The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Library is a regional academic library for the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It was founded in 1779 as the ducal government library in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
The basis of the historical music holdings of the state library consists of the music collection of the Mecklenburg-Schwerin court chapel. This was transferred to the then Ducal Government Library in 1888 and 1890. The music collections were previously stored in a tower room of the palace and, until 1860, in Ludwigslust Palace.
The current holdings of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Library include around 73.000 pieces of sheet music (manuscripts and prints), 12.500 books and a collection of pictures and playbills (up to 1943). The library also owns four historical instruments, including a viola da gamba by Johann Josef Stadlmann.
The collection was also expanded in the 20th century, in particular through bequests and donations from Schwerin musicians. Popular salon music from the first half of the 20th century has also been preserved.These have not yet been catalogued in detail, but were initially only roughly arranged. The inventory amounts to approx. 25 linear metres.