The Music Libraries Trust's aim is to provide unique support for the education and training of music librarians, and to encourage research into music librarianship, bibliography and related disciplines.
In the absence of any formal music library education in the United Kingdom, the Trust was founded by the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres (UK & Ireland Branch) - IAML(UK & Irl).
““I am pleased to be a patron of The Music Libraries Trust and support its vital work.”
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Music librarians are well-trained professionals who have the specialised knowledge to build and organise music collections and provide answers to wide-ranging enquiries. They link the performer with the music, the composer with the audience, the researcher with source materials, the teacher with educational tools and the producer with appropriate recordings or images.
Music Libraries are essential to the health and survival of musical life in Britain and Ireland, and offer a unique service that is all too often taken for granted.
Since 1987, the Trust has pursued its objectives through bursaries, research grants and prizes. Working in conjunction with IAML(UK & Irl) it has provided a focus for the inception of new ideas and for skills of music librarians to be re-evaluated in the context of new technologies and changing bibliographical techniques.
In 2021, Pam Thompson wrote ‘The Music Libraries Trust: celebrating 40 years of support for education and research in music libraries’, included here with kind permission from the publisher.
The Music Libraries Trust - Celebrating 40 years
annual reports
Access information about us held by the Charity Commission.
Header image sources
Thank you to the following libraries and individuals who contributed photos for use as header images on our site:
Cardiff Central Library
Jerwood Library of the Performing Arts, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Surrey Performing Arts Library
Westminster Music Library
Megan Dyson