[NHCOLL-L:1155] web-enabled databases

[Richard Monk]

Good Morning Listers!

We at Texas Tech have finally developed a web-enabled, searchable of our 
mammal collection database.  Other collections will come "on-line" 
shortly.  (Pun intended.)  We have not linked the searchable database to 
our main web site yet, as we first wanted to get some input from others who 
have linked their collection databases to their web sites.  The main 
questions we have are:

1.   What kind of response are you getting from the searchable database?

2.   What limits are you placing on access to the data?  (Do you require a 
password to access any/all of the database?  What data do you provide?  Do 
you limit locality data to state or county level, or do you give specific 
localities?  Did you have concerns about this and what were the overlying 
factors that influenced your decision the most?)

3.   How much of a reduction in direct information requests have you 
seen.  I.e., have users opted to use the web database instead of writing 
directly to the collection manager for information?  Do you think there has 
been an overall increase (or decrease) in access to collection information?

4.   How do you quantify database use?

For now, our approach is to release portions of the database (specific 
records AND fields are blocked) to the general public.  Access to the 
complete database by bona fide researchers (after an approved request for 
access) would be by password, limited to a particular time frame.  Such use 
would be logged.

We suspect that there will be MANY casual visitors who will not require 
detailed information, but will benefit from some information.  On the other 
hand, we want to provide a useful service to scientists while maintaining 
control of the data.

I appreciate any insights or input you want to provide.  If you want to 
look at the database search engine we have, please e-mail me directly for 
the URL.

Thanks in advance,
Richard

Richard Monk
Curator of Collections
Natural Science Research Laboratory
Museum of Texas Tech University
Phone:  (806)742-2486
FAX:  (806)742-0362