Module Information

Module Identifier
DSM1910
Module Title
Music Librarianship
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Report  A written report (1,250-1,500 words in length) containing recommendations for improving the music library service or music provision in a particular library or local area.  40%
Semester Assessment Essay  An essay (1,500 - 2,000 words in length). Students will be given a choice of three relevant essay topics to choose from.  60%
Supplementary Assessment Report  A written report (1,250-1,500 words in length) containing recommendations for improving the music library service or music provision in a particular library or local area.  40%
Supplementary Assessment Essay  An essay (1,500 - 2,000 words in length). Students will be given a choice of three relevant essay topics to choose from.  60%

Learning Outcomes

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

Articulate critically the current professional issues in music librarianship

Describe and justify the skills and competencies required by the staff of a music library or information service

Identify and assess the issues affecting the management of music collections in a library or information service

Assess and address the needs of particular user groups in the music library

Assemble appropriate information materials to enable the rational articulation and evaluation of professional music library issues.

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.

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
Application of Number None
Communication Via both assignments, where marks will be given for clear and logical presentation.
Improving own Learning and Performance Both the assignments should help develop students¿ knowledge. The module handbook also contains a logical introduction to music library work, and this should help in the learning process.
Information Technology Students will be expected to use both print and electronic resources in researching their assignments, particularly the second.
Personal Development and Career planning Once the students have been through the course they should easily be able to work out whether or not music library work is right for them.
Problem solving The first assignment (in particular) requires students critically to evaluate an information service, and to propose workable ways in which it can be improved.
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 Understanding of music¿s many formats (scores, recordings, books on, electronic resources), and the peculiar elements of music acquisition, cataloging, copyright/performing rights, classification and conservation work will come from doing this course.
Team work None

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7