A large number of music graduates teach in colleges, universities, music conservatories, elementary and secondary schools, or are self-employed. Many who teach music also perform. Music librarians may work for large performing groups such as symphonies or operas. Symphony orchestra and opera librarians assist the conductors in making adjustments to musical scores, order new music, keep the library of music in order, and correspond with future guest conductors. Public libraries in large cities and special music libraries in conservatories and universities hire librarians with specialized musical knowledge.
Many music librarians combine library duties with scholarly research in music.
Music library duties would include acquiring and cataloging books, musical scores, periodicals, and recordings. In some libraries rare books and manuscripts will be preserved by the librarian and selected for electronic storage. The music librarian may also be responsible for setting up special exhibits of books and scores, arranging for concerts, and giving lectures in special fields of interest. However, as the proportion of income spent on recreational activities continues to increase, the employment of musicians is expected to increase in theatres, bands and restaurants. Music librarianship generally requires a bachelor of arts in music and a master of library science.