Computerization of Large Collections: Challenges, Benefits and Lessons Learned

1
Computerization of Large Collections
Challenges, Benefits and Lessons Learned

• Barbara M. Thiers
• Director of the Herbarium
• New York Botanical Garden

2
Benefits of Computerizing Large Collections

• Benefits to the Collection
• improves curation
• corrects and supplements documentation of
  collections (e.g. label data)
• Benefits to the Institution
• Benefits to the International Research Community
  and Beyond

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Benefits of Computerizing Large Collections

• Benefits to the Collection
• Benefits to the Institution
• facilitates curatorial work
• facilitates synthesis and publication of research
  results
• allows institution to participate in broad scale
  collaborative projects
• Benefits to the International Research Community
  and Beyond

4
Benefits of Computerizing Large Collections

• Benefits to the Collection
• Benefits to the Institution
• Benefits to the International Research Community
  and Beyond
• greater, faster access to collection data needed
  for research worldwide
• combining datasets from multiple institutions
  will create a more accurate picture of earths
  biodiversity

5
Challenges of Computerizing Large Collections

• Inertia
• The magnitude of the job is daunting
• Computerization requires changes in procedure
• Friction
• Momentum
• Perpetual Motion
• Force

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Challenges of Computerizing Large Collections

• Inertia
• Friction
• Computerization can overwhelm other collections
  activities
• Computerization requires cooperation
• Momentum
• Perpetual Motion
• Force

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Challenges of Computerizing Large Collections

• Inertia
• Friction
• Momentum
• allopatric speciation
• competition
• Perpetual Motion
• Force

8
Challenges of Computerizing Large Collections

• Inertia
• Friction
• Momentum
• Perpetual Motion
• maintenance of completed projects
• long-term storage and compatibility
• Force

9
Challenges of Computerizing Large Collections

• Inertia
• Friction
• Momentum
• Force
• Technology
• Funding

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Lessons Learned

• Communication is Everything!
• Among project managers
• Among institutional staff
• Among institutions
• Maintaining High Standards of Data Quality is
  also Everything!
• Be Creative and Flexible with Technology

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Lessons Learned

• Communication is Everything!
• Maintaining High Standards of Data Quality is
  also Everything!
• Hire qualified staff
• design data entry system to maximize adherence to
  standards
• edit data constantly
• Be Creative and Flexible with Technology

12
Lessons Learned

• Communication is Everything!
• Maintaining High Standards of Data Quality is
  also Everything!
• Be Creative and Flexible with Technology

13
The Future of Large Collections Computerization
Lessons Learned

• Building Richer Resources
• Integrating Offerings from All Institutions in to
  a Virtual Whole

14
The Future of Large Collections Computerization
Lessons Learned

• Building Richer Resources
• Integrating Offerings from All Institutions in to
  a Virtual Whole