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Careers in the Music Industry

Librarian/Library Media Specialist

by Stuart Paterson

Snapshot

Career Cluster(s): Education & Training; Information Technology

Interests: Organization; Cataloging; Archiving; Research; Information

Earnings (Yearly Average): $60,820

Employment & Outlook: Faster Than Average Growth Expected

Overview

Sphere of Work

Librarians and library media specialists help people find information and conduct research for personal and professional use. Their job duties may change based on the type of setting they work in, such as public, school, or medical libraries. Music librarians are responsible for curating, organizing, and archiving information related to music in all its forms.

Work Environment

Librarians almost always work indoors and either interact with patrons or work in offices.

Occupation Interest

Librarians are highly organized individuals with an interest in preserving documents for the use of others, sometimes including valuable historical and cultural artifacts. This interest can translate into numerous jobs within the library field, as well as a multitude of specialties that appeal to individual librarians, music being just one.

A music librarian catalogs a vinyl record.

CIMusic_p0207_1.jpg

Photo via iStock.com/pidjoe/ [Used under license].

Profile

Working Conditions: Inside

Physical Strength: Medium Work

Education Needs: Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s Degree; Varies

Licensure/Certification: Varies

Interest Score: CSR

A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities

In small libraries, these workers are often responsible for many or all aspects of library operations. In large libraries, they usually focus on one aspect of the library, such as user services, technical services, or administrative services. Please see below for further details on the different types of librarians and library media specialists.

Occupation Specialties

Academic Librarian

Academic librarians assist students, faculty, and staff in postsecondary institutions. They help students research topics related to their coursework and teach students how to access information. They also assist faculty and staff in locating resources related to their research projects or studies. Some campuses have multiple libraries, and librarians may specialize in a particular subject.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Creating and using databases of library materials

  • Organizing library materials so they are easy to find

  • Helping library patrons to conduct research to evaluate search results and reference materials

  • Researching new books and materials by reading book reviews, publishers’ announcements, and catalogs

  • Maintaining existing collections and choosing new books, videos, and other materials for purchase

  • Planning programs for different audiences, such as story time for children

  • Teaching classes about information resources

  • Researching computers and other equipment for purchase, as needed

  • Training and supervising library technicians, assistants, other support staff, and volunteers

  • Preparing library budgets

Administrative Services Librarian

Administrative services librarians manage libraries, prepare budgets, and negotiate contracts for library materials and equipment. Some conduct public relations or fundraising activities for the library.

Public Librarian

Public librarians work in their communities to serve all members of the public. They help patrons find books to read for pleasure; conduct research for schoolwork, business, or personal interest; and learn how to access the library’s resources. Many public librarians plan programs for patrons, such as story time for children, book clubs, or educational activities.

School Librarian

School librarians, sometimes called school library media specialists, typically work in elementary, middle, and high school libraries. They teach students how to use library resources, including technology. They also help teachers develop lesson plans and find materials for classroom instruction.

Special Librarian

Special librarians work in settings other than school or public libraries. They are sometimes called information professionals. Businesses, museums, government agencies, and many other groups have their own libraries that use special librarians. The main purpose of these libraries and information centers is to serve the information needs of the organization that houses the library. Therefore, special librarians collect and organize materials focused on those subjects. Special librarians may need an additional degree in the subject in which they specialize. The following are examples of special librarians:

  • Corporate librarians assist employees of private businesses in conducting research and finding information. They work for a wide range of organizations, including insurance companies, consulting firms, and publishers.

  • Law librarians conduct research or help lawyers, judges, law clerks, and law students locate and analyze legal resources. They often work in law firms and law school libraries.

  • Medical librarians, also called health science librarians, help health professionals, patients, and researchers find health and science information. They may provide information about new clinical trials and medical treatments and procedures, teach medical students how to locate medical information, or answer consumers’ health questions.

  • Music librarians work in diverse settings such as major research libraries, schools, and orchestras. They are responsible for cataloging and maintaining the institution’s collection of music-related information and must have a broad knowledge of music throughout the ages.

Technical Services Librarian

Technical services librarians obtain, prepare, and organize print and electronic library materials. They arrange materials for patrons’ ease in finding information. They are also responsible for ordering new library materials and archiving to preserve older items.

User Services Librarian

User services librarians help patrons conduct research using both electronic and print resources. They teach patrons how to use library resources to find information on their own. This may include familiarizing patrons with catalogs of print materials, helping them access and search digital libraries, or educating them on internet search techniques. Some user services librarians work with a particular audience, such as children or young adults.

Work Environment

Immediate Physical Environment

Most librarians and library media specialists typically work on the floor with patrons, behind the circulation desk, or in offices. Some have private offices, but those in small libraries usually share work space with others.

Most librarians and library media specialists work full time, although part-time work is common. Public and academic librarians often work on weekends and evenings and may work holidays. School librarians and library media specialists usually have the same work and vacation schedules as teachers, including summers off. Special librarians, such as corporate librarians, typically work normal business hours but may need to work more than 40 hours per week to help meet deadlines.

Human Environment

Librarians may either have frequent interactions with others or conduct their jobs more solitarily. Some librarians serve patrons directly on the library floor, while others work in the back office. At the very least, librarians should expect to work with their colleagues daily, as well as researchers; and at most, they should expect to routinely field requests from the public.

Technological Environment

Librarians must be adept at industry-standard cataloging and database systems, and proficient at the system used at their particular library. Further, they must stay on top of industry developments. They may also be required to use other software programs such as photo-editing or website-building, depending on the nature of their job, so an overall comfort level with technology and computers is important. Equipment that was once common in libraries, such as microfiche, is no longer widely used, but may still be present in some settings.

Education, Training, and Advancement

High School/Secondary

High school students with an interest in becoming librarians should take courses such as English and history to improve communication skills and an understanding of language and culture. As a master’s degree is usually required to excel in the field, students should be academically minded and maintain high grades.

Suggested High School Subjects

  • Algebra

  • Biology

  • Calculus

  • Chemistry

  • Civics

  • Earth or Life or Physical Science

  • Economics

  • English

  • Geometry

  • History

  • Physics

  • Political Science

  • Psychology

  • Statistics

  • Trigonometry

Related Career Pathways/Majors

Education & Training Career Cluster

  • Professional Support Services Pathway

Information Technology Career Cluster

  • Information Support & Services Pathway

Transferable Skills and Abilities

Communication Skills

  • Explaining ideas and information in ways that patrons understand

Initiative

  • Continually updating their knowledge of new information, technology, and resources, to be effective at their jobs

Interpersonal Skills

  • Working both as part of a team and with the public or with researchers

Organizational Skills

  • Helping patrons research topics efficiently

  • Directing the logical use of resources, databases, and other materials

Problem-solving skills

  • Identifying a problem, determining where to find information to solve the problem, and drawing conclusions based on the information found

Reading skills

  • Being an excellent reader

  • Reading the latest literature in their field of specialization

Postsecondary

Librarians typically need a master’s degree in library science (MLS). Some colleges and universities have other names for their library science programs, such as Master of Information Studies or Master of Library and Information Studies. Students need a bachelor’s degree in any major to enter MLS or similar programs.

MLS programs usually take 1 to 2 years to complete. Coursework typically covers information such as learning different research methods and strategies, online reference systems, and internet search techniques. The American Library Association accredits master’s degree programs in library and information studies.

Requirements for public school librarians and library media specialists vary by state. Most states require an MLS or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education, often with a specialization related to library media.

Special librarians, such as those in a corporate, law, medical, or music library, usually supplement a master’s degree in library science with knowledge of their specialized field. Some employers require special librarians to have a master’s degree, a professional degree, or a PhD in that subject. For example, a law librarian may be required to have a law degree.

Related College Majors

  • Art History, Criticism, & Conservation

  • Database Management

  • Education

  • Information Science

  • Library & Archives Assisting

  • Musicology

Adult Job Seekers

As librarians must attain certain academic degrees, adults wishing to transition into the field should factor schooling into their career plan. Previous experience with databases, for example, will be an asset, as will intimate knowledge in a certain field such as music that can translate into the management of special collections.

Professional Certification and Licensure

Public school librarians and library media specialists typically need a teacher’s certification. Some states require school librarians to pass a standardized test, such as the PRAXIS II Library Media Specialist test. Contact your state department of education for details about requirements in your state.

Some states also require certification for librarians in public libraries. Contact your state’s licensing board for specific requirements.

Earnings and Advancement

Earnings of librarians and media collections specialists depend on experience, type of library work performed, and the institution at which they work. Median annual earnings for librarians and media collections specialists were $60,820 in May 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,810, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,460.

Librarians and media collections specialists may receive paid vacations, holidays, and sick days; life and health insurance; and retirement benefits. These are usually paid by the employer.

Employment and Outlook

Librarians and media collections specialists held 146,500 jobs in 2019. Employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.

Communities are increasingly turning to libraries for a variety of services and activities. Therefore, there will be a need for librarians to manage libraries and help patrons find information. Parents value the learning opportunities that libraries present for children because libraries have information and learning materials that children often cannot access from home. In addition, the availability of electronic information and media materials is expected to increase the demand for these workers in research and special libraries, where patrons may need help sorting through the large amount of digital information and collections materials.

About 13,800 openings for librarians and library media specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

A degree from an American Library Association accredited program and work experience may lead to job opportunities. Candidates who are able to adapt with the rapidly changing technology will have the best prospects.

Related Occupations

  • Adult Basic/Secondary Education/ESL Teacher

  • Archivist/Curator/Museum Worker

  • High School Teacher

  • Instructional Coordinator

  • Kindergarten/Elementary School Teacher

  • Library Technician/Assistant

  • Middle School Teacher

  • Postsecondary Teacher

More Information

American Association of Law Libraries (AALL)

105 West Adams Street, Suite 3300

Chicago, IL 60603

312.939.4764

www.aallnet.org

American Library Association (ALA)

225 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 1300

Chicago, Illinois 60601

800.545.2433

ala@ala.org

www.ala.org

Major Orchestra Librarians’ Association (MOLA)

1530 Locust Street

Philadelphia, PA 19102

admin@mola-inc.org

www.mola-inc.org

Medical Library Association (MLA)

225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 650

Chicago, IL 60606-1210

312.419.9094

websupport@mail.mlahq.org

www.mlanet.org

Music Library Association (MLA)

1600 Aspen Commons, Suite 100

Middleton, WI 53562

608.836.5825

mla@areditions.com

www.musiclibraryassoc.org

Special Libraries Association (SLA)

7918 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 300

McLean, Virginia 22102

703.647.4900

www.sla.org

Conversation With... MARCIA FARABEE

Principal Librarian

National Symphony Orchestra, Washington, DC (retired)

In the field, 37 years

What was your individual career path in terms of education/training, entry-level job, or other significant opportunity?

When I entered the professional music field, I had no idea there were music librarians! There is no academic route to this field; however, all training in music theory, history, orchestration, and performance plays a role in this career. I was always the person who passed out the music and collected it, even as far back as junior high. At my university, part of my scholarship included being the orchestra librarian. Fortunately, the orchestra director was keenly interested in how the music library was organized and maintained, and this provided me the opportunity to learn many skills. My career shift from playing professionally to being a professional librarian occurred when the librarian of the National Symphony Orchestra asked if I would help doing some bowings one summer. It was to have been for two weeks . . . the rest is history!

What are the most important skills and/or qualities for someone in your profession?

Knowledge of music theory, history, foreign musical terms, transpositions, performance practices, orchestration. Good hand manuscript, as well as knowledge of notation software, is a must, as is knowledge of the many types of music licensing. You must be able to work with many types of personalities and conflicting demands on your time. Organizational detail, as well as long-range planning, are truly important in this field.

What do you wish you had known going into this profession?

How much this position interacts with all facets of a professional musical organization, from the stagehands to the CEO. In addition, a few classes in business management, as well as personnel management would have been helpful.

Are there many job opportunities in your profession? In what specific areas?

There are many opportunities to volunteer in this profession, from church choirs and regional bands to professional performance organizations, academic settings, and military groups.

How do you see your profession changing in the next five years, how will technology shift, and what skills will be required?

The music licensing scene is changing weekly; keeping up with copyright laws will never end. Notation software, photoshop, and other software is constantly improving; demands to become more of a publisher and less of a hands-on music preparation person is the current trend.

What do you enjoy most about your job? What do you enjoy least about your job?

The constant variety of music genres and the complexities of preparing all types of music—it is never dull! The ability to work with an array of conductors, artists, and the onstage musicians, as well as the staff, is always energizing. I least enjoy data entry! Performance details are important, but the upkeep of all the related data takes away for the actual music preparation. Occasionally I would find myself wishing for a 9 to 5 job

Can you suggest a valuable “try this” for students considering a career in your profession?

MOLA, the professional performance librarians’ website, offers much information about this career (www.MOLA-inc.org). Volunteering to work alongside a professional librarian can be quite useful in determining whether this is the right career path for someone. If in college/university, taking some business classes in an arts management program would be useful. Lastly, every performance that you participate in becomes part of your education. You will rely on your experiences every day when working on the physical parts.

Citation Types

Type
Format
MLA 9th
Paterson, Stuart. "Librarian/Library Media Specialist." Careers in the Music Industry,Salem Press, 2021. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=CIMusic_0022.
APA 7th
Paterson, S. (2021). Librarian/Library Media Specialist. Careers in the Music Industry. Salem Press. online.salempress.com.
CMOS 17th
Paterson, Stuart. "Librarian/Library Media Specialist." Careers in the Music Industry. Hackensack: Salem Press, 2021. Accessed May 09, 2025. online.salempress.com.