In December I posted a message about the Public Library of Science
(PLoS) and their aim of making scientific journals more available to
the general public. In reply to my message it was suggested that
this was not a proper aim for scientific journals. I see that they
have now developed a set of principles, number 9 of which says:
From http://www.publiclibraryofscience.org/about/principles.html
"Public resource. Our mission of building a public library of science
includes not only providing unrestricted access to scientific
research ideas and discoveries, but developing tools and materials to
engage the interest and imagination of the public and helping non-
scientists to understand and enjoy scientific discoveries and the
scientific process. "
They now promise that "a concise synopsis of every paper will be
written by a professional science writer. This will help to explain
the significance of the work to readers outside the scientific
community."
Interesting to see that the current BMJ issue is entirely devoted to
and aimed at patients. Lynn Eaton, the guest editor says they have
"experimented with the most effective delivery for a journal which
might, by 2013, engage not only doctors but interested non-medics as
well".
http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7402/1275
I think we are seeing the early stages of an evolution in the role of
journal literature.
Frank Norman, Librarian. National Institute for Medical Research
The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
tel 020 8816 2227 fax 020 8816 2230 email [log in to unmask]
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