[NHCOLL-L:3574] Re: NPS specimen issue and NSCA

[Thomas Labedz]

I believe the question concerning NHCOLL-L readers is less whether the 
NPS specimen policy is directly impacting research, and perhaps more 
about who owns and who is responsible for the maintenance of the 
specimens.  I will give the utmost care to specimens owned by my 
museum, and I will give special treatment to specimens owned by other 
museums that are on loan to my institution.  But if my museum does not 
own a specimen it can be very difficult to invest the facilities, 
staff, and money to maintain that specimen.  And it is very difficult 
for my institution to state that a specimen will be available for 
research if we don't own it.  And, what if a specimen not owned by our 
institution, but is maintained by our institution, has been used in 
research and has had its "permanent" catalog number used in 
publication?  If we do not own that specimen, and cannot prevent recall 
by its owner, then we are not acting responsibly as a permanent 
repository for specimens vouchering research.  This is where I think 
NPS specimen policy hinders research.
	Thomas E. Labedz, Collections Manager
Division of Zoology and Division of Botany
University of Nebraska State Museum
W-436 Nebraska Hall
Lincoln, NE  68588-0514
402/472-8366    fax 402/472-8949
tlabedz1 at unl.edu    www.museum.unl.edu


On Sep 12, 2007, at 3:34 PM, Robert Gropp wrote:

> To NHCOLL-L readers:
>
>         Regarding the recent exchange about National Park Service 
> specimen policy, the Natural Science Collections Alliance (NSC 
> Alliance) is aware of this issue.  The NSC Alliance Board of Directors 
> has had recent discussions about this issue and plans to discuss it 
> further at our next Board meeting.
>         Although many in our community express concern with the NPS 
> policy, we have few clear examples of how the policy is hindering 
> research.  It would be helpful to future NSC Alliance deliberations on 
> this issue if individuals who have experienced problems with the NPS 
> policy could send us concrete examples.  Please fax any examples to 
> NSC Alliance director of policy Robert Gropp at 202-628-1509.
>
> Sincerely,
> Michael Mares
> President
> NSC Alliance
>
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