The library building, designed by Sir Leslie Martin, was opened in 1984 and offers the following facilities:
- a reading room and open access library collection
- a reference area with catalogue terminals, catalogues and reference books
- an audio room with several listening places, facilities for DIY copying of recordings, computers, printing and copying facilities, and an electronic legal deposit terminal
- a multimedia/group study room with electronic keyboards and audiovisual equipment (situated in the Library Annexe)
- the Dent room with digital microfilm reader/scanner and facsimile collections
Note on photocopying and copyright
The photocopying of copyright material is restricted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (and later amendments) and EU legislation. Users must satisfy themselves that any copying they undertake is legal. Guidelines on copying (incl. the MPA Code of Fair Practice for printed music) are displayed in the library. Useful links can be found on the IAML (UK&Irl) copyright pages.
