From the President

Dear EURASLIC members, 

Nollaig Shona Daoibh, an Irish Christmas greeting to you all. 

As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I am filled with gratitude and pride for the incredible work and dedication shown by our community. I am delighted to take this opportunity to reflect on 2024 and highlight some of the wonderful adventures and achievements from our people, as well as taking the time to say goodbye to others.  

This year has been particularly special for IAMSLIC in general, as we celebrated the 50th Annual IAMSLIC Conference in the historic city of Alexandria, Egypt. The conference, themed "Shining a Light," was a beacon of knowledge and collaboration, reflecting the guiding role of libraries and information centres in navigating the vast ocean of knowledge.

The conference was a resounding success, thanks to the efforts of the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF) and the AFRIAMSLIC Regional Group. We were privileged to have insightful presentations, engaging workshops, and meaningful discussions that highlighted the importance of our work in aquatic and marine science libraries. The hybrid format allowed for a diverse range of participants, both in-person and virtual, ensuring that our global community could come together to share and learn. We had three EURASLIC members attend in person, and many more join online. You can read my full account of the conference in this newsletter. 

Important announcement

Preparations are underway for our 21st Biennial Conference next year and I am thrilled to announce that it will be held in the beautiful city of Pisa, Italy. We will be hosted by The Institute of Information Science and Technologies (ISTI), an institute of the Italian National Research Council (CNR).

This symbolic milestone, representing our continued growth and resilience, will be jointly hosted with ASFA and GreyNet International. The conference will focus on Enhancing Global Collaboration and Innovation in Aquatic Sciences and the Shared Impact of Grey Literature. It promises to be a fantastic event. We will announce the Spring dates for #Pisa2025 in the coming weeks once all is confirmed. After hearing about the Rosetta Stone in Egypt this year, it might be prudent to engage with the modern version and start practicing your Italian while you wait! 

Fun fact: Did you know that Pisa is not only famous for its Leaning Tower but also for being the birthplace of the renowned scientist Galileo Galilei? His contributions to science have left an indelible mark on history, much like our work in the field of aquatic sciences

News from our members

As we look back on 2024, we also celebrate the achievements within EURASLIC. Our members have continued to innovate and support each other, fostering a spirit of collaboration and excellence. The initiatives and projects undertaken this year have further strengthened our network and enhanced our ability to serve our respective communities. You can read about some of the conferences, events and activities attended by the community in this newsletter.  

Elections for our Executive Board will take place next year, with the new board announced at our upcoming conference and we encourage you all to consider getting involved. Our long standing archivist Malgorzata Grabowska-Popow is retired, as is Natalja Kondratjeva and we wish them well in respective their new life adventures. Andreas Walker is leaving the board to pursue a new career as Lecturer in Library Science and our EURASLIC member Olena Mykhalechko has moved on from her current role of librarian at the Institute of marine biology, NAS of Ukraine. 

This year, we hope to recruit more members to join our vibrant community. Your participation and engagement are what make EURASLIC a thriving network, and we look forward to welcoming new faces and fresh ideas.

Let's continue to build on our successes and make 2025 an even more impactful year. Stay connected, get involved, and let's make a difference together!

In the spirit of the holiday season, on behalf of the Executive Board, may we wish you all a joyous and restful Christmas. May the New Year bring you health, happiness, and continued success in all your endeavours.

Warm regards,

Stephanie Ronan
EURASLIC President