For almost three decades (1931-59) Carleton Sprague Smith served as Chief of the Music Division of The New York Public Library. Utilizing his training as historian, musicologist, and musician, together with his exceptional administrative and linguistic skills, he helped develop one of the world's greatest music research libraries. As early as 1932, he drew up the initial concept of a Library-Museum of the Performing Arts, which ultimately materialized at Lincoln Center. Smith also served as President of both the Music Library Association