The MLA Citation, the Association's tribute for lifetime achievement, is awarded in recognition of distinguished service to music librarianship over a career. Citation recipients become Honorary Members of the Music Library Association.

2018: Geraldine Ostrove

A vocal advocate for music and music librarianship throughout her long and distinguished career, and passionately devoted to the Music Library Association, her style, grace, eloquent and persuasive prose have graced many pages of publications, and her broad vision of the application of music subject headings and form/genre information will be influential for generations to come. Highly visible and active within various library and scholarly organizations, she has served MLA, most notably as president from 1985 to 1987; in IAML, as vice president of its Bibliography Commission and president of the U.S. Branch. She was the founding author of the “Recent Publications in Music” column, which appeared in Fontes Artis Musicae (1989–2012), a global bibliography of music publications that many found useful for collection development purposes.        

In recognition of her career-long contributions, specifically in clarifying the complex nature and application of music subject headings, as well as the separate treatment of music form and genre in subject cataloging, the Music Library Association is pleased to confer upon Geraldine (“Gerry”) E. Ostrove, the MLA Citation.

2017: Morris Martin

2016: David Gilbert

"He has served the profession as editor, leader, mentor, and visionary. Over 25 years as a music librarian at institutions both large and small, he has diligently maintained a standard of service and scholarship in spite of challenges, which remains a model to others. In 30 years as an MLA member he has served on the Board of Directors, edited the Music Review column for Notes, chaired a strategic planning task force, acted as IAML liaison, and was one of the Association’s first Sustaining Members.

An enthusiast of French music, he has edited and written prefaces for new editions of scores and provided pre-concert talks for an engaged public.  A tireless advocate for new librarians and diversity in the profession, he has mentored both music and library school students and helped launch the ARL/MLA Diversity & Inclusion Initiative. Attentive to his patrons and professionally generous to his fellow music librarians, his quiet yet consistent support has made a lasting impact on music librarianship and the future of the Music Library Association. The Music Library Association is pleased to confer upon David Gilbert the MLA Citation." 

Past recipients