Money For The Asking: Fundraising In Music Libraries, By Peter Munstedt (Review)

Why would the Music Library Association (MLA, in conjunction with A-R Editions) produce a volume on fundraising as a part of the Basic Manual Series, the previous topics of which included the care and binding of materials, music classification systems, music library instruction, and audio and video equipment? How dare they elevate fundraising to the level of a basic competency for music librarians? Many in the book’s intended audience may be thinking, “I did not become a music librarian so that I could beg people for money! If it must be done, let the development officers do it. Leave me out of it!” The editors of the series make a powerful statement by acknowledging the importance of fundraising in today’s library landscape and by publishing this informational guidebook specifically to address the needs of music librarians in academic environments.