Music Librarians

Many librarians gain experience by taking a job as a library assistant. In this role, they can learn a lot from practical experience before advancing to positions with greater levels of responsibility. They may also gain initial experience in smaller libraries and then advance by transferring to a larger or more specialized library. Large libraries have more opportunities to earn promotions to higher positions (for example, to the supervision of a department), and experienced music librarians with the necessary qualifications may advance to positions in library administration, such as library director, who is at the head of a typical library organizational hierarchy. This professional sets library policies and plans and administers programs of library services, usually under the guidance of a governing body, such as a board of directors or board of trustees. Library directors have overall responsibility for the operation of a library system. A doctorate is desirable for reaching top administrative levels, as well as for landing a graduate library school faculty position.

Experienced music librarians, in particular those with strong administrative, computer, or planning backgrounds, may move into the area of information consulting. They use their expertise to advise libraries and other organizations on issues regarding information services. Other experienced librarians, especially those with computer experience, may also go into specialized areas of library work, becoming increasingly valuable to business and industry, as well as other fields.