Excellence Award

The Surrey Performing Arts Library has received an Excellence Award for Music Libraries from the International Association of Music Libraries (UK & Irl).

It was one of eight public libraries – alongside the Westminster Music Library and Birmingham City Libraries – that received the award at a ceremony held on Sunday, 15 April 2012 at the Concert Hall of Cardiff University.

The library was nominated by a Music Assistant at Reigate College, who said that, 'the range of materials and knowledge of the staff is second to none'.

The award was first presented in 2010 and aims to highlight music libraries that serve as a model to others and provide outstanding services to their users.

 Applications were judged by a panel of experts chaired by Professor Jan Smaczny, a keen supporter of music libraries and Professor of Music at Queen’s University Belfast. 

 In its assessment, the panel particularly highlighted the excellent service offered by the Surrey Performing Arts Library to its group members, the leading role the library plays in the South East Region, and its Vaughan Williams Special Collection.