RNCM Library Wins Third Excellence Award

The RNCM Library has secured its third 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 2016 nominations 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 13 libraries to receive an Excellence Award during a ceremony held at Chancellor’s Hotel (University of Manchester) on Saturday 2 April.

Music libraries play a key role in supporting the study, performance and enjoyment of music and underpin the vibrant diverse musical life and heritage in the UK and Ireland and, as Professor Smaczny has said, ‘the very musical infrastructure of the United Kingdom and Ireland depends fundamentally on the work of music librarians’.

The citation for the RNCM Library reads: ‘The service was particularly commended for its excellent collection, highly knowledgeable staff, long opening hours and ready availability of the materials and access to expertise, including a blog to highlight new stock and other areas of interest.’

5 April 2016