Surveys of membership organizations (both numismatic and otherwise) typically confirm one fact:that members view a publication as the primary tangible benefit of membership.

Each week in Coin World's offices, we get publications from organizations across thecountry, big and small. Some are excellent publications with a regional emphasis, such as TheCalifornia Numismatist or the Central States Numismatic Society's quarterly TheCentinel.

Others are specialty publications with in-depth research of the sort that is necessary for thegrowth of numismatics, but goes beyond what a mainstream publication like Coin World canpublish.

As publications - both commercial and nonprofit - move toward digital platforms, they must becareful not to alienate their print subscribers.

Our own surveys confirm that a surprisingly high percentage of Coin World's audience doesnot use computers for their collecting and that they view printed publications as providing a breakfrom the normal day. Further, in removing the print publication, a club risks losing members.Member engagement and happiness need to be weighed against any cost savings when a move todiscontinue a club's publication is under consideration.

There are ways to reach new audiences without alienating existing members, such as theNumismatic Bibliomania Society's excellent (and free) weekly email E-Sylum, whichcomplements its print journal The Asylum.

It is sometimes forgotten that behind all of these publications are patient, dedicated editorsand writers who often work solely in a volunteer capacity. The quality of research in manyspecialty publications has never been higher, and they provide a wonderful complement to morebroad-ranging publications like Coin World.