Towards A Critical Music Information Literacy Praxis

Abstract

:Critical music information literacy enables an individual to recognize and navigate the power structures that exist in our systems of music information construction, dissemination, preservation, and access. It relies on an instructor’s critical disposition toward information, which is passed on to the student who can then recognize the relationship between power and scholarship. Together they can seek to resist and tear down inequitable systems and practices. If we understand collections to be a locus of musical study and discourse, it is necessary for library workers, as well as those using music collections like researchers and performers, to engage in critical praxis and critical music information literacy if we hope to create an anti-racist, equitable society that “bend[s] toward justice.” Using this definition of critical music information literacy, we explore theories that inform its praxis within music library workership, briefly summarize challenges due to the materiality of music information, and offer some practical applications for reflection, adoption, and action.