Hidden Gems: MUSIC & MEMORY®

Justin Russo is the Director of Programming at the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function. They’ve answered a few questions to help librarians learn more about their organization.

Tell us who you are and what you do at the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function.

Justin oversees programming for MUSIC & MEMORY®, including work with public libraries, senior care organizations, and community partners. His role includes developing trainings, supporting implementation, speaking engagements, and helping partners use personalized music to improve quality of life for older adults and their care partners.

How can your organization partner with a library to offer resources or programming to the local community of library visitors and users?

Help libraries launch a Music & Memory program so patrons living with dementia – or caring for someone with dementia – can access personalized playlists at no cost.
Provide staff training, implementation guides, and ready-to-use materials so libraries can confidently promote the program to patrons.
Co-host workshops or offer free virtual information sessions for caregivers, older adults, and community members on how to use music to support memory, mood, and connection at home.
Offer ongoing consultation and resources so libraries can sustain and grow their dementia-friendly services over time

What needs or challenges can you organization help libraries address for their communities?

Social isolation and loneliness among older adults, especially those living with dementia
Caregiver stress and burnout by giving families simple meaningful ways to connect with loved ones using familiar music.
Lack of accessible, dementia-friendly resources for people who are still living at home.
The need for practical tools that library staff can share when patrons ask, “What can I do to help my mom/dad/partner who has memory loss?”

What regions – cities, counties, areas – of Colorado does your organization reach?

Music & Memory works with partners across the United States and can support libraries anywhere in Colorado. Our trainings and program support are delivered virtually, so we can work with library staff and systems statewide – urban, suburban, and rural.

Do the services or resources from your organization cost any money to the participant?

When libraries offer Music & Memory, there is typically no cost to the individual participants or caregivers. Access to the program is covered by the library or through external funding (such as grants or partnerships), so patrons can benefit from personalized music support free of charge.

Do libraries have to provide any funds or apply to any grants to work with your organization?

There are several options:

Some libraries fund the training and equipment through their own budgets.
Others partner with agencies on aging, health departments, or foundations to support the program through grants.

We are happy to help libraries explore funding options and identify a model that fits their capacity and community.

Do libraries have to provide any staff, volunteers, or training in order to run your programs or provide resources or services with your organization?

Yes, but we keep it very manageable. Libraries typically identify one staff member (and sometimes a volunteer) to serve as the point person for the program. We provide online training and implementation tools so they feel prepared to introduce Music & Memory to patrons, help caregivers get started, and manage basic logistics (like equipment lending, if used).

We don’t require any clinical experience, our training is designed for library staff and community facing roles.

We are also developing a Music & Memory at the Library program in partnership with Library Ideas, Inc (makers of Freegal Music). This program offers a free app to patrons via the library plus training videos and free clinical support. Staff are hands off other than to refer them to the app. For more information about the program or to gain access to the application, email [email protected]. Available 2026.

Let’s say one of our librarians, directors, or staff contact you and says, “We want to bring your organization to our community!” What will the next step look like?

Intro conversation: We schedule a short call to learn about the library, its community, and any existing dementia-focused efforts.
Program model: Together we decide which Music & Memory model makes the most sense (for example, caregiver-focused workshops, a lending program, or a hybrid approach).
Training & setup: We enroll designated staff in our training, share implementation materials, and help the library plan outreach to patrons and partners.
Launch & support: The library begins offering Music & Memory to the community, and we remain available for follow-up questions, troubleshooting, and ideas to keep the program growing.

How can people reach you?