The surface spectroscopy community shares high-quality spectral data on hundreds of materials by means of the AVS Surface Science Database. Most of the shared spectral data is obtained by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, but Auger electron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, electron energy loss spectroscopy and other techniques are also represented. This database effort, named SURFACE SCIENCE SPECTRA, was launched in 1992. The SSS developers benchmarked and built upon the database efforts made for other kinds of spectroscopies (such as infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and x-ray diffraction), but were also attentive to the special needs in the surface science community. The contributors to the spectral database are from the worldwide surface science community at large (more than 450 individual contributors from more than 110 different institutions). The evaluators of the database are also from the entire surface science community, because all data records are peer-reviewed prior to acceptance and entry into the database. Simultaneous with the launch of the journal product of the SURFACE SCIENCE SPECTRA database, massive changes began in the publishing world's electronic technology and the individual scientist's preferences for accessing information. While the descriptors in each individual data record have changed only minimally in the years since the database launch, the delivery mechanism changed continually and will continue to change. The current conversion of the on-line journal to XML publishing technology provides new opportunities to inexpensively add useful features for the benefit of the database users.