The limbo of this extended quarantine has forced us all into a state of increased resourcefulness. This has been especially true for artists, curators and musicians, whose outlets for sharing their work have been swiftly limited to laptops and balconies.

Take David Plylar, senior concert producer in the music division at the Library of Congress. In considering how he could continue the library's mission to commission new music (about 600 pieces since 1925), Plylar reached for an idea he's had on his bookshelf for 20 years.