Abstract
The ‘new look’ of JFMS signifies some important developments for a journal that is ready to advance to the next level of publishing.
Welcome to the ‘new look’ Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery! The new cover design signifies some important developments for your journal.
When JFMS was first launched in 1999, we had partnered with Saunders and Harcourt. Shortly thereafter, the journal became part of the Elsevier group, with its acquisition of Harcourt. During the past 12–18 months we have been going through the process of re-evaluating our publishing arrangements. We wanted to make sure that we were continuing to deliver the best possible value for money to our members and readers; importantly, too, we wanted to ensure that we would remain ahead of the game in the field of electronic publishing and the benefits this can bring to JFMS.
We looked at several potential publishers for JFMS during a lengthy tendering process. We are delighted to say that at the end of that process we found a new publishing partner in SAGE, who we believe will be able to work with us in taking JFMS to the next level. The first obvious change as a result of this new partnership is the redesign of the ‘look’ of JFMS – while many elements of the old style have been retained so that the journal is instantly recognisable, other features have changed and there is now a closer integration of both ‘classic’ and ‘clinical practice’ issues.
More important than the style though is the reasoning behind this change. One of the immediate benefits that all our members will receive is being able to download a complete ‘cover to cover’ PDF issue of JFMS via the Highwire Press site that hosts the online version of the journal. This has been a key short-term goal, as being able to download a whole issue electronically becomes more important in the age of the iPad and the Kindle. Also with immediate effect, member access to JFMS online (which includes the full back archive) will be simplified – and routed via the ISFM and AAFP websites. These are but the first steps in improving the electronic platform for JFMS. Many other changes will follow in the future and we are excited to be working with a progressive and innovative publishing company – a company, in fact, that shares the same ethos as ISFM and AAFP.
We are delighted, too, that the move to SAGE comes at a time when JFMS has achieved its highest ever impact factor – 1.681 – and is ranked number 21 out of 145 journals in the veterinary sciences category of the citation list. This is a great achievement and one that we could not have managed without all our authors, reviewers and editorial board – a big thanks to all! We hope, after your first look, you decide that you, the members of ISFM or AAFP, or as a non-member subscriber, like what you see. Please let us know!
ISFM, Taeselbury, High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6LD, UK Email:
catsINK, 4381 Gladstone Street, Vancouver BC, Canada V5N 4Z4 Email: