Photograph: Stadtbibliothek Nürnberg by Manfred Ullrich
The mission of the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres (IAML) is to broaden access to music resources through international collaboration and advocacy, to support research, learning, performance and enjoyment. Our members open up the vast world of information and repertoire in their daily interactions with students, educators, researchers, musicians, and the general public. We work to promote and preserve musical heritage among diverse cultures as we recognise the importance of music in the lives of the world’s people.
IAML's Vision
To make music resources accessible to all and to preserve tangible and intangible musical heritage globally
What is IAML?
The International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres (IAML) currently has about 1,450 individual and institutional members in around 40 countries throughout the world. Founded in 1951 to promote international cooperation and to support the interests of the profession, IAML is a respected member of the international library and music communities. It has national branches in 24 countries, five institutional sections, four subject sections and various project groups, and is responsible for several large-scale documentation projects.
IAML draws most of its membership from Europe and North America. It is also well represented in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, with some members in other parts of Asia, in Latin America and Africa. Extending its coverage to these parts of the world is an important goal for the Association.
The membership comprises major music collections, music and audio-visual librarians, music archivists and documentation specialists, musicologists, music publishers and dealers. Membership is open to any person or institution interested in the work of the Association. English, French and German are the official languages.
IAML is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA (link is external)), the International Council on Archives (ICA (link is external)), European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA (link is external)) and the International Music Council (IMC (link is external)), a UNESCO non-governmental organization. It maintains close ties with the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA (link is external)) and the International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC (link is external)).
Through two Project Groups on the International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD), IAML has collaborated with IFLA on the revisions of the ISBDs for Non-Book Materials (NBM) and Printed Music (PM). IAML has also worked with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on the development of the International Standard Music Number (ISMN).
- Aims, Objectives and Focus Areas
- Professional associations: organizations that IAML is a member of or affiliated with
- History & Archives
- Chronology, 1949-2000
- History: "Half a century," by Harald Heckmann
- The IAML archives at the Music and Theatre Library of Sweden
- Introduction to IAML (brochures)
- "Welcome to IAML" Presentation (PDF version, revised August 2019)
Slides that describe IAML as an organisation are available to all members for use at conferences, meetings, or other professional events.
Original PowerPoint version can be obtained by contacting the Secretary General at secretary@iaml.info or can be accessed by every IAML member here (login required).
