- Name: Joshua Henry
- Years as an emerging professional: 1 year as an emerging professional
- Professional affiliation: Westminster Choir College
- Area of interest: Cataloging
- Why did you choose librarianship as a career path? Working in the music library as an undergraduate performance major made me realize how much I enjoy organizing/maintaining collections and helping patrons with their research needs. Being a music librarian gives me the opportunity to continue learning about music and help others to do the same. I specifically chose cataloging, because I have always been a meticulous person, and I feel that my work helps reference librarians do their job even better and more efficiently.
- What is/was your favorite part about library school (so far)? My favorite part about library school was learning about all of the different areas of music librarianship; reference, cataloging, archives, performance librarianship, etc. It is nice knowing that there are other areas within music librarianship if I ever choose to move away from cataloging.
- What has been your best experience as a member of MLA? The national conferences have been a wonderful way to stay up to date with developments within music librarianship, but, more importantly, the national conferences are like family reunions. Catching up and commiserating with fellow students and now colleagues always gives me a boost to continue working for the betterment of the music community.
- What advice would you give to a beginning library student? Diversify your experience while in school. Even if you know you want to focus on one area of librarianship, try to take a class or internship or write a paper outside of that focus. The more skills you have, the better chance you’ll have of being mobile and flexible. I think that it will make you a strong job candidate.
| If you are a part of the Greater NY Division of MLA, and you would like to reach out to Joshua, you can do so here. |