[Nhcoll-l] Effect of Global Database Inclusion on Loan Requests

[Chupasko, Judy]

Hi All,
Just my two cents about Global Databases and specimen information availability.  Over the last several years our loans AND number of visiting researchers per year  have increased dramatically (I can hardly keep up!).   I think this is due in part to several things that have been happening over the last couple of decades, and yes, I may be dating myself.  :)

1. An increase in specimen information (Global Databases, data and images)  availability due to our current " age of digital information" . Thus, it is easier for researchers to find out who has what, where they are from, and how many, allowing them to make a choice to request a loan or visit.
2. Improved/New/Refined research and analysis techniques/equipment.  Think:  getting DNA from a bone sample or a tanned mammal hide now (of course fresh tissue is preferred).  Also, new methods/equipment for  non-destructive  techniques, such as measuring historical lead or mercury concentrations 	in bone, hair samples, or using  digital X-rays, CT Scans, etc. to examine specimens even closer and from the inside out.  :)

More importantly,  and even though data or images may be available on-line, researchers continue to actually have to handle the specimens for their research.....such as taking 50 measurements per mammal skull, something that would be difficult to do with images alone.

I think that Global  databases have allowed more people to see what species are available where...as Sarah says below, it increases visibility......thus, acting a bit like a big advertisement billboard.  In turn, this combined with new analysis techniques are probably contributing to an increase in our loan requests and number of visiting researchers per year.  Cheers, Judy


Judith M. Chupasko, Curatorial Associate
Mammalogy Department
Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology
26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Mass. 02138
USA
Office: 617-384-9863
jchupasko at oeb.harvard.edu

http://www.mcz.harvard.edu/Departments/Mammalogy/ 

Mammalogy Collection:
Harvard University, Northwest Building
52 Oxford Street, Room B215
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
617-495-2469



-----Original Message-----
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Gil Nelson
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2013 2:14 PM
To: Sarah K. Huber
Cc: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Effect of Global Database Inclusion on Loan Requests

Interesting outcome. You would think that loan requests might decline with the availability of data online, especially when accompanied with high quality images. I have only anecdotal info, but some herbaria I've spoken with report a reduction in loans, though your findings certainly seem plausible and imminently logical. It'll be interesting what the controlled studies you suggest might be forthcoming will reveal.

Gil

Gil Nelson, Phd
Assistant Professor/Research
iDigBio Steering Committee
Integrated Digitized Biocollections
Institute for Digital Information and Scientific Communication College of Communication and Information Courtesy Professor Department of Biological Sciences Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium Florida State University gnelson at bio.fsu.edu


Quoting "Sarah K. Huber" <skhuber at vims.edu>:

> I had posted a query several weeks ago regarding the impact of global  database inclusion on loan requests, and was asked to summarize  responses for the list. My main motivation for requesting these data  is so that I can budget for costs associated with a possible increase  in loan requests (we have a very tight budget). So thank you to  everyone who responded. Below are some of the key points from these  responses.
>
> 1) Not many collections have these data, and there are quite a lot of people who would like to have them! A few collections are formally collecting these kind of data (loans before and after global database  inclusion) and have plans to publish this kind of information soon.  However, if your collection is contemplating inclusion into a global database, then formal records on loans before and after would be  tremendously helpful to the museum community.
>>
> 2) Informal estimates for loan increases ranged from 0-20%. The degree  of increase did not seem to be related to the size of the collection  or the time when the collection went "on-line".>
>
>
> 3) Those respondents who saw increases in loan requests reported a  disproportionate increase in requests from foreign institutions.
>
> My take-home message from the replies I got was that inclusion into   a global database will increase the visibility of your collection   and will increase loan requests. In my opinion these are great   things! However, that also means that collections should budget   additional funds for processing loans and especially for  international postage. Best, Sarah
>
> Sarah K. Huber, Ph.D.
> Research Assistant Professor of Biology and Marine Science
> Collection Manager, VIMS Ichthyology Collection
> 804.684.7285
> skhuber at vims.edu | www.vims.edu
> PO Box 1346 | Rt. 1208 Greate Rd., Gloucester Pt., VA 23062
>
> [VimsLogo]
>


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