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- Wednesday, 10 December, 2025
- Thessaloniki, Greece
- 28 June, 2026
Public Libraries
Terms of reference
The Public Libraries Section focuses on the interests of people working with music materials in public libraries; examines the trends, developments and concerns facing public music libraries and librarians; and fosters communication between public music librarians around the world. It meets these goals through such activities as presentations, discussion and information exchange at congresses and other conferences, library visits, electronic communication, and projects shared through the section web page.
It is important to learn about each others views and experiences. As Section we would also be able to grow and mature as international Section . In order to achieve that we organise a Work meeting at each IAML conference that is open to all librarians in Public libraries attending the conference.
Officers for the Section are nominated each 3 years at the annual conference. The officers organise and present the activities for the Section, including the yearly sessions at a IAML conference and other activities during the year.
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Past projects
Officers:
2024-2027
Chair: Niels Mark, Odense Musikbibliotek, Odense, Denmark
Vice-Chair: Ilona Heinonen (Tampere Library, Finland)
Secretary: vacant
Past officers:
2021-2024:
Blanka Ellederová, Czech Republic (chair) – Ilona Heinonen, Finland (vice-chair) – Niels Mark, Denmark (secretary)
2017 – 2021:
Blanka Ellederová, Czech Republic (chair) – Carolyn Dow, USA (vice-chair) – Sebastian Wilke, Qatar (secretary, 2019-2021)
2014 – 2017:
Carolyn Dow, USA (chair) – Hanneke Kuiper, Netherlands (vice-chair) – Birgitta Sparre, Sweden (secretary)
2011 – 2014:
Ann Le Lay, France (chair, 2011) – Carolyn Dow, USA (chair, 2012-2014) – Hanneke Kuiper, Netherlands (vice-chair) – Annika Simms, Sweden (secretary)
2008 – 2011:
Hanneke Kuiper, Netherlands (chair) – Julia Mitford, UK (vice-chair) – Anne Le Lay, France (secretary)
2005 – 2008:
Hanneke Kuiper, Netherlands (chair) – Kirsten Husted, Denmark (vice-chair) – Corinne Brun, France (secretary)
2002 – 2005:
Kirsten Husted, Denmark (chair) – Brigitte Geyer, Germany (vice-chair) – Eglė Stalionienė, Lithuania; Siren Steen, Norway (secretary)
1999 – 2002:
Kirsten Voss-Eliasson, Denmark (chair) – Brigitte Geyer, Germany (vice-chair) – Carolyn Dow, USA (secretary)
Activities
- Public Libraries Section – Congress Summary 2019
- Public Libraries Section – Congress Summary 2018
- Public Libraries Section – Pre-Congress Report 2018
- Public Libraries Section – Congress Summary 2017
- Public Libraries Section – Report 2017
- Public libraries – Report 2016
- Report, 2005
- 2005 activities
- Report, 2006
- Branch programme for 2006 conference in Göteborg
- Public Libraries branch report 2007
- 2007 conference in Sydney
- 2008 conference in Naples
- 2009 conference in Amsterdam
- Public Libraries – Report 2015
Materials presented in the sessions
- Music Services at Tampere City LibraryIlona Heinonen (Tampere Library, Finland)
- The partnership between the library and culture: the unique collaboration between Library of the City of Ostrava and cultural institutions of OstravaAlena Bittmarová (Library of the City of Ostrava)
- MusiX-box Club: music/rhythm video games in a public libraryMarianna Zsoldos (Bródy Sándor Public Library, Eger)
- Providing Access to Music Instruments and Recording Equipment in Public Libraries (video)Sebastian Wilke (Qatar National Library)
- Providing Access to Music Instruments and Recording Equipment in Public Libraries (slides)Sebastian Wilke (Qatar National Library)
- How to enrich the service of music libraries with musical appsSusanne Hein (Zentral- und Landesbibliothek, Berlin)
- The public library as a site of empowerment for the local music sceneMarko Allan Aho (Sastamala City Library)
- National Music Repository Library in Finland – the past, present and futureTuomas Pelttari (Turku City Library, Turku)
- Free air guitar, please take one : unusual music sessions for children in a public libraryMarianna Zsoldos (Bródy Sándor Public Library, Eger)
- The musician in the 21st century and his iPad or smartphoneJohn Valk (Public Library, Rotterdam)
- Rock star selfies: How can we use a hobby as a tool of making our public library more popularMarianna Zsoldos (Bródy Sándor Public Library, Eger)
- Die neue Musikbibliothek Stuttgart – Konzeption und AngeboteBeate Straka (Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart), Birgit Mundlechner (Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart)
- Shouting it out! How New Zealand Public Libraries are making a noise about musicMarilyn Portman (Auckland Libraries)
- Follow-up on the future of music in public librariesJohan Mijs (Teamleader internetapplications - Emerging Technologies, Bibnet, Brussels)
- From France to North America: origin and creation of Québec pop musicBenoit Migneault (Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, Montréal, Québec)
- Belgium developments on the netJohan Mijs