What the Folk: Analyzing Folk Music Collections in the Mississippi Library Partnership

This study analyzes the folk music literature collections held in the Mississippi Library Partnership’s 12 library systems. The authors used Dick Weissman’s 100 Books Every Folk Music Fan Should Own as the primary gauge or standard by which to analyze the collections. Authors also examined new titles that Mississippi libraries have collected since the publication of 100 Books in 2014. Findings include an analysis of popular titles and topics, a discussion of folk music and its terminology, and a look at the value of library partnerships.