Music Students and Library Collections after Pandemic Closures: An Examination of Format Preferences and Reported Usage

Abstract

This study details university music students’ required resources, format preferences, and information-seeking behaviors after the campus shutdowns brought about by COVID-19. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the investigation was undertaken at three large U.S. universities in fall 2022. Results revealed that music students continue to use and value library resources, a sentiment that rose with class standing. Longitudinal comparisons with 2012 and 2017 studies reveal that the dramatic shift towards digital resources seen between 2012 and 2017 has not continued and that format preferences are largely unchanged from 2017. Students reported heavy reliance on libraries for books, scores, and articles, while audio and video content were likely to come from freemium resources like YouTube or other streaming sites.