Because music publishing and distribution are largely outside the network of publishers and vendors that libraries use to acquire most of their monographs, there are many inherent difficulties faced by librarians and library staff whose jobs include the acquisition of printed or recorded music. Because of the international nature of the music publishing industry, libraries must often acquire their music stock from many countries and in multiple languages. Fling offers a how-to guide that addresses these issues and provides answers on where and how to acquire these materials. Key features include: Publication and distribution avenues for both printed and recorded music, Directories of vendors that specialize in particular types of music, Techniques for ordering music and dealing with music approval plans, Sources and techniques for finding secondhand and out-of-print music, How to acquire dissertations and microfilm and photographic reproductions of early-music resource, an extended glossary of specialized English and foreign-language terms that appear on published music, publishers' catalogs, and music bibliographies A comprehensive bibliography lists print and Web music resources, including manuals and journals of music librarianship; music editing, publishing, and library acquisitions; directories of music libraries and information centers, record labels, and vendors; music-in-print sources; and national bibliographies of music. The bibliography also contains information on general library acquisitions.

Throughout recorded history the deaths of noble and heroic persons have inspired poets and musicians to create songs of lamentation. This unique bibliography simplifies access to approximately 2,150 such musical works composed between the late fourteenth century and the year 2000 to memorialize musicians. Arranged alphabetically by the name of the dedicatee, a typical entry includes the name, dates, and professional details of the musician being memorialized; name and dates of the composer; title, subtitle, and quote of the memorial dedication of the musical work; publication data; and additional descriptive notes when warranted to clarify the context of the work's creation. The bibliography is indexed by composer names as well as by birth and death dates of the dedicatees. A useful and unique resource for librarians, teachers, and musicians planning concerts, conferences, or exhibitions honoring musicians.