"A vital, but unofficial, part of my early music training came from regular visits, on the way home from school, to our local public library which included a music room, stocked with contemporary scores and recordings as well as the classics; and a knowledgeable, encouraging music librarian looking after them. At university, my college also had its own music library, and musically expert custodian. What great ‘library luck’! I would like to see widely accessible opportunities like these return all round the UK, in 21st century form."

“I feel very strongly, having used the internet for the past 20 years, that the library still offers innumerable advantages. On the internet, if you don't know something's there, or that it exists, you might never come across it. Exploring a library is vastly more educative and enlightening. I can honestly say I would not be doing what I now do without the libraries I've been fortunate enough to frequent. For example, my very first library was Swiss Cottage Library run by Camden. It had one of the best music collections - they bought records (in those days) and scores in tandem so by and large when you could hear something you could study it too. And that is how I learnt to read a full score.”

"Music in libraries has long been part of my life: I’ve used libraries since I was a kid, borrowed recordings and scores, learnt repertoire too often long forgotten but rediscovered in libraries. I'm a music archivist myself, I've rescued music, given it to libraries, created my own unique library, and so much of my professional work, as for all musicians, is underpinned by music libraries."

"I am pleased to be a patron of The Music Libraries Trust and support its vital work."