PubMed Central: offering a trove of historical medical journals

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2025.2235

Keywords:

biomedical journals, Historical Medical Archive, Digitization, Articles, PubMed Central

Abstract

This article briefly documents the history and significance of PubMed Central (PMC) Journal Backfiles Digitization, 2004-2024 to raise awareness of this open access project among researchers who will find much to discover to advance understanding about the human condition across time and place. The success of PMC Journal Backfiles Digitization—including the interdisciplinary teamwork and partnerships underpinning it— provides a blueprint for future efforts to make the globally appreciated collections of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) accessible to all. By continuing to prioritize open access, teamwork, and partnerships, NLM and likeminded institutions can ensure that knowledge and data inform the advancement of medicine and public health.

Author Biographies

Jeffrey S. Reznick, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health

Jeffrey S. Reznick, PhD, jeffrey.reznick@nih.gov, Senior Historian, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Kathryn Funk

Kathryn Funk, MLIS, kathryn.funk@nih.gov, Supervisory Technical Information Specialist, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Laura Randall, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health

Laura Randall, laura.randall@nih.gov, Technical Information Specialist, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Katy Rose Taylor, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health

Katy Rose Taylor, MSLS, katy.taylor@nih.gov, Technical Information Specialist, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Katherine Chan, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health

Katherine Chan, MLS, katie.chan@nih.gov, Program Analyst (Evaluation and Data), National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

Ellen Adams, BLH Technologies, Inc.

Ellen Adams, MLIS, ellenpadams@gmail.com, BLH Technologies, Inc., Rockville, MD.

References

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Nix, T; Funk, K; Reznick, J; Zellers, E. PubMed Central: Visualizing a Historical Treasure Trove. 23 February 2016 [cited 28 April 2025]. In: Circulating Now: From the Historical Collections of the National Library of Medicine. Available from: <https://circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/2016/02/23/pubmed-central-visualizing-a-historical-treasure-trove/>.

Dunne K; Koyle. K; Reznick, J. What’s Old Is New to Discover! NLM Musings from the Mezzanine. 20 September 2023 [cited 28 April 2025]. In: Musings from the Mezzanine: Innovations in Heath Information from the National Library of Medicine. Available from <https://nlmdirector.nlm.nih.gov/2023/09/20/whats-old-is-new-to-discover/>.

Reznick J; Henshaw, C; Randall, L; Leiderman, R; Funk, K. PubMed Central Offers a Historical Treasure Trove. 4 August 2019 [cited 28 April 2025]. In: History News Network. Available from: https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/pubmed-central-offers-a-historical-treasure-trove>.

Dunne K; Reznick, J. The Medical Bulletin and So Much More. Circulating Now from the NLM Historical Collections. 8 February 2024 [cited 28 April 2025] In: Circulating Now: From the Historical Collections of the National Library of Medicine. Available from: <https://circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/2024/02/08/the-medical-bulletin-and-so-much-more/>.

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Published

2025-10-23

Issue

Section

History Matters