The National Library of Medicine (USA) held a meeting in 1987 of publishers and papermakers to discuss preservation problems. Medical journals published on acid paper are deteriorating rapidly to a useless state. Publication on alkaline paper would reduce the problem in the future. The biggest obstacle appeared to be the lack of a light-weight permanent coated paper suitable for this use. Various other alternatives were suggested, including special library editions, the use of CD-ROM, and deacidification. Publishers that already use permanent paper are listed.