These qualifications appear to have withstood the test of time:
- Knowledge of music history: major periods, movements, genres.
- Knowledge of music theory: knowlege of harmonic structure, form, key signatures, aural skills.
- Knowledge of and understanding of the philosophy of libraries and librarianship.
- Bibliographic knowledge of foreign languages, esp. musical instruments, terms, etc. in Italian, French, German. (Russian, Hebrew, Chinese, Eastern European languages also useful.)
- Knowledge of music reference tools.
- Knowledge of musical print and non-print formats.
- Ability to teach.
- Ability to use catalog and discovery interfaces effectively and instruct users in their use.
- Up-to-date knowledge of developments in the field of librarianship and in music librarianship in particular.
- Excellent interpersonal skills: ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Awareness of and general knowledge of copyright laws.
- Knowledge of larger institution's curriculum or needs of community served by the library.
- Knowledge of resources needed for selection and acquisition: reviews, recommended lists (RCL, Basic Music Library, , etc.).
