Marlene Wong is a member of the Learning, Research & Technology group. She manages the operations of and provides strategic leadership for the Werner Josten Performing Arts Library. She is responsible for and directs collection development and interdisciplinary selection in the subject specialty of the performing arts (music, theatre, dance), which includes acquisitions, and cataloging. She provides reference, research and teaching support for students and faculty in music, theatre, dance and related disciplines. She recently attended the 2019 ARL Digital Scholarship Institute at the University of Rochester.

Marlene began her career as a music cataloger in the Stanford University Music Library, and subsequently became the music librarian at the University of California, Davis, before coming to Smith College.

She is a classically trained organist, established church musician, and a dancer-musician. She is a founding member of the trio formerly known as The Well Tempered Ukes. She studies voice, and is currently researching and studying for performance both the solo songs of Francis Poulenc written specifically to be sung by women, and those songs written to be sung to children.

She has attained the masters excellent titles in the performance sport of AKC dog agility on her late standard poodle, Ariel Dancing Master, aka Louie Louie.

Committees

Collection Development Policy and Procedures Team; Reserves Team

Publications & Presentations

Wong, Marlene. “John Duke and the American Art Song,” presented as part of "Marking a Century: Music at Smith (1909-2009)," Smith College, February 9, 2010.

An earlier version was presented at the Bibliography Round Table, MLA National Meeting, Newport, RI, February, 2008.

Duke, John. Four Chinese love lyrics : for soprano and piano. [Editors: Clifton J. Noble, Jr., Marlene M. Wong] Huntsville, Tex. : Recital Publications, 2010. Preface by Marlene M. Wong; score transcribed and edited by Clifton J. Noble, Jr.

Wong, Marlene. “So You 'Have' To Be A Dance Librarian: Extending Our Skills: Focus on the Library,” presented at the MLA Music Librarianship Educators Roundtable, Denver, CO, February 27, 2015.

“...It’s Been a Long Long While: Theatre & Other Arts Songs and Chansons by Kurt Weill.” Marlene Wong, soprano, and Clifton J. Noble, Jr., piano. (2019)

“Librarianship as Contact Improvisation: Supporting Dance and Theatre at a Distance.” To be presented with Chris Schiff (Bates College) at the MLA 2021 Annual Meeting in March, 2021.

“Librarianship as Contact Improvisation: A Metaphor for Librarianship in Action.” MLA/TLA, March 4, 2021, with Chris Schiff (Bates College)

“With a Latin Tinge: French & German Cabaret Songs.” Marlene Wong, soprano, and Clifton J. Noble, Jr., piano. (2021)

“The Song I Want to Sing: A Musician’s Journey.” Marlene Wong, soprano, and Clifton J. Noble, Jr., piano. (2022)

Professional Affiliations

Music Library Association; MLA Electronic Scores Working Group, Advocacy Sub-Committee (2021 - current); MLA Nominations Committee, member (2020-2021); NEMLA Program Committee, (2021-2022); Contact Quarterly Advisory Board, member; Contact Quarterly Digital Task Force, member