IAML Online Meeting Diary #1: Carolyn Dow, Lincoln City Libraries (retired): While IAML’s 2020 virtual conference was not the Congress in Prague we had been anticipating, it was a wonderful week of interacting with and learning from our colleagues all around the world. Sessions throughout the week were offered at different times, allowing participants in different time zones some convenient sessions. Overall, the focus of the week was on our libraries’ (and institution’s) responses to Covid-19. What I took from the week was that we can learn from each other’s responses, no matter the library sector, or the location, or the extent of the pandemic, even though we are all in unique situations.

In preparation for the IAML Online 2020 meeting, the IAML Treasurer, Thomas Kalk, has made the audited accounts for 2019 available on the meeting page. These will be discussed during the meeting week.

Please be aware that the production of Fontes Artis Musicae's paper version is delayed due to the Coronavirus crisis. Printers and mailers in the US have suspended their operations. Our publisher, A-R Editions, will have Fontes paper copies printed and mailed as soon as possible. But at this time, there is no way of telling when operations will resume and especially international mailing can be guaranteed.

The IAML Board invites participation in a series of online meetings in the week of 20 July. Timed to coincide with the dates of the postponed IAML Congress in Prague, these sessions will provide an opportunity for colleagues to connect, report on current activities and projects, and discuss issues of professional concern.  The meetings will take place using the Zoom platform and will be scheduled to last up to 90 minutes each. The deadline for registration is Friday 17 July.

IAML has singed the open letter "Investing in Europe’s next generation by investing in culture".  This statement was initiated by a number of organisations including IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association), the European Booksellers Federation and others; the European Music Council (EMC) was consulted on this paper.