The Sea Change in Library Music Collections, the Anchors of Scholarship and Creativity

Music library collections are a service to the scholars, students, educators, and performers of today and the future. However, current music distribution environments can make it difficult for libraries to deliver this service seamlessly, or in some cases, at all. In addition, many libraries face tangible budgetary, space, and staffing constraints. This essay explores these environments, and the resulting challenges libraries face in meeting patrons’ needs and in upholding their mission to preserve scholarly and creative works. It also discusses how current music distribution models affect individuals and offers potential solutions that libraries and music library professional associations should explore.