[Pollinator] GBIF Natural History Specimen Digitisation Survey

[Jennifer Tsang]

Thanks to Dr. Antonio Mauro Saraiva of University of São Paulo - Polytechnic
School for forwarding the below message. 



  _____  

De: anavollmar at gmail.com [mailto:anavollmar at gmail.com] Em nome de Ana
Vollmar
Assunto: GBIF Natural History Specimen Digitisation Survey


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 (www.collectionsweb.org) and the Society for the Preservation of
Natural History Collections (www.spnhc.org) 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.

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.

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.

The survey is accessible at
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=u2F41aWI_2fPJzG0_2f4kWH4DQ_3d_3d 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.

Sincerely,

James Macklin
Co-Chair, GSAP-NHC Task Group

Ana Vollmar
Harvard University Herbaria



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