IAML Prague Congress Diary #2: First-time Board Member Perspective (UK)

The following Congress Diary has reached us from Anna Pensaert (Cambridge University Library and the Pendlebury Library of Music, UK):

Prague 2022 was my first in person congress as a Board member. In 2020 and 2021 the Board had been very busy meeting online, finding our place in and working our way through some very challenging times. Having been one of the vice presidents for three years, I now finally had the opportunity to take part in the welcome session for first time attendees and the in-person congress Board meetings. It was great to be able to attend the Forum of National Representatives and the Forum of Sections. We also managed a mini hybrid joint meeting with the DAMO Committees (Development, Advocacy, Membership, Outreach), my specific area of vice-presidential responsibility. So now I’m starting to feel I may more or less be getting on top of everything.

I hugely enjoyed attending sessions is the various splendid rooms, catching up with IAML friends and making new contacts during the lavishly catered for breaks and the newly organised make-IAML-friends Thursday evening dinner. One of my favourite things ever at IAML congresses are library tours so in addition to a visit to the National Library, I picked the busman’s holiday Wednesday afternoon tour, on the historical tram to the Bohuslav Martinů Institute. It was great to see splendid special collections in beautiful locations. 

With IAML 2023 in Cambridge on the horizon, I looked at the Congress from a rather different perspective than usual and have come home with lots of logistical memos on top of the notes from inspiring talks. I hope everyone managed to get back home safely and am already looking forward to next year. But I will of course be seeing some of you during the online sessions throughout the year as well.