How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline your knowledge, skills, and experiences that are relevant to this position. Due to system limitations, please submit both the cover letter and resume as one file. For questions about this posting or to request accommodations, please contact libraryjobs@umich.edu.
Job Summary
The Music Collections Specialist will manage project work supporting the selection, processing, access, and disposition of music materials, focusing on the Music Library’s backlog of undescribed special collections. In collaboration with the music librarians, you will help sort, review, rehouse, prepare, and route materials for retention, processing, offsite storage, or deaccessioning.
The Music Collections Specialist will carry out the technical processing of musical scores to prepare them for circulation. This includes physical processing and associated tasks in our library management system, Alma.
You will report to the Head of the Music Library as part of the Arts & Humanities team.
Responsibilities*
Collection support activities including the following or similar (55%):
Collaborate with Music Librarians to support collection development through gift evaluation, print and electronic resource management, materials deselection, and related activities
Perform condition assessment, sorting, rehousing, inventories, and other related activities involved in the processing of undescribed music special collections
Finding aid creation or other basic description work
Other targeted activities to support music collection development
Process music materials, including the following (40%):
Prepare materials for binding and ensure housing or rehousing of physical materials, including placing work orders in Alma
Inscribe materials with their call number
Insert circulation notes into Alma
Verify item details for accuracy within their Alma records
Process incoming material shipments, sorting materials for cataloging, shelf preparation, serials check-in, etc.
Work with other library departments, such as preservation/conservation, labeling, and cataloging, to manage technical processing workflows for scores
Professional Development (5%):
Participation in library meetings, appropriate staff development workshops, and other relevant events
Collaboration with staff across the library to promote unit and library goals
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
Three years of experience in a library setting or equivalent professional environment
Ability to read music, distinguish among printed music formats, and interpret music terminology
Experience using online catalogs, databases, and web-based resources in a networked environment
Demonstrated ability to complete complex and detail-oriented procedures accurately and efficiently
Desired Qualifications*
Experience using a library management system, preferably Alma
Advanced bibliographic and subject knowledge of the field of Western classical music, demonstrated through a music degree or relevant experience
Bibliographic knowledge of German, French, and/or Italian
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
Generous time off
A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Modes of Work
The mode of work is onsite. Work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change depending on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about work modes.
Union Affiliation
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by University Staff United, AFT Local 284, AFL-CIO, which represents Employees in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled at any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
| Job Detail |
| JOB OPENING ID: 283450 WORKING TITLE: Music Collections Specialist JOB TITLE: INFO RESOURCES ASSISTANT SR WORK LOCATION: Ann Arbor Campus Ann Arbor, MI MODES OF WORK: Onsite FULL/PART TIME: Full-Time REGULAR/TEMPORARY: Regular FLSA STATUS: Nonexempt ORGANIZATIONAL GROUP: Univ Library DEPARTMENT: Library R&L – Arts & Humanitie POSTING BEGIN/END DATE: 9/23/2026 – 10/14/2026 SALARY: $54,000.00 – $63,000.00 CAREER INTEREST: Libraries & Museums University Staff United (USU) |