The University of Richmond has had a music collection almost from the beginning: books about music are among those that survive from the original library of Richmond College.  But the roots of a separate music library can be traced to 1934.  In that year, the parents of Margaret James, a graduate of Westhampton College who died tragically young, donated their daughter’s piano, music scores, and recordings to the University.  These materials were housed in the “Margaret James Room” on the third floor of Keller Hall, where students gathered to perform recitals, hold club meetings, and listen to music.  Playing jazz on Margaret’s piano, however, was not allowed.

In the fall of 1955, a formal music library opened on the fourth floor of Keller Hall, under the direction of Hannah Lide Coker.  Miss Coker, a Westhampton College alumna, was a professor of music education, but she assumed all the duties of a librarian.