Preparations

As the Congress approaches, materials are being prepared and shipped for the IUCr exhibition booth in Osaka. At this Congress, we are highlighting the major developments from the IUCr editorial office in the last three years:

• the continued development of the IUCr journals online
• the conversion of Acta E to a fully open-access journal
• the introduction of enhanced interactive figures to all the journals
• hyperlinking of articles to the Online Dictionary of Crystallography and other sources
• continuing development of International Tables Online
• the relaunch of the IUCr web site

IUCr publications on display will include Crystallography Across the Sciences 2, a hardback reprint of the January 2008 issue of Acta Crystallographica Section A that celebrates 60 years of Acta Crystallographica and the IUCr, and - hot off the press - the third edition of International Tables Volume B. We are also pleased to show on our stand materials of interest to the crystallographic community from smaller publishers or producers. This time, we are happy to display copies of the illustrated companion to the recent Wellcome Trust exhibition From Atoms to Patterns - Crystal Structure Designs from the 1951 Festival of Britain and of Experimental Foundations of Structural Chemistry by S. Batsanov, published by Moscow University Press.

The promotional materials include posters for the individual journals against an appropriate scenic backdrop (see illustrations) and updated leaflets describing each title, in many cases to reflect the new Section Editors who will take up the reins after the Congress.

It is always a pleasure to visit a new location, and we have been overwhelmed by the kindness and helpfulness of our hosts, who have done everything possible to prepare the way for our arrival. It has also been a great help that the IUCr President, Professor Ohashi, belongs to the host nation, and has been able (and very willing) to liaise between us and the local organizing committee.

Every Congress appears to be more exciting than its predecessors, and this one promises to follow in the same tradition. We are looking forward to meeting everyone at our booth and throughout the Congress!

From the IUCr Staff