Within the realm of knowledge production, the preservation of scientific journals has always been a matter of concern. While the responsibility for safeguarding printed publications has predominantly fallen on librarians, the advent of digital publishing and, specifically, the introduction of open access (OA) has brought ambiguity and complexity to this domain. Consequently, the long-term accessibility of journals is not always guaranteed, with the risk of them disappearing entirely from the web.

Preserving open access scientific journals holds immense significance in the academic community. These journals serve as vital repositories of knowledge, containing valuable research findings, scholarly articles, and intellectual discourse. Ensuring their long-term accessibility is crucial for the continuity of scientific progress and the advancement of various fields of study.

In the early days of scientific publishing, the responsibility for journal preservation mainly rested on librarians. Printed publications were carefully stored, cataloged, and maintained within the confines of libraries, ensuring that future generations could access them for reference and research purposes. However, as technology advanced and the world embraced the digital era, the landscape of scientific publishing underwent a profound transformation.

With the emergence of digital publishing platforms, scientific journals found new avenues for dissemination and accessibility. The concept of open access gained traction, allowing unrestricted access to scholarly articles and making them available to a global audience. While this shift brought numerous benefits, it also presented challenges that required immediate attention.

The transition to digital publishing and open access brought ambiguities and complexities in ensuring the long-term accessibility of scientific journals. Unlike their printed counterparts, digital publications are subject to various risks, such as technological obsolescence, hardware failures, and changes in web infrastructure. These factors can pose a threat to the preservation of scientific knowledge, potentially resulting in the loss of valuable research.

In a comprehensive study conducted by M. Laakso, M. Matthias, and N. Jahn, the issue of disappearing scientific journals came to light. Their research, published in 2021, examined the period between 2000 and 2019 and encompassed a wide range of research disciplines and geographical regions worldwide. The study revealed alarming cases of journals vanishing from the digital world, raising concerns about the future accessibility of scientific knowledge.

Given the critical importance of scientific journals and the risks associated with their long-term accessibility, the need for preservation initiatives becomes evident. This webinar aims to discuss ongoing national and international efforts in digitally preserving open access scientific journals. In addition to collaborative endeavors between libraries, academic institutions, and publishers to develop comprehensive preservation strategies, protecting scientific journals for future generations.