Careers

Career Opportunities

Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts: Ensemble Librarian (part-time)
Application Deadline: 24 March 2025

Grant Park Music Festival:  Orchestra Library Assistant (Seasonal)
Application Deadline:  1 April 2025

Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra:  Principal Librarian [Chautauqua School of Music] & Assistant Librarian [Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra] (Seasonal)
Application Deadline:  Open until filled

San Francisco Conservatory of Music:  Institutional Performance Librarian
Application Deadline:  Open until filled

Training Opportunities

Summer music festival internships and ensemble librarian internships, assistantships, apprenticeships, and fellowships:

Interlochen Arts Camp:  Ensemble Library Intern
Application Deadline:  Open until filled

Training Opportunities - Work-Study

The below listings are work-study opportunities for students; note that enrollment in the university and specific degree program may be a prerequisite for applications:

Submit a Job Opening

Does your organization have a librarian opening? Would you like to see it listed here? Submit a job opening by sending an e-mail to the MOLA administrator with the following:
  • organization name
  • position title
  • application deadline
  • URL address to the ad on your organization's server 
  • for work-study only:  application requirements (degree program enrollment, etc)
(MOLA will not upload attachments to its server; we will link to the original on your organization's website)

Résumé Guidance

Not sure what goes into a music librarian résumé?
We have helpful hints to demystify the librarian résumé - check out MOLA's Performance/Ensemble Librarian Résumé Basics HERE.

Cover Letter Tips

Need some tips on how to write a cover letter - or even what is the point of the cover letter?  Find some great resources by Alison Green, of Ask a Manager.

Farabee Librarian Exchange Program

The Marcia Farabee Librarian Exchange Program offers performance librarians in the first five years of their career the opportunity to visit and participate in the workings of a different organization. The program is open for MOLA members. You can find further information on the FLEP page.

MOLA Pen Pal Program

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Need advice? Keen to share your knowledge? MOLA Pen Pals offers an opportunity for one-on-one conversations from career advice to copyright - and everything in between. All MOLA member librarians are welcome. You can find further information on the PEN PAL page.

The Performance Librarian

The Performance Librarian - A Career Introduction

The performance librarian, often called an orchestra librarian, is a music preparation specialist who works in an ensemble library. The musical ensemble he or she serves is often an orchestra, but could be an opera or ballet company, festival, military service ensemble, or educational institution.

The field of performance librarianship is relatively small and selective. It is a career that appeals to the musically curious and highly organized person who likes direct contact with artists, musicians, and administrators in the production of concerts.

Performance librarians are comprehensive musicians/administrators who must bring a keen attention to detail to all of their work. Many have studied music performance and performed in ensembles, which serves as an excellent frame of reference. As of 2019, no college, conservatory, or university has offered an official program of study or degree in performance librarianship, however there are many internships and apprentice programs where aspiring librarians can gain skills and experience.

The Performance Librarian: A Career Introduction (available in Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Korean, & Spanish)

MLA Career Advisory Service

Music Library Association Career Advisory Service. 

Anyone interested in music librarianship at any stage of his/her career, from library students to library workers, from active professional librarians to those heading for retirement, are welcome to use this service.

MLA Career Advisory Service