IAML International Association of Music Libraries

IAML Australian/New Zealand Conference.

The main event of note from the last year was the invitation by our IAML Australian colleagues to participate in a joint conference -an invitation which was happily accepted. The Conference was held in Canberra from 1215 September 2004 and the Conference theme, Music in a Digital World; Directions, Initiatives, Collaborations, was very timely as we grapple with the many challenges that face the digitisation of our collections. The organisation of the Conference was carried out mainly by Australian IAML members with Robyn Holmes convenor of a planning committee. Speakers covering many aspects of the conference topic were from both sides of the Tasman and it was pleasing that so many from our New Zealand Branch were able to attend. Thanks to the organising committee for planning such a successful event.

It is timely to mention that whilst this is the first Australian and New Zealand branches have participated together in a conference it is not the first time our organisations have worked together. In 1970, Australian and New Zealand established a IAML branch together, in Australia. In 1974, a New Zealand Division was formed and later, in 1981 with an increasing interest in music librarianship in New Zealand, we became a separate branch.

New Zealand Branch annual General Meeting and Speakers

Our own AGM took place in Wellington on Friday, 5 November, at Wellington City Libraries. Meeting opened by Jane Hill, Library Manager, Wellington City Libraries. The morning was devoted to the AGM, various issues and projects that the Branch had undertaken.

The Executive has moved to Auckland with Elizabeth Nichol, President; Marilyn Portman, Secretary; and Phillippa McKeown-Green, Treasurer.

With business matters dealt with we enjoyed a visit to the Radio New Zealand Music Library. Later in the afternoon, Penny Fenwick spoke about the establishment of a New Zealand Music School here in Wellingtonit will combine the Victoria University School of Music and the Massey University Conservatorium of Music.

Membership

Membership of the Branch remains much the same as previous years. The Branch is always actively looking at ways to encourage membership. Social functions with invited guests have been held in Auckland and one is planned for Wellington at the end of July.

RILM

Our team of RILM contributors, Roger Flury (Chair), Marilyn Portman (Auckland city Libraries) (monographs), and Dr. Ruth Lightbourne (National Library of New Zealand), Phillippa McKeown-Green (University of Auckland) and Jackie Waylen (University of Canterbury) are all contributors of Journal abstracts.

Other business

Jill Palmer has taken responsibility for the Branch Outreach programme.

Crescendo, the branch journal, continues to be published three times a year and remains a vital communication tool for our members and interested readers. Thanks to our Guest Editor, Dr Ruth Lightbourne, and Rose-Marie Tonk who carries out the desktop publishing aspects of publication.

Joan Clayton / Elizabeth Nichol
IAML (New Zealand)

• More reports for 2005