Local music collecting and collections in Canadian libraries

Social Sciences and Humanities Research CouncilLocal music holds tangible meaning in the form of evidence of historical events, development of musical practices, documentation technologies, cultural artefacts, It also holds intangible meaning in the form of associations with memory, nostalgia, and feeling. Studying collections of local music and collecting practices (as opposed to individual artifacts, musical genres, or music scenes) provides us with unique understandings of the interplay between local, regional, and national music histories. This paper will discuss the findings of a survey of local music collecting and collections in Canada, which will be conducted in early 2018. We will provide an analysis of the collected data, which investigates behaviours, preferences, and beliefs about local music collections and collecting in libraries. Specifically, the themes of investigation include collection management, collection development, access, digital tools, promotion, challenges, and future planning related to local music collections. This research seeks to understand the state of local music collections and collecting in libraries across Canada. Specifically to: 1) to identify where collections of local music are held, what music(s) they document, and what evidentiary value they possess; 2) to understand the perceived value of collecting local music, and 3) to record local music collection management practices currently in use and where these practices may be improved