Our “Week in the life” series continues with a group effort from the team at Henry Watson Music Library in the heart of Manchester. Ros Edwards, Music Librarian, introduces the team:
The Henry Watson Music Library is a busy library, probably one of the largest public music libraries in the UK and one of the oldest. The core of the music library was donated to Manchester Libraries in 1902 by Dr. Henry Watson; it has operated as part of the Central Library since 1912 and it has had a place in the Central Library building since it opened in 1936. We currently have a team of staff under my supervision who work mainly in the music library but also across other departments in Central Library as needed.
I asked 4 members of staff from the team, who mostly work in the music library and have some specific roles that are part of the music library, what a typical week looks like for them.
Lynn Hall, Library Assistant – one of Lynn’s tasks is to help administer our music sets hire service.
“Our role involves covering the busy enquiries desk where, along with issuing and discharging books, music scores, CDs and DVDs we also deal with enquiries from customers looking for specific items. It is a huge library, and customers can often find it quite daunting and don’t know where to start!
“Mornings are usually the quietest, so we use that time to collect up any stray items, empty the returns boxes, locate items that have been reserved and do any shelving and straightening. We have a bank of public computers that is always busy and we often assist customers with logging in and printing. There are also two iMacs loaded with music production software such as Pro Tools, Sibelius and Ableton which any library member can use, together with equipment such as a DJ controller and piano keyboard. In addition, we have three electric pianos and a drum kit within the department and these can be used by any member of the public wearing headphones.
“Another service we provide is the hiring out of performance sets to choirs and orchestras. We have over 4,000 titles available in our collection. Music societies must register with us first, then once we receive their order we will check stock availability, calculate hire charges and prepare the items for collection. Staff on the service point will take payment for these on collection, and on return of the sets we must count everything carefully to make sure nothing is missing, chase any missing copies and then reshelve them. This is a very busy service and there is always an ongoing number of emails and orders to sort.”
Carole Reynolds, Supervisor
“As a supervisor in the Henry Watson Music Library, I am responsible for tasks such as time sheeting staff for counter and off counter jobs.
“There is a performance space within the music library, and we always have a busy events schedule throughout the year. Examples of past and ongoing events include ‘Ear Soup’ featuring live acoustic performances by local musicians, and ‘Oasis Week’, which was a whole range of Oasis-themed performances last July to coincide with the 3 Oasis performances held in Heaton Park. We also hold regular public jamming sessions open to anyone who just wants to play along with other budding musicians. The space has also been used as a hub for community arts groups and occasional exhibitions, so there’s always something going on and no two days are ever the same.
“I attend regular meetings regarding future events and liaise with groups using the library, such as a choir who practise here weekly.
“We are keen to encourage children to make more use of the music library and its facilities, so I run a regular ‘Little Movers and Shakers’ event for pre school children.”
Nick Sternberg, Library Assistant – one of Nick’s tasks is to help administer the music library’s special collections and the public’s requests for access to our music archive and rare book collection.
“Take a trip down below the Henry Watson Music Library, underground into the climate-controlled vaults of the Central Library archives, and you’ll find our extensive music special collections with nearly 1 km of shelving. We are custodians of vast swathes of rare pre-1850 printed music, local and regional concert programmes, unique manuscripts and even the occasional painting and artefact.
“These things aren’t all just locked up out of sight. Our music collections are regularly displayed in exhibitions and are featured in handling sessions around Central Library. The Henry Watson special collections service runs in partnership with Manchester’s Archives+, and so we’re proud to make all our items available for viewing by the general public, completely free of charge at the Central Library search room. And for those unable to visit the library, we even offer digitisation services for researchers, publishers and performers.
“Henry Watson’s original collection of rare music came into public hands more than a century ago, and since then it has continued to grow in scale and in scope.”
Thom Williams, Service Development Coordinator
“I am one of the Service Development Coordinators here at Central Library, and among my roles I have been tasked with activating the small performance space we have at the Henry Watson Music Library.
“Nestled among the historic, original wooden carvings, audiences will find a small stage that has played host to all manner of creative projects over the years, from artist’s exhibitions, theatrical performances, live band shows, jam sessions, to choir rehearsals and much more. The performances all operate on either a FREE or ‘pay-what-you-can’ basis, with the ambition of making any creative arts performances in the space as open and accessible as possible to our audience.
“In the last year alone, some of the highlights have included the innovative Stroboscopic Exhibition, an ‘Oasis Week’ celebration, live performances from the likes of Poppycock and Hannah Brine, an International Women’s Day concert from the Didsbury Singers, regular rehearsals from the New Horizons Choir, Q&As with prominent music authors including John Robb and Malcolm Wyatt, and more.”
“Booking an ever-expanding programme for the year ahead, audiences at the Henry Watson Music Library can expect a range of creative performances including a free monthly live showcase from the talented students at the Access to Music Creative school; a St Patrick’s Day Irish Dancing Display from the acclaimed Ward Mallinson School; a live band and ceilidh experience from Mouse’s Nest; a lunchtime piano recital from prominent Polish pianist Daria Chromik; a one-day punk festival commemorating 50 years of the Sex Pistols Free Trade Hall gig (with talks from John Robb, David Nolan, Iain Key, Paul Hanley of The Fall, and a live band performance); plus a series of author in-conversation events about prominent new music books about Cargo Recording Studios, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Clash, and much more.
“All of our events (currently on-sale) can be found alongside our creative programme for Central Library at www.librarylive.co.uk.”