The International Association of Music Libraries, Archives, and Documentation Centres (IAML), established in 1951, condemns national and international policies that work against its purposes as stated in its constitution, and particularly its primary goals to encourage and promote the activities of libraries, archives and documentation centres concerned with music and music materials; to strengthen cooperation among institutions and individuals working in these fields and to publish information concerning their work; and to promote a better understanding of the cultural importance of music libraries, archives and documentation centres both nationally and internationally. Any hindrance to the free and full exchange of information and the opportunity to engage fully in professional activities and training pertaining to music libraries, archives, and documentation centres across all countries in the world are antithetical to these goals.
The following has been issued by Barbara Dobbs Mackenzie on behalf of the IAML Board:
The International Association of Music Libraries, Archives, and Documentation Centres (IAML), established in 1951, condemns national and international policies that work against its purposes as stated in its constitution, and particularly its primary goals to encourage and promote the activities of libraries, archives and documentation centres concerned with music and music materials; to strengthen cooperation among institutions and individuals working in these fields and to publish information concerning their work; and to promote a better understanding of the cultural importance of music libraries, archives and documentation centres both nationally and internationally. Any hindrance to the free and full exchange of information and the opportunity to engage fully in professional activities and training pertaining to music libraries, archives, and documentation centres across all countries in the world are antithetical to these goals.
As such, IAML condemns the Executive Order issued by US President Trump on 27 January 2017 temporarily barring entry into the United States by citizens from seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen).
IAML stands by all of its institutional and individual members, and its national branches, in support and furtherance of their professional activities. Further, IAML welcomes all persons and institutions, from every country, wishing to further the goals of the Association, including the formation of new national branches in all parts of the world. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to IAML and its activities.
Recently IAML has been working to enhance connections with and among related institutions and individuals in the Middle East, including helping to organize a conference in Abu Dhabi together with its sister societies, the International Council for Traditional Music and the International Musicological Society, called “Music As Cultural Heritage: Problems of Historiography, Ethnography, Ethics and Preservation”, to take place in March 2017. Here we hope to gain a better understanding of the conditions, challenges, and successes of music libraries, archives, and documentation centres in this region with the aim of mutual learning and support among colleagues.