Music librarians on the national stage: music librarians and archivists had the opportunity to give voice to their ideas, issues and concerns on the national stage during some key events held in late 2008.

• Author: Holmes, Robyn
• Position: Conference news

A National Music Summit Australian Musical Futures: TOWARDS 2020 was held on 5 September 2008 at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, organised by the Music Council of Australia. This was the first national event that brought together the myriad of ideas and interests of music organisations and musicians across all parts of the music landscape. One hundred leaders and thinkers from across the music sector considered futures related to music in education, music in the community, music infrastructure, the interventions of government through legislation and regulation including copyright and funding, and the possible shape of the new music industry.

As the National Library's Curator of Music, I was an invited participant and articulated the library/archive perspective on a range of ideas. In particular, participants in our infrastructure think-tank articulated the need for more open access to resources, cooperative digital initiatives, greater exposure of Australian music and musicians, and better national-state coordination and alignment across sectors. The Summit briefing papers and full summaries are available at www.mca.org.au/web/content/view/268/50

Music Council of Australia National Assembly

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