Annual Study Weekend

The next ASW will take place in Leeds from 5 to 7 April 2024.

The Annual Study Weekend (ASW) takes place around Easter each year and provides attendees with thought–provoking and practical information as well as opportunities for networking with their opposite numbers from a range of libraries across the UK and Ireland. The Public Library and Academic Library seminars usually run concurrently on the first (Friday) afternoon of the ASW. After this the ASW proper begins, including the Annual General Meeting of the Branch, and continuing until Sunday.

A draft programme for the ASW usually becomes available from December of the preceding year onward. Details of and booking forms for the next ASW can be found in the Events listing as they become available. 

Delegates consistently rate IAML (UK & Irl)’s Annual Study Weekend highly, finding the content both informative and relevant with excellent networking opportunities. Here is some of the feedback from the 2017 ASW:

  • “Really outstanding conference. Not only informative and helpful, but left me charged, optimistic and enthusiastic about my job. Priceless”
  • “I hadn’t attended before but found it extremely useful and will definitely want to return!”
  • “Very professional and varied programme in 2017 – great to keep that combination going.”
  • “Very well-balanced programme with interesting and well-presented contributions..Lovely venue.”

Some delegates return year after year but there is always a good number of ‘first timers’, including students of library and information studies as well as staff just embarking on a career in music librarianship.

The Music Libraries Trust is able to provide a limited number of bursaries each year – priority is given to those who would otherwise be unable to attend and who have no other sources of funding.

For details of the next ASW as they become available see under Events.