Careers That Don’t Suck Profile: Music Librarian

Job Title: Music Librarian

What is it?
A music librarian is a librarian that specializes in maintaining music collections.

What does a Music Librarian do?
Music librarians do essentially the same things as traditional librarians–organizing, cataloging, and maintaining collections; providing instruction in use of the library; answering reference inquiries; selecting music, books, journals, recordings, microforms, manuscripts and other rare materials for acquisition.

Music librarians also recommend means of preserving and housing of materials in their custody.

Depending on where they work, music librarians may plan exhibits and concerts, collaborate with other institutions in organizing lectures, classes, or other public programs, order or rent music for patrons, organize and maintain special collections and research and identify music for collectors, mail-order, online or retail clients.

Some music librarians also write reviews, teach classes and even put together exhibitions that include live performers.

Who might like this job?
People who love:

Music
People (You may spend time helping people find obscure recordings based on limited information, hosting public exhibitions or performances, working with collectors or dealers)
Solitude (lots of time spent alone cataloging, researching, preserving, etc)
The Details (music librarians must have a keen interest in organizing, researching, preserving music)

What does this pay?
Music librarians working for small, nonprofit or public employers earn between $40,000 and $50,000 (with a bachelors degree; masters will get you more), though they can earn as much as $122,000 in roles such as Director, Library Services at large universities (must hold a doctorate degree)

To break in you’ll need…
Librarians generally hold at least a bachelors degree in liberal arts, music or humanities. Music librarians who work for large universities, music associations, or other owners of large or rare collections generally require a Master’s degree in library or information science.

Additionally, music librarians may need a thorough knowledge of music history and repertory, ethnomusicology, anthropology, fine arts or dance. Some employers will require a Bachelor’s degree in one of these subjects, or even a second Master’s degree.

Finally, music librarians must have research and reference, collection development and organization, cataloging, library management, preservation techniques, information and audio technology systems management skills.

Review the Core Competencies and Music Librarians

Aspiring music librarians must meet the educational requirements, and seek out internships working with collections you admire.

So, whom would you work for?
Music librarians work for universities, private collectors, music associations (recording industry or Arts Associations), public libraries, radio and television stations, conservatories, bands, foundations and publishers.

To find current openings…

What about this career doesn’t suck?
I’ve always secretly loved the library. I spent hours upon hours there when I was a kid (the only kid that really was at the library all day). I still love the beautiful old libraries found at most universities and old cities like Boston and Philly. There’s just something about a quiet, cool beautiful old building filled with books, music, art and the people who love it.

This job scores high marks for the low stress environment, excellent work hours, good salary and benefits and Good Works Factor. There are very few drawbacks of this job, so it scored 98% on our WorkYourWay Index.

More Information?
Music Library Association
American Library Association

Still want more?