Purpose – Information about the former and current status of many scientific journals is summarized. Design/methodology/approach – Newly-created journals (sometimes based on old ones), cessation of issues, journals incorporated into others, merged and split journals are mentioned. Information about a large number of scientific publishers (publishing houses, scientific institutions and organizations, educational institutions, societies, associations, federations, unions and companies) which make a significant contribution to printed and electronic output are noted. The web addresses of electronic libraries, information networks, search systems, databases and catalogs of natural-scientific literature are collected. Findings – It behoves scientists, who profess to disseminate scientific knowledge, to avail themselves of the myriad information sources on offer. Originality/value – This is possibly the first attempt to embrace comprehensively and in minute detail the vast field of information on the sources of contemporary sciences and their representative bodies.