More than a year ago IBVS established the collected section for "Reports on new discoveries" of variables, and shortly after "Observations of / information on variables". The intention was to make even those results publicly available which alone were not enough for a separate, full paper. At that time, IBVS was the only refereed scientific journal, where such minor contributions could appear. These two sections became very popular, small notes are now submitted in a fast growing number.

At present both the GCVS and the AAVSO teams start new issues (Peremennye Zvezdy, and Variable Star Index - AAVSO, as well as eJAAVSO) to publish electronically new information on variable stars.

These new possibilities led us to reconsider our publishing policy. In this announcement, after consulting with the IBVS Editorial Board and with N. Samus (Editor in chief of GCVS, and Peremennye Zvezdy) and A. Henden (Director, AAVSO) we give a clear outline what kind of papers will be accepted by IBVS, particularly to the collected issues, in the future. The other new publication possibilities guarantee that new discoveries, minor results and corrections (of ephemeris, type etc.) not accepted to appear in IBVS may also become publicly available.

The acceptance policy to the main part of IBVS, as given in the latest Editorial Note, (date 4 May 2004) is unchanged. We would like to stress, that results based on visual observations, as a rule, are not accepted, we make exceptions only for very important scientific cases.

To the "Reports on new discoveries" collected section of IBVS only the scientifically interesting cases are accepted (see as example (IBVS No. 5600/87: brightest southern RRc star, 5600/89: FUor? EXor?, 5700/4: EA/RS variable). Individual notes and/or lists of new variables, based on data mining, provided all necessary information are available such as full light curve and variability type, can be directed to the restarted, electronic journal Peremennye Zvezdy. New discoveries with less information could be sent in the future to the Variable Star Index (VSX), that is established by AAVSO.

The "Observations of / information on variables" accepts in the future original new data, in well established, known photometric systems, on scientifically important known variables. Exceptionally, IBVS might accept data on remarkably interesting variables, made in not recognized photometric systems.

The editors decide if a note is sent to a referee, or, in case of not enough information content, is returned to the author(s).

The new publication policy for the "Reports on new discoveries" and for the "Observations of / information on variables" starts with the new volume of IBVS, from No. 5701 onwards.

For further details of other publication possibilites see the announcements of Peremennye Zvezdy and VSX, published separately, but together with this note, in the IBVS Announcements (http://www.konkoly.hu/IBVS/announc.html).

The Editors