[Nhcoll-l] Why retain physical specimens

Thu Oct 10 09:44:31 EDT 2019

Hi Sarah,

I would like to add to this interesting subject something that I think it is missing and it is very important too.

I completely agree that the collections need to be digitized helping us to know what we have in the museums and that we must keep the physical specimens. Nevertheless, everybody should understand that the natural sciences specimens do not keep for ever, and that they can be damaged physical and environmentally. At this point, natural sciences conservators and preparators are very important. Once the specimens are digitalised, the specimens should be kept and cared for, and conservators and preparators will help the collections not to be destroyed or vanished. Unfortunately, due to constriction in money in some institutions, some museums are reducing the numbers of professionals in the field of natural sciences conservation and their jobs are given to people who have been not being trained for and consequently, the collections in natural sciences are getting damaged and lost.

I will always defend that the digitalization is needed and that it is very important, but without collections there are not museums and no research.

Vicen

Ms Vicen Carrió ACR
Geological Conservator/ Preparator
National Museums Scotland
National Museums Collection Centre
242 West Granton Road
Edinburgh EH5 1JA
+44 (0) 131 247 4254
v.carrio at nms.ac.uk<mailto:v.carrio at nms.ac.uk>
http://www.nms.ac.uk<http://www.nms.ac.uk/>
Note: My normal working days are Mondays to Thursdays

From: Nhcoll-l [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Timothy Brys
Sent: 28 September 2019 07:57
To: Sarah K. Huber; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Why retain physical specimens

Along with the African crocodiles material I sent, I just saw this:
https://www.ksat.com/news/international/new-10footlong-crocodile-species-found-in-museum
[https://sharedmedia.grahamdigital.com/photo/2019/09/25/New%20Guinea%20crocodile.jpg_22325878_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg]<https://www.ksat.com/news/international/new-10footlong-crocodile-species-found-in-museum>
New 10-foot-long crocodile species found in museum<https://www.ksat.com/news/international/new-10footlong-crocodile-species-found-in-museum>
A unique species of crocodile lives in New Guinea, but in 1989, a researcher suspected that there may be more to the story on the tropical island.
www.ksat.com

Tim Brys - Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Teaching Collection Coordinator
Phone: 214.756.5840

timothy.brys at perotmuseum.org

2201 N. Field Street, Dallas Texas 75201

<http://bit.ly/2for1sig>

________________________________
From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Sarah K. Huber <skhuber at vims.edu>
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2019 12:59 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Why retain physical specimens

Recently I've been fielding a lot of questions about why our collection should retain a physical specimen once it has been digitized (e.g., CT-scanned, photographed, x-rayed, etc.). I'm curious how often other museum professionals are asked this question and what your general responses are for justifying the retention of a physical specimen. Why do you tell people it's important to retain a specimen?

If anyone knows of article that have addressed this specific question I would appreciate references so that I can have them on hand for particularly curious visitors.

Thanks,

Sarah

Sarah K. Huber, Ph.D.
Curatorial Associate, VIMS Nunnally Ichthyology Collection
Office 804.684.7104 | Collection 804.684.7285
skhuber at vims.edu | http://www.vims.edu/research/facilities/fishcollection/index.php
PO Box 1346 | 1370 Greate Rd., Gloucester Pt., VA 23062

National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130

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