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Blowing our own Trumpet (Redux)

Those of you with an interest in music may remember that we were the recipients of the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres (UK and Ireland Branch) Excellence Award, back in 2016. This is awarded every three years… and we won it again this year.  The Library of Trinity College Dublin was the only Irish winner of the 11 prizes awarded.

The award focuses on outstanding music services to the library’s user community, using the following criteria:

  • Sustained good work and good practice which has the potential to be adopted and adapted by others.

and if relevant:

  • Serious development of a service.
  • Innovation of obviously lasting value.

They had the following nice things to say about us:

“An impressive legal deposit library led by a distinguished music librarian [that’d be Roy Stanley – Ed.] who works closely with staff, students and other music librarians and whose engagement with performers has stimulated research and resulted in radio programmes, concerts, CDs, and publications.”

and:

“The leading role of TCD Music library in the sector in Ireland cannot be overstated. The collaboration and co-operation is a good example to others.”

and finishing up with:

“As a Legal Deposit Library, holdings of printed books and printed music are bound to be comprehensive, and thus we are looking at the way these are accessed, and other, special, aspects of the Library’s holdings. In my view, the access arrangements for the printed collections are generous and all-embracing; and the special collections are of national importance for Ireland. Development through purchase of non-legally deposited items is also impressive. I was interested to read of the Music Library’s participation in the Research Collections Division, and the integrated approach that has resulted from this.”

Well done – again – to our dedicated Music Librarian, Roy Stanley. Anyone want to place bets for 2022?