Techniques such as datasets in spreadsheets behind graphs, dynamic lists of citing papers, e-mail notification of citing papers are commonplace. These, plus basic hyperlinks and full text searching, make Web journals easier to access and more useful than paper journals. Material frequently appears earlier online than on paper.
Many journals publish material, including peer-reviewed articles, only online.
The paper journal no longer serves as the archive of science. Librarians have confidence in their ability to provide readers with access to material published on paper, even if it is centuries old. Preservation is a by-product of the need to distribute copies to provide access. Paper journal subscriptions provide libraries with an archival copy of the content. Librarians are skeptical about their ability to provide long-term access to materials published on the Web.