[Nhcoll-l] Compactors in collections

[Callomon,Paul]

A major consideration in deciding for or against compactors is floor loading. Some floors can safely bear the weight of a collection if it is spread out (in rows of cabinets with aisles) but would not if it was all bunched up at one end. See:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267271211_A_grand_scale_rehousing_the_mollusk_collection_at_the_Academy_of_Natural_Sciences

A less tangible but often important factor is the reduced chance of serendipity. Taxonomists often pull drawers in systematically arranged collections to eyeball specimens, but can at the same time notice things that they weren't looking for but that turn out to be significant, such as two species that have been classified as one. This is less likely to happen if it becomes harder to just go and pull drawers in order to confirm an identification or assess a species' variation because the compactor first has to be opened. The collection becomes slightly less accessible, in other words; still fine if you have a strong need to see things, but possibly an inhibition to less urgent checking.


Paul Callomon
Collection Manager, Malacology and General Invertebrates
________________________________
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
prc44 at drexel.edu<mailto:prc44 at drexel.edu> Tel 215-405-5096 - Fax 215-299-1170


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