Document Type
Chapter in a Book
Publication Date
9-2022
Abstract
While grappling with gaining education and experience to enter into a career in music libraries, students may find attendance at an MLA meeting to be particularly beneficial. Going to an MLA meeting as a student is a fantastic experience that facilitates a better understanding of the profession and creates the opportunity to make connections that can lead to greater success when entering a career in music libraries. From plenary presentations to informal gatherings, there are numerous opportunities to immerse yourself and learn about salient topics in music library work while also meeting potential collaborators, mentors, and future colleagues. In this new chapter, Taylor Greene and Zoua Sylvia Yang draw upon their experience attending national and regional MLA conferences as former student attendees and current music librarians. They provide guidance to help future music librarians and first-time attendees figure out what to expect from MLA national and local chapter meetings and to understand the importance of networking, with tips on doing it (even if you don’t want to!). They also provide advice for getting the most out of your MLA experience and pivoting from the conference to the job market.
Recommended Citation
Greene, Taylor, and Z. Sylvia Yang. “First-Time Attendee: How to Get the Most Out of Being a Student at a Music Library Association Meeting.” In Careers in Music Libraries IV, 4th ed. Music Library Association Technical Reports Series, Vol. 39. Edited by Susannah Cleveland and Misti Shaw, 115 - 131. Middleton, WI: A-R Editions, 2022.
