Music Library Operations Coordinator
About this role
Position Summary:
The Music Library Operations Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the library services, operations,
and programs of the Wilson Music Library including providing superior customer service (virtual and faceto-
face), acquiring music materials, supporting digitization initiatives, and ensuring that the library’s day
to day functions run smoothly, efficiently, and in alignment with the Libraries’ mission.
About the Work Unit:
The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries at Vanderbilt University is comprised of nine libraries, as well as
service departments in technical services, scholarly communications, IT infrastructure, and digital
scholarship. We seek to create a welcoming environment and serve as a partner in research and
scholarship. The libraries are dynamic places for faculty, staff, students, and alumni to reflect and
discover. We also strive to be a workplace in which staff at every level continuously grow in knowledge
and skills, staying abreast of advances and trends in librarianship to power relevant, vibrant research
libraries. The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries are fundamental to the university’s goal of advancing
scholarship and learning. We collect, preserve and make accessible a wide variety of resources, we
partner with faculty and students to shape research, and we encourage the development of informed
scholars and engaged citizens.
The music library’s primary user base is faculty, students, and pre-college students located in the Blair
School of Music but inclusive of general university students interested in music. The music library staff
work closely as a team, planning and delivering services to their constituents and making collections
decisions together.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
- Staffs the Music Library service desk, providing backup staffing when student employees aren’t
available. - Provides specialized reference service for faculty and students.
- Initiates supply order requests, work orders, and technology requests.
- Acts as the emergency coordinator and monitors the music library’s physical space.
- Processes incoming digital scores and physical materials.
- Communicates with vendors and university staff in an accurate and professional manner.
- Performs bibliographic searching and pre-order searching.
- Secures score licensing agreements with composers and vendors.
- Serves as the primary liaison to the Collection Strategy team.
- Maintains standing orders and approval plans; consults with music faculty about collection needs.
- Rehouses manuscripts, collections, and other tasks to ensure preservation of materials. Assists
in processing archival materials. - Supports digitization initiatives by scanning, transferring, and preparing materials for online
access, ensuring quality control. - Maintains a music special collections reading room with appropriate services and equipment to
provide an environment conducive to research with archival materials including maintaining
policies and guidelines. - Prepares all music books, scores, and periodicals for the bindery.
- Collaborates with the Music Library team on advancing strategic initiatives.
- Stays current with new job-related technologies.
- Completes other job duties as assigned.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position has no supervisory responsibility; reports to the Director, Wilson Music Library.
Education and Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in music or related field is necessary, or comparable combination of education,
training, or experience.
Experience and Skills:
- One year of experience working or volunteering in a library or archives setting.
- Demonstrated knowledge of music and/or experience handling music-related material.
- Ability to analyze and interpret procedures, policies and practices.
- Demonstrated exceptional customer service, including creative problem-solving and a
commitment to equitable access. - Demonstrated close attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple
tasks simultaneously. - Proficient computer skills and demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technologies to
existing operations. - Ability to work closely and collaboratively with colleagues from all library departments, students,
faculty, and staff. - Knowledge of bibliographic records and purchase orders, vendor systems and provider platforms,
vendor relations, and software related to music acquisitions work. - Ability to review non-English materials, records, and vendors.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to read music fluently.
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
Company at a glance
Our Interdisciplinary Materials Science (IMS) program offers a unique multidisciplinary experience where students design their own curriculum, and collaborate with faculty and students from engineering, chemistry, physics, and medicine, who are working on some the biggest of society's challenges.
The IMS Ph.D. program is integrated with VINSE (Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering), which boasts brand new state-of-the-art fabrication and characterization facilities. Resources include a cleanroom, analytical/nanocrystal support core, and an advanced imaging suite.
Our students rotate through three different labs in the first year to learn the culture of each research group and the advising style of the mentors prior to project/adviser selection. We offer a highly customized curriculum where students can select courses from a variety of technical departments to support their research project. This is work is supported by research facilities equipped with the latest instrumentation with outstanding research programs and faculty, where IMS researchers use nanotechnology to address the world’s most important challenges in energy, health, and security.
Our graduates work in the government (FDA, NIH, US patent office), in industry (Google, Johnson & Johnson, Dow, DuPont, Exxon, and Biotech start-ups), and in academia.
For more information contact
Josh Caldwell, IMS Director
Sarah Ross, Program Manager
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