Public library music provision, as a less traditional role for public libraries, has always caused contention: a vital source of cultural materials within the community though never confirmed to be a core part of library services by the Government. This article concerns itself with a detailed consideration of the decline of music services over the past decade, despite the support of the Library and Information Plan (LIP) for Music. A brief introductory section establishes the cultural importance of music along with the role that public libraries play in providing music resources and services to the communities they serve. The aims and objectives of the study are then presented, including investigation into the Music LIP, the decline in public library music provision and methods of marketing and promotion. The results of a postal survey sent to all 213 local authorities in the United Kingdom are analysed to assess the current levels of provision, methods of marketing and professional opinion concerning the decline. Finally, a discussion section summarizes and considers the information provided by the study and recommendations are made with the intention of halting the decline in public library music provision based on the evidence presented. (Contains 6 figures and 6 tables.)