IAML International Association of Music Libraries

The past year has been far IAML(UK) a mixture of achievement and frustration.

The Music LIP [Library and Information Plan] continues as a gospel far the branch, yet the continuing need far its development and implementation is an example of difficulties encountered. There are certainly successes to report. The second edition of the British Union Catalogue of Music Periodicals [BUCOMP, 2] nears completion in the supremely capable hands of John Wagstaff and is due to be published later in 1995. Work on ISMN, initiated by members of the UK Branch, has seen its international acceptance. A government funded project should lead the way towards a national union catalogue of vocal sets, and we have seen the beginnings of the reintroduction of music librarianship into professional librarianship courses.

Frustrations have arisen partly from a still incomplete revision by the central government of its library project funding mechanisms: there is much work which can progress only with substantial funding beyond the financial and personnel capabilities of the IAML branch. Until the government finally institutes these new mechanisms, further urgently needed research remains annoyingly in theory only. Further frustration is evident in the apparently increasing inability of many members to become involved with our branch work, whether far personal or (more worryingly) professional reasons. Economies have resulted in employers being less willing than hitherto to permit involvement in branch business during working hours, and there are examples even of members being denied use of telephones for what only recently would have been regarded as appropriate professional activities. As branch activities increase, there is a perception that more and more is being undertaken by fewer and fewer.

The UK Branch has expressed its enormous debt to our retiring President and General Secretary, Malcolm Lewis and Julie Crawley; their workloads and achievements have been unprecedented, and the status of the Branch transformed within the framework of UK and international librarianship. With Pam Thompson (in her spare time from being IAML Treasurer) remaining as Convenor and dynamo of the Music LIP, their personal and professional investments have been phenomenal. Margaret Roll (of Buckinghamshire County Library) has been appointed General Secretary, and the editorship of Brio has passed from John Wagstaff to Paul Andrews (of Bedfordshire County Library).

The ERMULI Trust, initiated by the Branch ten years ago with charitable status, was relaunched in March 1995 as The Music Libraries Trust. With a new Chairman and Hon. Secretary - Michael Freegard and Joan Redding - the Trust has demonstrated a renewed vigor in supporting music librarianship projects. Not least of MLT's achievements has been its success in securing funding far branch outreach activities in Albania and in particular a four-week study visit to the U .K. by Albanian music librarians (March/April 1995). Outreach was also a theme of the 1995 Annual Study Weekend - with 150 delegates the best attended ever - and we were delighted to welcome, as well as the Albanians, colleagues from Estonia, Moldova, Poland, and Slovakia. The Annual Study Weekend also witnessed the presentation of a Special Award far Outstanding Achievement to the three branch members who had initiated, developed, and promoted the idea of the ISMN: Malcolm Jones, Malcolm Lewis, and Alan Pope. Theirs is a record of inspiration, frustration, and persistence which has, after twelve international years, brought about one of the greatest achievements of IAML(UK).

Roger Taylor
President

• More reports for 1994