Introduction to Music Librarianship

Module Identifier: DSM1910
Module Title: Introduction to Music Librarianship
Academic Year: 2025/2026
Semester: Distance Learning
Co-ordinator: Dr Julie Mathias
Reading List: View on Aspire
Other Staff: Jennie Hill; Ms Tanya Rogers; Dr Julie Mathias; Dr Geoff Thomason; Dr Sue Lithgow; Dr Anoush Simon

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Written Report: containing recommendations for improving the music library service or music provision in a particular library or local area. 1250 Words	50%
Semester Assessment	Essay: - Students will be given a choice of three relevant essay topics to choose from. 1250 Words	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Essay: - Students will be given a choice of three relevant essay topics to choose from. 1250 Words	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Written Report: containing recommendations for improving the music library service or music provision in a particular library or local area. 1250 Words	50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Define the purpose and nature of music libraries and critically review current professional issues in music librarianship
Outline the processes of creating and distributing music and how these processes affect libraries
Assess the needs of particular user groups in the music library
Make effective use of music catalogues and indexes to find relevant information about music
Discuss the management, marketing, training, and recruitment issues relevant to music libraries

Brief description

This module is designed to provide an in-depth guide to the management of music services in a library setting. It aims to instill an understanding of music libraries and their functions.

Aims

The course aims to give you an understanding of the various aspects of music library management, including storage, binding, shelving and display, security, maintaining equipment and income generation. You will be able to evaluate the need for specialist staff and the levels of training required of others working with music, and how to ensure that library users’ requests are understood and met satisfactorily. Finally, despite its differences, you will be able to consider methods of integrating music into mainstream collections. With these insights, among many others you will learn on this course, you will develop the skills and knowledge that will enable you to operate effectively within a music library.

Content

The module will cover the acquisition (unit 4), bibliography, cataloguing and classification (unit 3), circulation and other aspects of music library work (unit 5), and will examine the particular nature of music services within academic, public and special libraries including Music Information Centres and music publishers? hire libraries (unit 1). It will pay particular attention to the management of music collections (unit 5), since music library work requires special training in such areas as, for example, cataloguing and conservation (unit 2, unit 3), and in catering for a wide variety of different user groups (unit 4).
Unit 1: Music Libraries: the whys and wherefores
Unit 2: The nature of the product
Unit 3: Information retrieval: an introduction
Unit 4: Supply and demand
Unit 5: Managing the music library: staff, stock, finance

Module skills

Skills type	Skills details
Creative Problem Solving	Exercises and content enable the student to develop the skills to clarify the needs of music library and music collection users, as well as to retrieve, manage and promote relevant music resources to meet those needs.
Critical and analytical thinking	Identification of reading and critical review of literature and applications for contribution to discussions and completion of assessment.
Digital capability	Identification and use of digital resources such as catalogues and databases. Overview of RDA and music classification systems.
Research skills	Required for successful completion of second assignment (in particular). Students will be given marks for evidence of good bibliographical searching and presentation, plus for their use of the materials they have discovered while researching the assignment.
Subject Specific Skills	Discover how libraries can access range of music sources, understand needs of performers and listeners, explore information retrieval problems and solutions related to music, exposure to music catalogues and indexes, consider management of music libraries, training, and marketing. Introduction to the wider professional field of music librarianship through IAML (UK & Irl).

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7