Sabino Fernandez, Coordinator of Music Acquisitions & Processing, the University of North Texas
Steven S. Sellers, Music Metadata and Digitization Librarian, the University of North Texas
Kristin Wolski, Music Information Literacy and Outreach Librarian, the University of North Texas
Abstract
Research about video game music and sound design, often referred to as ludomusicology, is an emerging field of academic study that has experienced a surge of activity in the last two decades which correlates to the popularity of video games as a form of media. Despite this growing interest, there is a gap in library resources related to the field including scores, soundtracks, literature, and other materials. To meet the demand of this relatively new field of scholarship, the authors of this article build on the work of researchers like Karen Collins and Tim Summers and share their strategies for promoting and supporting video game music resources in the library of a large R1 research institute. Video game music is an important part of culture and has a worthy place in academic libraries to be researched and enjoyed, and the methods in this case study discussed are based on real world problems, solutions, and examples that the authors and their collaborators encountered when embarking on this project. The following strategies describe the practical steps taken by the University of North Texas Music Library to address resource gaps and promote the collection, serving as a template for other types of libraries and learning environments.
Continue reading Planning for Play: Models for Celebrating Ludomusicology Discourse in Academic Libraries