[Nhcoll-l] Display/storage containers for study skins

[Peter Rauch]

For "ecology survey type courses and other uses", can you discuss the real
need to physically examine the specimens proper, to determine whether
alternative (surrogate) material can be used for that pedagogy ?

You mention "this type of collection".  Do you mean that it's primarily a
"teaching collection" as contrasted to a research (systematics / taxonomy)
collection?  If a teaching collection, isn't it expected that specimens
will become "sacrificed" to the cause, and that the more and more battered
specimens will remain in the collection, for use again and again so long as
they serve some particular teaching purpose?

In particular, there is so much of that sort of information (imagery)
online today that perhaps recourse to handling real specimens can be
significantly reduced (not just protected behind a plastic or glass shield)?

If particular alternative materials (images in particular) are not
available for certain needs of the instructors, then perhaps you could
arrange for a one-time imaging session to photographically capture those
features which need to be detailed, and thenceforth use the images rather
than the repeated handling of the specimens ?

I suppose there are those who might wonder, "Then what's the use of
maintaining a collection, if it can't be 'touched' or physically examined
and studied?"

Part of the answer may reside in what you refer to as "other uses". What
are those other uses for which you would either deem handling of the
specimen to be "legitimate" use in which wear and tear (so to speak) may
befall the specimen by necessity, or would also be considered to be in the
realm of subject to alternative surrogate exemplars (e.g., photos) ?

Peter

On Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 11:48 AM, Dawn Lawson <dmlawson at ualberta.ca> wrote:

> Hello!  I'm new to the list, and as part of my job duties, I manage a
> small zoology museum on a small campus.
> In the last few years, use of the museum is increasing due to the influx
> of ecology survey type courses, and other uses, and I need to be able to
> protect specimens from handling (both generally, and to avoid such
> behaviour as "pulling apart the tail feathers to look for field marks" type
> manipulations.)
>
> I have some acrylic cylinders which I temporarily seal with a glue gun,
> and some sheet plastic formed into tubes which can be opened, and some
> small birds in large test tubes...but I cannot find midsize tubes that are
> suitable for duck/jay/groundsquirrel-sized skins.
>
> I have two questions for the list members:
> 1) What might be some good ways to reduce loss/damage from handling on
> this type of collection and
> 2) Where can I source display materials that are economical, varied sizes,
> and appropriate to use?
>
> Dawn Lawson
> University of Alberta, Augustana
>
>
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