Annals of the ESA one of 100 Most Influential Journals

Lanham, MD; May 4, 2009 – A poll conducted by the BioMedical & Life Sciences Division (DBIO) [2] of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) to identify the 100 most influential journals of biology and medicine over the last 100 years listed Annals of the Entomological Society of America among them. In the poll, 686 DBIO members participated, choosing Annals as the overwhelming winner of the “Journals of Land Invertebrates” category.

“It is always a pleasure to have confirmation that our journal is doing what it is supposed to do: convey accurate, interesting research to the community of scientists and enthusiasts who comprise our readership,” said Larry E. Hurd, the journal’s editor-in-chief. “And it is especially nice to be included among the most influential scientific journals in biology and medicine as determined by the SLA. Annals owes this honor to more than 100 years of authors, editors, and reviewers, and on behalf of the journal I pledge our continuing efforts to provide a home for top-quality publications in the field of entomology.”

According to Tony Stankus, life sciences librarian and professor at the University of Arkansas who served as final editor of the poll, “All DBIO members have at least an accredited master’s degree in library and information studies, and many possess additional credentials in biology or one of the medical or allied health sciences. The most common type of member is employed by a U.S. News & World Report Top 50 National Research University or Top 50 National Liberal Arts College as the top biology or life sciences librarian.”

The poll’s questions were developed by the DBIO Natural History Expert Panel, consisting of Lori Bronars, Kline Science Library at Yale University; Eleanor MacLean, Life Sciences Library at McGill University in Montreal, Canada; and Constance Rinaldo, head of the Ernst Mayr Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University.

Publishers of the top 100 journals will be honored June 16, 2009 at an awards ceremony at the DBIO Centennial Conference in Washington, D.C., where the winners of the “DBIO Top 10,” chosen from among the top 100, will be announced.

A full list of the top 100 journals is available here [2].

Founded in 1889, ESA is a non-profit organization committed to serving the scientific and professional needs of nearly 6,000 entomologists and individuals in related disciplines. ESA's membership includes representatives from educational institutions, government, health agencies, and private industry. More information on ESA is available at http://www.entsoc.org [3].

Contact: Richard Levine, 301-731-4535, ext. 3009, or rlevine@entsoc.org [4].  

###