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 scheme. 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.