Our history

IAML, originally the International Association of Music Libraries, was founded in 1951 after meetings held in 1949 and 1950.

The UK Branch  was founded in 1953 with Alec Hyatt King (Keeper of the Music Room, British Museum) as its first President.

In 1980 IAML adopted the longer and more inclusive name of the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres. This was adopted by the UK Branch in 1982, becoming the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres (UK Branch) — IAML(UK).

In 2001, after some years of collaborative discussions, music librarians in the Republic of Ireland decided to join with IAML(UK) to form a multi-country branch which then became the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres (UK & Ireland Branch) — IAML (UK & Irl).

Further details of the Branch’s earlier history can be found in Music librarianship in the United Kingdom : fifty years of the United Kingdom Branch of the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres / edited by Richard Turbet. — Aldershot : Ashgate, c2003 (ISBN 0 7546 0572 8)

List of past Presidents.