Its unequaled card-indexing (about 320,000 entries) and bibliographic activities favour the Conservatoire's training and scientific endeavors. The master reference card index covers articles dating from 1859 (in Russian) published in musical periodicals, almanacs, excerpts from monographs, teacher's guidebooks and similar sources related to music and musical theatre which are available in the collection as well as data on publications which the collection does not have.

In addition to the section , there is a large systematic section containing info on the history and theory of music, musical events in Russia and abroad, musical pedagogy and performing, other facets on musical activities.

Subject and specific card indexes (e.g., "History of the St.Petersburg - Leningrad Conservatoire", "Literature and Music", "Titles of Musical Performances. 1917-1990)", "Card Index of Citations by Famous Composers" and others) are of tremendous interest.

Most bibliographical entries are annotated.

The reference and bibliographical collection holds principal musical reference books, encyclopedias, state bibliography editions ( and others).

This department keeps copies of material and documents related to the history of the St.Petersburg Conservatoire, life and activities of Russian and foreign musicians. It prepares bibliographical indexes, lists, reviews, catalogues, and arranges subject exhibitions of documents and materials available in the collection, the Conservatoire's museum and archive, and personal exhibitions from private collections.