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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Thanks to Dr. Antonio Mauro Saraiva of <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType>
of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">São Paulo</st1:PlaceName> - <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Polytechnic</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
for forwarding the below message. <br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=PT-BR
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>De:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=PT-BR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
anavollmar@gmail.com [mailto:anavollmar@gmail.com] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>Em nome de </span></b>Ana Vollmar<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Assunto:</span></b> GBIF Natural History
Specimen Digitisation Survey</span></font><span lang=PT-BR><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
As you might have heard, the GBIF Global Strategy and Action Plan for
Digitisation and Mobilisation of Natural History Collections Data (GSAP-NHC),
in conjunction with the CollectionsWeb Research Coordination Network (<a
href="http://www.collectionsweb.org">www.collectionsweb.org</a>) and the
Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (<a
href="http://www.spnhc.org">www.spnhc.org</a>) has launched a survey,
“Natural History Specimen Digitisation: Challenges and
Concerns.” The purpose of this survey is to provide practical
information to administrators, curators, and managers at all levels about the
challenges presented by digitisation, and the ways in which these havebeen
addressed in diverse collections. Results will be made public once the
survey has closed.<br>
<br>
Recognizing the abundance of natural history specimens (several billion
globally) and the importance of associated information, digitization must be
prioritized to have the maximum impact in the shortest amount of time and at a
reasonable cost. The GSAP-NHC Task Group is working to investigate and
develop a plan of action for digitization relevant at multiple levels, from
individual collections to regional, national, and global coordination.<br>
<br>
We are hoping to gather information from diverse collections around the world,
and so are writing you in the hope that you will be able to fill out this
survey for the institution or collection where you work, and also to send the
survey to other institutions or collections in your region.<br>
<br>
The survey is accessible at <a
href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=u2F41aWI_2fPJzG0_2f4kWH4DQ_3d_3d">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=u2F41aWI_2fPJzG0_2f4kWH4DQ_3d_3d</a>
and will be open until June 20, 2009. We estimate that the survey will take
approximately 35 minutes. Through this communiqué we appeal collection
managers, curators, and administrators to participate in the survey.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
James Macklin<br>
Co-Chair, GSAP-NHC Task Group<br>
<br>
Ana Vollmar<br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Harvard</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Herbaria<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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