RNCM Library Wins Second Excellence Award

The RNCM Library has secured its second Excellence Award from the International Association of Music Libraries (UK and Ireland).

Presented every two years, the Awards acknowledge music libraries which demonstrate sustained good work and good practice in addition to recognising outstanding personal achievement by individuals. They also provide an opportunity for music collections – of any size and type – to be nominated.

The 2014 Awards were judged by a panel of experts from both the music and library industries and were chaired by Professor Jan Smaczny of Queen’s University, Belfast. The RNCM was one of 14 institutional libraries and four individuals to receive an Excellence Award during a ceremony held at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge on Saturday 12 April.

‘The very musical infrastructure of the UK and Ireland depends fundamentally on the work of music librarians,’ said Professor Smaczny. ‘[Music libraries] look after communities, those who study music and perform, those who pass on their expertise through instrumental and vocal tuition, and those who simply enquire and enjoy.’

The citation for the RNCM Library reads: ‘The service was particularly commended for the strength of its special collections, good and appropriate staffing, good user interface and response to user surveys, and a strong online presence.’

16 April 2014