IAML (UK & Irl)’s popular “Music for the Terrified” course has been updated for library staff working with music collections everywhere. The day-long course covers a wide variety of topics, including:
- help with answering music enquiries;
- a brief introduction to music copyright;
- a guide to different types of scores;
- tips for searching library catalogues;
- and a showcase of useful resources.
Trainers Chris Scobie (British Library), Katharine Hogg (Gerald Coke Handel Collection) and Meg Fisher (British Library) ran the course in Wiltshire at the end of September. The seven attendees came from across the South, including Cardiff, Devon, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. Each topic was introduced with a presentation, but there were also hands-on activities, short quizzes and plenty of opportunities for questions throughout the day.
Feedback has been enthusiastic, with comments such as:
“Can’t think of anything that could have been done better! … It actually showed me I knew more than I thought I did.”
“The material covered was appropriate and pitched at the correct level for those attending.”
“The knowledge and enthusiasm of the trainers was self-evident. They were engaging and very patient in answering our questions and explaining key concepts to novices.”
“All three trainers had great music knowledge. They were flexible in discussing areas raised by those on the course … The course was really interesting and provided lots of very helpful resources.”
Music for the Terrified will return soon in Edinburgh (date and venue to be confirmed soon). If you think your library staff could benefit from this course – whether new to music libraries, or wanting to brush up on skills – get in touch with the Events and Training Committee at training@iaml-uk-irl.org
We’re always looking for people willing to teach this course (or any of our other courses) too. If you’d like to shadow a trainer, get in touch (training@iaml-uk-irl.org).
Meg Fisher, British Library