilingual in English and French, although providing the option between the two languages may make it appear as if there are two separate databases, one in English and one in French, when there are not.
Graphics on this site are minimal and are largely limited to the front screen. Otherwise, graphics are limited to logos. There is no advertising of any kind on this site, and the pages usually download quickly. There was no waiting time even on my slow machine, and most information on this page can be accessed within four clicks. Most of the text is in black on a white background, making it very easy to read. Minor typographical errors that were found on the site were somewhat disconcerting, although factual details were consistent with other standard works on Canadian music. Unfortunately, this database is not kept up to date. When I first searched this database, the most current entries were from 1998. Since then the database has been updated to included entries through 1999.
The user interface is extremely easy to use. Links are generally well maintained and do not lead to dead ends. Boolean operators are not available, but the search software defaults to “AND”. Truncation is provided through the use of a pull‐down menu, and a separate drop‐down menu provides searching by fields. Users can also specify the number of records retrieved. Searching is only at the novice level, but this does not present a problem as the database searches quickly and at 25,000 records is not particularly large. No options for downloading are available other than those provided with standard browsers. The documentation consists of a search tips page, which, although it is not long, does cover all the search features on the site in a concise manner.
There is no print or electronic equivalent to the Canadian Music Periodical Index, save a card file maintained onsite by National Library staff on which this index is based. This database is essential to any library specializing in the study of Canadian music. Any student, researcher or faculty member interested in this subject will find this product beneficial and easy to use. This site is suitable for any academic library with an interest in Canadian music or Canadian studies. Recommended.
