The personal collection of sheet music accumulated through the adult lifetime of Lois Sims (d.2006), scores cataloger for the Ohio State University Music/Dance Library, and violinist in the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra (antecedent of the current Columbus Symphony) and other local performance groups. The collection consists primarily of American music for voice and piano published in sheet music format between 1880 and 1966. Often featuring distinctive cover art and lyrics with topical allusions, the items document styles, historic periods, popular culture, and trends in entertainment and publishing.