Historical Note about BMB	The Bulletin of Mathematical Biology is the official research publication of the Society For Mathematical Biology . BMB was originally called the Bulletin of Mathematical Biophysics when it was founded by Nicholas Rashevsky prior to 1972. When Rashevsky died, Mrs. Rashevsky transferred the ownership to Herb Landahl, who subsequently transferred it to SMB. Originally, BMB focused on abstract and theoretical work. Since Lee Segel took over as editor, in 1984, the emphasis has shifted to a greater biologically-relevant content, at the interface of theoretical and experimental biology.

Many members of the Society for Mathematical Biology take for granted the arrival of the six issues of the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology every year. This inexpensive and convenient research journal keeps us current, and brings many interesting and informative articles directly to our desks. The SMB membership fee of US $50 for full members pays $36 to the BMB publisher, Elsevier. Only $14 from each regular member is returned to the Society. For students, who get membership to SMB at the low rate of US $25, this journal is a particular bargain, as it is subsidized by the Society: Each student membership is topped up by $11 from SMB funds to bring the journal subscription to our young members.

But a price for these unusually low Society fees is exacted ! In recent years, to cover the costs of printing and processing, our publisher has dramatically increased the cost of the Bulletin to institutional subscribers (e.g. libraries), with the result that many libraries have cancelled their subscription. Have you checked your local library for BMB recently? Even if you have a desk-copy of the Bulletin, consider these important reasons for having your institution subscribe: (1) availability of back issues, and ongoing issues to students, colleagues, and others who have interdisciplinary interests. (2) Ensuring the continuity of the archives in Mathematical Biology at a time when this area is becoming more important and timely. (3) Ensuring that the work of your colleagues and members of your profession is made available to as wide a readership as possible.

Though it may be tempting to ignore your library shortfall when BMB arrives promptly at your desk, and though there may be pressure to donate your (subsidized) copy to others or to the local library. Consider the fact that this hurts the Society for Mathematical Biology, whose health and vigor is intimately dependent on a healty and vigorous BMB.

SMB is concerned about library attrition, and we are working in several directions to save our precious journal's wide dissemination. (A) We have opened up BMB for bids from competing publishers in an effort to get the best product for the most reasonable arrangement, and to win back the libraries that cancelled their subscription. (B) We ask you, our members to (a) talk to your librarians about keeping and renewing BMB : indicate your interest in preserving this journal on your University campus. (b) Find out what your library is prepared to pay for a continuing subscription (this helps our negotiations with the publishers) (c) Take an active role in promoting and showing pride in this fine journal. Thank you for your part in keeping our Society strong and healthy !

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