DeNardo, G.

Published in No. 186, Fall 2010

A lot has changed in the way journals are produced and distributed since the first issue of the Bulletin appeared in the mid-1960s. Advancements in the processes of publishing and the sharing of information made throughout this period exceed what even the most imaginative minds thought possible when this journal was launched. Was it really that long ago when Penni Stroberger was Business Manager and maintained handwritten ledgers, or when Martha L. Alwes was Production Editor and used procedures we consider archaic in the 21st century?

It has always been a challenge for a department within a college or university to independently operate all facets of publishing an academic journal. Ventures made by others to publish music education research journals such as the Bulletin have typically not experienced similar levels of reputation and longevity. Like me, previous editors realized that delivering music education research to the widest, most-diversified audiences through the most current publication venues was a central mission. The option of receiving an online version of the Bulletin hosted by University of Illinois Press is a current example of progress being made to maximize readership (http://bcrme.press.illinois.edu/).

A positive relationship is being established with the University of Illinois Press (UIP) that holds promise for essential rejuvenation and marked growth of this journal. The Bulletin and UIP are separate, non-profit enterprises held by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. For this reason, I feel comfortable exploring options such as entering the Bulletin into the JSTOR Current Scholarship Program (CSP) under the auspices of UIP. This would offer subscribers a state-of-the-art online platform for content from the first to the most recent issue of the Bulletin. In addition, it would provide a global sales and marketing effort to the 6,000+ library customers served by JSTOR. My goal is to increase readership so that Bulletin content is made available to more researchers and practitioners as the number and quality of manuscript submissions continues to flourish. The JSTOR Current Scholarship Program deserves full consideration as an option for securing continued viability of the Bulletin (http://www.press.uillinois.edu/journals/uip_jstor.html).

The Bulletin Advisory Committee will guide future decisions along with thoughts from readers who wish to contribute to the conversation.

Gregory DeNardo