I have a masters in music, but I am considering going back to school to become a music librarian(library science degree, I think..) Does anyone know how much a music librarian for a major orchestra makes?
For a small orchestra?

In major orchestras -- and most regional orchestras -- the librarian is included in the same collective bargaining agreement as the musicians. Therefore, a "principal librarian" would earn the same as a principal player.

However, a degree in music library science has very little do to with being an orchestra librarian.

Um, not quite "Tricky". Librarians are considered staff in some cases, which means they are not protected by, or earn the same as musicians in a CBA.

One might find more info on http://www.mola-inc.org/

At the LA Phil we have one librarian covered by the CBA. Another librarian is covered in a side letter as being treated as a staff musician, but without precedent as to any other librarian or future CBA. A third, full-time (I think) librarian has terms I dunno nothin about. We also hire librarian staff part time (per service? ) from time to time.

No other orchestra I've been in -- Houston, San Antonio, etc -- included the librarian in the collective bargaining unit, if memory serves.

Cheers!

Zambo

Nope - San Antonio's librarian is in the bargaining unit.

I've heard crossword puzzles are good for memory training...

If a music library science degree is not what you need to become an orchestra librarian, then what type of degree or experience is necessary? I currently have a masters in violin performance but would like to become a music librarian. Anyone know where I could find info about what steps to take?

Again, try MOLA. the address link is in my above post. Even try emailing an orchestra librarian in your area or near by. Most likely, they love to share info on their craft.

loye77,

I have a friend who was a librarian for Cincinnati for a few years. She had no special degree for being a librarian (she had a music ed bachelors and a performance masters), but was hired on part time for a summer. She eventually moved up to full time. I think in many ways being an orchestral librarian requires a certain amount of OTJT. You learn how to do it by doing it. To gain experience you might want to look into being a librarian for summer festivals or call up your local orchestra and ask if their librarian needs any part time help. I was a very part time library aid for Grand Rapids for a few months last year and I learned a ton about what being a librarian is all about.

While I'm not an expert, I think that the large orchestras in the country employ at least one full time librarian who is included in the CBA. For smaller, regional orchestras, the librarian is often a participating musician in the orchestra (oboe/english horn players seem to fill this role most often, but I don't know why).

In general, my belief is that to be a good orchestral librarian, you have to have a good knowledge of orchestra rep, good knowledge of music publishers and the different editions for various composers and pieces, good organizational skills, and, IMHO most importantly, a thorough knowledge of how to use a copy machine. I can't tell you how often I've had bad copies of music handed to me by a librarian who didn't know how to use the Xerox machine.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Cheers,
MC

Katinfiddle's ideas are excellent. To the best of my knowledge, no music school offers a degree in orchestra librarian skills. (Maybe they should?) Every librarian I have ever known or worked with learned "on the job." Every librarian I've ever known has also been generous in helping to teach the profession to newcomers.

[Emily in SA: tell Sarah that "Larry from Bellevue" says hello.]

This might help.

http://www.musiclibraryassoc.org/employmentanded/Librar...ringsDirectory.shtml