Jahrbuch Project Wins PAM Award

The first reviewing publication in mathematics, the Jahrbuch über die Fortschritte der Mathematik was published from 1869 until 1943 and reviewed more than 200,000 items in its 68 volumes. Its coverage of the mathematical literature was thorough, and it remains an important research tool today.

In the late 1990s the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) funded the conversion of the JFM into an enhanced electronic database with the goal of using it to guide the digitization of the important mathematics of that period. The project was carried out at the Niedersächsische Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Göttingen (SUB Göttingen) and involved more than 150 mathematicians along with librarians. Today the ERAM (Electronic Research Archive for Mathematics), also known as the Jahrbuch Project, has been completed and is now an integral part of the research tools of the discipline.

The Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics Division of Special Libraries Association recognized this great achievement by awarding the Jahrbuch Project the PAM Division Award for 2005. The project editors were Prof. Dr. Bernd Wegner (TU Berlin), long-time editor-in-chief of Zentralblatt für Mathematik, and Professor Keith Dennis, former editor-in-chief of Mathematical Reviews.

The PAM Division Award reads: “The award should be given for a significant contribution to the literature of physics, mathematics or astronomy or to honor work that demonstrably improves the exchange of information in physics, mathematics or astronomy. The contribution should also significantly benefit libraries or enhance the ability of librarians to provide service. It should be special — above and beyond the normal job requirements of the individual(s) or group concerned.

“The ERAM or Jahrbuch Project is perfectly suited for this award. Mathematics librarians and researchers around the world depend daily on this enhancement to our research tools. Dr. Wegner and Dr. Dennis, we thank you for the creation of this unique, freely accessible database and archive of mathematics literature. And we applaud you and your colleagues for your foresight, determination, and high standards. Congratulations on this award.”

Last modified: July 21, 2005