As we read from our colleague Santie de Jongh on IAML-L earlier this week, there is a new resource from South Africa: the Directory of South African Music Collections (link is external). Its goal is to "collat[e] information on special music collections in South Africa in order to stimulate music research on South African materials in South Africa and internationally." It includes information from 37 institutions and will continue to grow.

There is currently a major dispute going on between DIAMM (Digital Image Archive of Medieval Music) and IMSLP (International Music Score Library Project) over the latter's copying of free manuscript images from DIAMM with consequent invalidations of DIAMM's contracts with some owning libraries. IMSLP is saying the images are out there so they are free to use but DIAMM says that because of this some libraries have already withdrawn images and others might well refuse to allow further digitization. There has been a lot of discussion on MLA-L and on the IMSLP forums. This needs to be brought to the attention of the international music librarian community and your reactions are welcome.

The preliminary programme for Antwerp 2014 IAML Conference is now available.

All best wishes for 2014 to our Latvian Colleagues!:

* Riga - European Capital of Culture 2014
* Opening of the new National Library of Latvia in 29 August, 2014
* The Exhibition "Book 1514-2014" - one of the most important events of "the European Capital of Culture 2014"

Veslemöy Heintz, Honorary Member of IAML and President 1995-1998, has received "Medaljen för Tonkonstens Främjande". This is the most prestigious award given by the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. The medal has been awarded since 1945 during a ceremony at the Academy to highly deserving individuals for significant contributions in the promotion of Swedish Music.