This interview is over 1 year old and may no longer be up to date or reflect the interviewee/interviewees’ positions
by Dawn Thompson, Head Editor, INALJ Ohio
Peter Szabo …Music Librarian
Dawn: How did you find your job at the Music Librarian at Ohio Wesleyan University?Peter: The Music Library Association’s web site (http://www.musiclibraryassoc.
Dawn: Tell us a little bit more about what a Music Librarian does?
Peter: In my experience (Academic Librarianship) music librarians do a variety of things and often straddle both public and technical services, especially if a branch library is involved. Music librarians also teach and provide reference assistance. Teaching usually comes in the form of library instruction but can also involve music specific courses, like music appreciation or more advanced courses, especially if they have advanced degrees in music which many do. Music librarians engage in collection development for many different formats: print (books, scores), recordings (physical and electronically streamed), electronic resources (article, scores, recordings). Music librarians also often do cataloging which goes well with someone who has music expertise. Lastly, music librarians often research and publish in music and/or library science. Again, my description is in terms of academic music librarianship (which is what I do) but there are other types of music librarian positions – for Public libraries, Symphony orchestras, Radio stations, and more.
Peter: In my experience (Academic Librarianship) music librarians do a variety of things and often straddle both public and technical services, especially if a branch library is involved. Music librarians also teach and provide reference assistance. Teaching usually comes in the form of library instruction but can also involve music specific courses, like music appreciation or more advanced courses, especially if they have advanced degrees in music which many do. Music librarians engage in collection development for many different formats: print (books, scores), recordings (physical and electronically streamed), electronic resources (article, scores, recordings). Music librarians also often do cataloging which goes well with someone who has music expertise. Lastly, music librarians often research and publish in music and/or library science. Again, my description is in terms of academic music librarianship (which is what I do) but there are other types of music librarian positions – for Public libraries, Symphony orchestras, Radio stations, and more.
Dawn: Favorite library you have been to?
Peter: New York Public Library; Ohio State’s newly renovated main library; University of Kentucky’s main library; University at Buffalo’s Music Library
Peter: New York Public Library; Ohio State’s newly renovated main library; University of Kentucky’s main library; University at Buffalo’s Music Library
Dawn: Favorite book? Favorite musical recording?
Peter: I’ve got more favorite recordings than books – One of my favorit
es is the Brecker Brothers’ self entitled album. That’s some great funk. I also love the Chamber Orchestra of Europe’s recordings of the Beethoven symphonies. Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” is also on the top of my list – and probably most jazz enthusiasts.
Peter: I’ve got more favorite recordings than books – One of my favorit
es is the Brecker Brothers’ self entitled album. That’s some great funk. I also love the Chamber Orchestra of Europe’s recordings of the Beethoven symphonies. Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” is also on the top of my list – and probably most jazz enthusiasts.
Dawn: Any websites, blogs or feeds we should be following?
Peter: A blog that I find interesting (and useful) is “the scholarly kitchen” (http://scholarlykitchen.
Peter: A blog that I find interesting (and useful) is “the scholarly kitchen” (http://scholarlykitchen.
Dawn: Any job hunting advice?
Peter: Spend time on your cover letter and tailor it to the job that you’re applying for. I hear that cover letters are becoming a lost art – don’t let it happen to you! Also, it helps to monitor sites that include job postings – professional organizations that are either national or local. For example, as I mentioned earlier, the Music Library Association’s web site posts jobs related to music librarianship that open up all over the country. However, it’s also a good idea to keep an eye on more regional job lists. The state of Ohio has several. Lastly, be patient. It might take you a while to find the right fit.
Peter: Spend time on your cover letter and tailor it to the job that you’re applying for. I hear that cover letters are becoming a lost art – don’t let it happen to you! Also, it helps to monitor sites that include job postings – professional organizations that are either national or local. For example, as I mentioned earlier, the Music Library Association’s web site posts jobs related to music librarianship that open up all over the country. However, it’s also a good idea to keep an eye on more regional job lists. The state of Ohio has several. Lastly, be patient. It might take you a while to find the right fit.
Peter Szabo has been the Music Librarian at Ohio Wesleyan since 2003. He develops and maintains the Kinnison Music Library, provides reference assistance, and teaches information literacy sessions for music faculty members. In addition to his duties as the music librarian, Peter is also a part-time Public Services librarian at Ohio Wesleyan’s main library (Beeghly) where he holds office hours and is liaison to 4 other academic departments, including: Black World Studies, ‘Ancient, Medieval, & Renaissance Studies’, Philosophy, Religion, and Fine Arts. Peter earned his Master of Library Science degree from the University at Buffalo, and has two degrees in music (an M.A. from Eastern Illinois University, and a B.A. from Rutgers University).