Polley Music Library

Series produced by KZUM

Series image

The Polley Music Library Show discusses music books from a wide range of genres, along with playing music relevant to the artist, style or instrument being discussed. The program occasionally interviews musicians and authors as well.

Since 2019, The Polley Music Library in Lincoln, NE has produced this weekly half-hour radio program that focuses on music-related books, an area that has received very little consistent coverage, yet has a broad appeal to music fans and musicians alike. Covering a wide range of musical genres, artists, instruments and musical perspectives, the program makes listeners aware of music-related books they might find interesting, and connects talking about the books with playing music related to each book’s subject area to provide a full context. Most episodes start with 5-10 minutes of talking about a book or books, followed by music.

The Polley Music Library is the public music library of Lincoln City Libraries, Lincoln, Nebraska. The music library features a circulating collection of music books, printed music, and compact discs, along with digital collections, non-circulating reference materials, and music magazines. The Polley Music Library answers music-related questions, and provides other services, such as tours and programs. Polley Music Library is a service of Lincoln City Libraries funded by the Lillian Helms Polley Trust. Hide full description

Since 2019, The Polley Music Library in Lincoln, NE has produced this weekly half-hour radio program that focuses on music-related books, an area that has received very little consistent coverage, yet has a broad appeal to music fans and musicians alike. Covering a wide range of musical genres, artists, instruments and musical perspectives, the program makes listeners aware of music-related books they might find interesting, and connects talking about the books with playing music related to each book’s subject area to provide a full context. Most episodes start with 5-10 minutes of talking about a book or books, followed by music.The Polley Music Library is the public music library of Lincoln City Libraries, Lincoln, Nebraska. The music library features a circulating collection of music... Show full description


60 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about the book "Radio Art Zone," which is both a survey of what's happening in radio art, and part of a 100-artist radio...

Bought by Raven Radio


  • Added: Dec 09, 2023
  • Length: 28:29
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about the new book "High Bias: The Distorted History of the Cassette Tape," which explores the many ways that the humble...

Bought by Raven Radio


  • Added: Dec 02, 2023
  • Length: 28:12
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about ambient and pop music polymath Brian Eno's Diary, which was recently re-published in a special 25th anniversary ed...

  • Added: Nov 25, 2023
  • Length: 28:30
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about Cosey Fanni Tutti's new book Re-Sisters, which intertwines her own life and work with that of electronic music pio...

Bought by Raven Radio and RadioStPete Florida


  • Added: Nov 18, 2023
  • Length: 28:29
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about the book "Dissonant Landscapes," which explores how Icelandic musicians are often discussed in relationship to the...

  • Added: Nov 11, 2023
  • Length: 28:30
Piece image
On this episode, we discussed the book "Sound Actions," which reduces musical activity down to its most essential components so that we can re-conc...

Bought by Raven Radio


  • Added: Nov 06, 2023
  • Length: 28:27
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about "Beneath Missouri Skies," a biography of jazz guitarist Pat Metheny's early years growing up in Lee's Summit, Miss...

  • Added: Oct 28, 2023
  • Length: 28:31
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about the new book by veteran music journalist John Robb, which features a selection of artist profiles from throughout ...

  • Added: Oct 21, 2023
  • Length: 28:35
Piece image
On this episode of the Polley Music Library Show, we discussed a new book that delves into the discography of Aphex Twin, a pioneer in IDM and dril...

  • Added: Oct 14, 2023
  • Length: 27:47
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about the book "This is What It Sounds Like" by Dr. Susan Rogers, who has combined her backgrounds as an award-winning r...

  • Added: Oct 07, 2023
  • Length: 27:30
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about a couple of new books that help to celebrate Pink Floyd's iconic Dark Side of the Moon album as it turns 50 this y...

  • Added: Oct 02, 2023
  • Length: 28:06
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about a new book that serves as a companion to the Bach cello suites. Cellist Steven Isserlis has created a great book t...

  • Added: Oct 02, 2023
  • Length: 27:09
Piece image
On this episode of the Polley Music Library Show, we talked about a couple of recent books that explore the ways that the black metal genre has evo...

  • Added: Sep 16, 2023
  • Length: 27:19
Piece image
On this episode of the Polley Music Library show, we talked about the music of Beck, which is discussed song by song in a new book that you can bor...

Bought by Raven Radio


  • Added: Sep 09, 2023
  • Length: 28:42
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
On this episode of the Polley Music Library Show, we talked about composer and multi-instrumentalist Henry Threadgill's new autobiography "Easily S...

  • Added: Aug 26, 2023
  • Length: 28:30
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about a new book in the 33 1/3 series that documents the work of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, whose early efforts intro...

  • Added: Aug 19, 2023
  • Length: 28:30
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about "Switched On," the great new biography of Bob Moog that documents his life and work. We would have a very differen...

  • Added: Aug 12, 2023
  • Length: 28:30
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about "The Names of Minimalism," a new music history book that approaches the genre from the perspective of rivalries an...

  • Added: Aug 05, 2023
  • Length: 28:00
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about the music of Toby Driver, and his essay in the book Arcana Volume IV, which you can borrow from the library. Drive...

  • Added: Jul 29, 2023
  • Length: 28:19
Piece image
On this episode, we talked about the great new book "On Minimalism," a reassessment of this musical movement full of primary-source documents and r...

  • Added: Jul 22, 2023
  • Length: 28:27