OLSPub

• What does OLSPub stand for?

OLSPub is the working title and means "Open life science publication database".

• What is the goal of OLSPub?

The project will develop an open, reliable and sustainable alternative to the PubMed database. On the one hand, it will provide the currently available PubMed content, and on the other, it will offer a technical and administrative framework for continuous expansion with new publications. The aim is to strengthen the resilience and independence of the life sciences research infrastructure in Europe.

• What role does CrossRef play in the project and how do you work with publishers?

Crossref already provides some metadata, but abstracts, for example, are missing. ZB MED is in dialogue with individual publishers and is pursuing a centralised approach via the STM group. The publisher Frontiers has already agreed to provide data. Other publishers are expected to follow. Plan A is direct co-operation with publishers, Plan B is the use of Crossref plus Open Abstracts. Political communication is necessary to convince the publishers.

• How many team members will be needed to set up the new database?

Based on experience with LIVIVO, a manageable number is assumed for the basic version.

• What will happen with LIVIVO - will it run in parallel or will it be integrated?

LIVIVO will continue to run in parallel, as it serves a different target group and also includes German-language texts and other sources. A later merge is not ruled out.

• Why is a new system being set up instead of using existing systems such as Europe PMC or OpenAlex?

Those responsible are in dialogue with institutions working in this direction and would like to use open source technologies. So far, however, no solution has been found that could be adopted directly. Co-operations are still being sought.

• Are other metadata sources, such as DOIs, also taken into account?

The project addresses various sources, including CrossRef and open metadata such as OpenAlex. Everything that can contribute efficiently to data coverage is included.

• Which existing databases have been considered so far as possible alternatives or collaborations?

EuropePMC (EMBL-EBI) / OpenAlex (OurResearch) are based on PubMed data
Embase, Scopus (Elsevier B.V.) / Web of Science (Clarivate) are fee-based
LIVIVO (ZB MED) is based on PubMed data
The project managers are basically open to all substantial alternatives, such as GLEN, which has not yet been tested.

• How often should the database and platform be updated?

It is planned to provide a daily XML file via an FTPS server, similar to PubMed. ZB MED already saves PubMed data daily as a backup.

• Is an API interface and a replacement for Entrez Utilities planned?

Yes, both an FTP server for transferring publisher data and an API for users are to be provided. The aim is to create an Entrez replacement in which only the endpoints are exchanged but the keywords remain the same.

• Will there be a working group for the maintenance of the XML tagging guidelines?

One work package is dedicated to data collection and enrichment. The expansion and maintenance of corresponding standards is being considered and will be worked out in detail as part of the project. This aspect will be taken into account for publishers in particular.

• How will the controlled vocabulary (MeSH) be handled and further developed?

The project will start with the existing MeSH. A completely new development is not realistic in the planned 18-month period, but structures are being prepared for further development at a later date.

• How are the journals to be indexed selected?

It is planned to set up an editorial committee and develop standards for journal selection. Initially, we will work with the current PubMed journal list.

• Will European preprints and open peer reviews also be included in the database?

This is not planned in the current project proposal. However, those responsible are open to corresponding requests from the community and are looking into integrating them at a later date.

• How will the financial and governance resilience of the project be ensured? Should a consortium or node structure with European core members be established?

Those responsible believe that a distributed, federated approach is important, involving the entire community as a stakeholder. A European solution is being sought and will be concretised as part of the project. This project should be the starting point.

• How will national consortia and publishers be involved to ensure the provision of metadata?

Those responsible welcome the idea that national consortia could include the provision of metadata about the project in new contracts. There is already contact with the GASCO consortium.

• How willing are publishers to cooperate and what happens if some do not want to participate?

Not all publishers have agreed so far. Political and community support is needed to convey the urgency. Communication takes place at European level.

• Is input from publishers required?

There are already contacts with publishers to extract data. Positive feedback has been received in particular from Frontiers and other open access publishers.

• Are there initiatives to involve the healthcare sector, which has different financial resources than the research and library sector?

Those responsible communicate widely and also approach politicians in a targeted manner. After submitting a proposal, work continues to raise awareness. The DFG has already made contact at an early stage, and additional resources from other sources would be welcome.

• Is the National Library of Medicine (NLM) willing to cooperate?

ZB MED has collaborated with the NLM on various projects in the past. For example, ZB MED produces the German edition of the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). The framework conditions could currently change.

• Where can I find up-to-date information on the progress of the project?

This project website is being gradually expanded.

• Can I support the project with a Letter of Support?

Both institutions and publishers can express their support. Information can be found on this project website

• Who has supported the project so far with a Letter of Support?

You can find the list of supporters above. The list is constantly updated.

• How can I subscribe to the mailing list?

To the mailing list

• What is the timeline for the OLSPub project?

The project proposal will be submitted to the DFG in May 2025. A decision is expected in the course of summer 2025.

• Can the functionality of LIVIVO be expanded as an interim solution until the new database is ready?

LIVIVO already contains the data from PubMed. The project plan is designed in such a way that work on setting up the metadata, the search interface etc. will be started in parallel. Services will be released at an early stage, even if they are not yet perfect. On the one hand, this offers the opportunity to obtain feedback, and on the other hand, it means that a switch to an ‘emergency version’ can be made at an early stage. Those responsible emphasise that exceptional times also require exceptional procedures and that the plan will be adjusted if necessary.