A New Breed of Musicians: The Information-Seeking Needs and Behaviors of Composers of Electroacoustic Music

ABSTRACT The musical potential of computers has increased exponentially in recent decades, and music composition programs have seen drastic shifts in their landscape as a result. Composers of electroacoustic music are an idiosyncratic group of library patrons, their creative endeavors serving as a model of interdisciplinarity. Drawing from fields including computer science, engineering, and mathematics, these composers present a unique challenge for librarians charged with meeting their information needs. This article discusses some of the innovative ways in which composers of electroacoustic music seek and use information as well as recommendations for librarians to help better serve this diverse group.