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Degrees

Music Librarianship Specialization

This program is intended primarily for students who do not wish to obtain a master's degree in music from Indiana University. (Candidates are advised that a master's degree in music, in addition to an MLS, is usually required for positions in music research libraries, especially at institutions offering advanced degrees in music.) The program combines the instructional and professional training resources of the School of Library and Information Science and the Music Library. Applicants are expected to hold at least a bachelor's degree in music from an accredited four-year collegiate institution. Admission into the specialization is a joint decision by SLIS and the Music Specialization Admissions Committee (IU music librarians). Students are encouraged to include a résumé, and reference letters from professors of their academic music subjects. It is possible to be admitted to the MLS degree program and not be accepted to the music specialization.

To obtain the specialization in music, the following courses must be successfully completed within the MLS degree program:

  • MUS M539 Music Bibliography (3 cr.)
  • S605 (L596) - Internship in Library and Information Science Internship in Library and Information Science (6 cr.)
    P: M539; P: S504. Two 3-cr. internships in one or two areas related to music librarianship (e.g., music cataloging, music collection development, music reference, music technology), approved by the coordinator of the Music Librarianship Specialization.
  • S655 (L631) - Music Librarianship Seminar in Music Librarianship (3 cr.)
    P or concurrent: M539, P: S504 or consent of instructor. Topics include music library administration, circulation and reserves, collection development, facilities and design, music cataloging, recording collections, reference, technology, and music printing and publishing.

There are limited openings in our highly competitive Music Librarianship Specialization program. Applications to the Music Specialization will be reviewed in March (for entrance in September) and September (for entrance in January). Even if you are not admitted to the specialization, there are opportunities at IU to enhance career possibilities in the humanities and in music-related jobs. SLIS students may take Music Bibliography M539 as one of their MLS or MIS electives. It is considered to be a cross-listed course.

Philip Ponella, Head of the Cook Music Library is the specialization director. David Lasocki, Head of Music Reference Services, Cook Music Library is the specialization coordinator - contact him with initial questions at: lasocki@indiana.edu

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