Library
The RNCM Library is central to our teaching, learning, performance, and research, giving students and staff access to high‑quality resources across print, audio, video, and digital formats.
Named Outstanding Library Team of the Year at the 2025 Times Higher Education Awards, our staff are all music specialists who strive to provide a truly supportive and welcoming environment for study and research. They actively participate in International Association of Music Libraries (UK & Ireland) and the team has received four Excellence Awards from the organisation to date.
The library co-operates with other libraries, particularly in the Manchester area, and is a member of North West Academic Libraries (NoWAL) and the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres (IAML). Library staff actively participate in International Association of Music Libraries (UK & Ireland) of which the RNCM is a member. To date, the library has received four Excellence Awards from the organisation.
Collections
Our library holds an extensive collection of performance materials, scores, books, journals, CDs, DVDs, and a wide range of online resources, including databases, e‑journals, e‑books and audio/video streaming services. We also maintain archival and special collections of international importance, featuring manuscripts, personal papers, and the administrative records of the Royal Manchester College of Music, the Northern School of Music, and the RNCM, along with materials relating to notable musicians and the Manchester European Wind Library (MEWL).
In addition, the library cares for the RNCM Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, which comprises more than 300 European and non‑Western instruments, including significant examples of early keyboard, string, woodwind and brass. The collection is open to visitors weekly during term‑time, and students are strongly encouraged to explore both the archives and the instruments as part of their studies.
People
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Sarah d’Ardenne
Head of Library Services
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Alison Allerton
Deputy Librarian (Acquisitions)
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Julia Knight
Acquisitions Librarian
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Toni-Ann La-Crette
Reader Services Librarian
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Heather Roberts
RNCM Archive and Museum Manager
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Douglas Badger
Senior Library Assistant (Audio-Visual & Interlibrary Loans)
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Maryam Atti
Library Assistant
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Beth Duncan
Cataloguing Librarian
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Caroline Morris
Saturday Library Assistant & Library Assistant
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Charlotte Saudek
Senior Library Assistant (Collections and Social Media)
Additional Information
Facilities
Networked IT facilities with a range of software are available for students within the space, and a digital microform reader, scanner, and self-service binders are also available.
Opening Hours
Monday – Thursday: 9.30am – 7pm
Friday: 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday: 9am – 1pm (RNCM staff and students only)
Sunday: Closed
Please note that all opening times are subject to staff availability, and the library reserves the right to close if necessary. If you are making a special journey, please call the team in advance on 0161 907 5243.
Online resources are still available while the library is closed using the links on Moodle or your Athens login.
Find Us
The RNCM Library is situated on the ground floor, to the left of the main entrance on Booth Street West.
Resources
Library Catalogue
Archives
Collection of Historic
Musical Instruments
