Mandolinist and Academic Librarian, Samuel Boss, Supports Music Faculty and Student Researchers

In research libraries and specialized collections, music librarians play a vital role in managing, cataloging, and maintaining music collections. Being a music librarian requires a musical background, as well as a genuine love for music and librarianship. Through working with conservatories and symphonies, to curating music scores and fielding research inquiries, music librarianship is a demanding, yet rewarding career.

Mr. Samuel Boss is Head of Research Services at the University of Connecticut, a complex position which requires knowledge of many fields, including music. Mr. Boss specializes in Asian American Studies, as well as music. In addition to writing the subject guides for researchers interested in each specialized field, Mr. Boss hold countless responsibilities to ensure students, faculty, and researchers alike receive the resources necessary. Read on to learn how Mr. Boss' librarianship journey has taken him from Guangzhou, China, to Vermont, to the University of Connecticut!

How did you first develop your passion for music?

I am not sure it was something I consciously developed. That is, I think it’s always been there. It is something I happily nurtured, however. My parents always had great music around. Whether it was Emmylou Harris or the Supremes on car rides with my mom, Neil Young or Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee records from my dad’s collection, or my maternal grandmother’s Beethoven cassettes, there was always something good to listen to. As for expressing that passion, around fourteen or fifteen, I became increasingly frustrated with not being able to do what I heard on those recordings.

What instruments do you play?

I play guitar and mandolin, and I am currently taking fiddle lessons.

Can you talk about your career progression to an academic librarian who works with music collections at a research university?

I suppose the only notable thing to mention is that it was totally and entirely unplanned. In my early twenties, I was simultaneously enrolled in a teacher education program and working a few different student worker jobs at the university library. Through the student worker jobs, I was introduced to many of the library employees, and for me, it resulted in a much broader understanding of the mission of a library and how that mission is carried out. Then and there, I decided to end my pursuit of the teaching certificate and enroll in library school. After library school, I moved on to a teaching job in China, and two short years later, and with lots of help, I was hired as a librarian at the Guangzhou Library—my first “real” library job. As I planned to return to the United States, I had thought I would remain in the public library world, but as it happened, I was hired as a public services librarian and library director at a small public college in Vermont. After leaving that position, I was lucky enough to be considered (and hired!) for my current position at the University of Connecticut. Shortly after arriving at UConn, I learned that the library liaison to the music department was willing to shift that role to me. After some discussion and planning, I was invited to take on the role of liaison to the music department. It was very much an indirect route, but one that I had been indirectly “preparing for” for some time.

What does it mean to be a music librarian?

That’s a very good question, and to be perfectly honest, I do not call myself, nor do I consider myself a music librarian. Officially, I am the Head of Research Services at the UConn Library, and in that capacity, I also serve as liaison to the music department. In my opinion, a music librarian is someone who, among other things, has a working knowledge of music theory, can read music, and is knowledgeable about a variety of styles. Furthermore, a music librarian will have extensive knowledge of important music-related information resources and may also have knowledge of cataloging or organizing music resources. Of course, much can be (and will be) learned on the job, but from what I’ve seen, music librarians are also often performers, historians, or theorists.

What are some of the projects or research requests that you typically get from students or faculty?

Typical can be a tough word, but students often visit the library in search of scores and other like resources. As for faculty, it really depends on the background. Some faculty members are historians and others are performers, etc. Within that context, we will get requests for scores that one of the ensembles is considering or we will get requests for books on everything from Early Music to Indonesian Gamelan. Over the past year or so, there has also been an increase in requests for information of women composers and composers of color.

Could you describe a day in your life as an academic librarian?

The most accurate description is that every day is different. There are a few common strains, however. For example, I spend a considerable amount of time investigating and helping to acquire new resources for the Music and Dramatic Arts Library at UConn. I also engage in a great deal of outreach and education activities that include teaching research workshops, leading library introductions for newly arrived faculty and students, or communicating directly with students and faculty on the use of information resources. Each week, I also have the pleasure of working at three of UConn’s library facilities. I really enjoy that because it allows me to stay mobile, and I get to meet students and university staff working in a variety of capacities in a variety of locations. Outside of the UConn Library, I try to stay active in professional associations such as the Music Library Association.

What is your favorite item or collection that you oversee at the library?

I love the Real Book Collections. I probably use those most often. I also like to read the monographic and biographical items.

What specific skills, certifications, or training are needed to work with music collections in an academic library?

It really depends on the state and/or institution. If you look at job descriptions for music librarians in an academic setting, you may find that a Master or Doctor of Music is required in addition to the library masters. As noted, it may vary by state or institution. As for specific skills, a familiarity with how music information resources are organized is necessary. It's also important, for example, that librarians working in music libraries are familiar with the different components of a score. Most importantly, librarians working in music libraries should be able to communicate effectively with their constituents. In order for that to happen, the individual should have at least some knowledge of history, theory, and performance.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in a career in music librarianship?

I think this advice is important for all those who wish to become a librarian: Start getting experience now. Volunteer, shelve books, lead a workshop—do what you have to do. The key is to get into a library, any library. And if you want to become a music librarian, do your best to get into the appropriate learning environments. Those environments could come in the form of a community orchestra, an academic program, or a garage band (or all of the above).

What role does music currently play in your life? How do you balance your interest in music with your career in a different field?

Music doesn’t necessarily play an official role, but it’s always present. There is always music playing in the house, and there are always instruments around ready to be played and enjoyed. That’s kind of what I am aiming for. I really don’t want to be in a position where, musically speaking, people have expectations for me or vice-versa. As for the second question, I try not to look at music and career as two opposing forces that need to be balanced. I enjoy working in libraries because I think it has the potential to be an honorable profession. It allows you, encourages you, and requires you to pursue knowledge. I think that is wonderful. Furthermore, librarians work in service of others. To me, that is valuable. And just to be sure there is balance, I bring my mandolin to the library most days.

Who are some of your main inspirations in the world of music?

Hmmm… The response to this question changes by the day/hour/minute. On April 19, 2022 at 5:36 PM Eastern, my main inspirations in the world of music are Rayna Gellert and John Hartford.