IAML International Association of Music Libraries

The focus of our Branch since our last report has been largely on our own annual conference and the revision of the Branch's constitution.

Some extended work involving many of the committee members resulted in a number of changes to our Constitution being presented to the Annual General Meeting in November 2005. The changes mainly clarified someuncertainties, particularly around the term of office of the executive, make-up of the committee and types of membership. The new constitution will be available on our webpage.

New Zealand Branch Conference and Annual General Meeting  

Our Branch Conference took place at the University of Auckland on 3-4 November, 2005. The two day programme covered topics as varied as the impact of gramophone recordings on musical life in New Zealand and the role of libraries in preserving these materials, some crystal ball gazing into what technologies may follow the CD for music libraries, examples of effective marketing programmes and the pros and cons of outsourced music cataloguing. High attendance numbers were particularly gratifying with members attending from all parts of the country. The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra kindly hosted a visit to their music library which was an interesting insight into a specialist branch of music librarianship few of us have contact with.

Along with the constitution changes, the AGM also discussed ways to ensure our constributions to RILM keep up to date, a strategy for making progress on the Outreach programme, plans for a survey of music collections in New Zealand and various strategies for ensuring that members are aware of what is happening in the Branch. The records of the Branch continue to be lodged in the archives collection of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

It was noted at the AGM that the Branch is coming up to its 25 year anniversary and plans for some appropriate celebrations in 2007 have been started.

Membership

Membership has remained steady. We said farewell to Jackie Waylan, a long-time member from the University of Canterbury as she left to take up a new role at Monash University in Australia.

Crescendo

Our Branch magazine, Crescendo, continues to be published three times a year and is our main vehicle for passing on items of  professional interest to our members. Lisa Allcott has resumed the editorship and Rose-Marie Tonk continues to ensure a high standard of desktop publishing. Our thanks to them both, and the Lilburn Trust who assist with publication costs.

Roger Flury

• More reports for 2006