[Nhcoll-l] outsourcing specimen prep

[Steve Sullivan]

I agree.  Here we have a lab that is part of the exhibit floor, with no
glass separating us from the public, where we do insect pinning, herbarium
preparations and taxidermy.  This area is a highlight of the museum
experience for many visitors.  It is also frequently the only time visitors
have seen meat in an unbutchered state so gives us poigniant and
customizable opportunities to convey a wide range of natural history
messages.  Much of this work is done by trained volunteers, always under the
supervision of staff.  By involving the community in doing prep work and
teaching about the issues we increase intuitional capacity.  By making it a
display we convey our messages even more effectively and increase public
support for our institution and mission.  All the while, we maintain direct
control over specimens, work quality, storage conditions, etc.

 

--Steve 

 

From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu
[mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Bryant, James
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2012 11:18 AM
To: O'Brien, Mark; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] outsourcing specimen prep

 

A modest counter proposal: I gather from the NCB Naturalis website that the
organization portrays itself as a collections-oriented institution, one that
exhibits collections for the general public to see. Why, then, should the
processing of collections be outsourced and thus hidden that much further
from public view? I'd suggest to management turning the processing of
specimens into a public program, make it a visible part of the institution's
fundamental services to the public. NCB Naturalis claims it is helping to
train biodiversity experts for the future; what better way than exhibit the
entire process for the public. The crowd sourcing of the transcription of
entomology data through the efforts of Paul Flemons and his team in
Australia has obviously been very successful. Why not fully realize this
approach to all aspects collections management?

 

James

 

James M. Bryant

Curator of Natural History

Museum Department, City of Riverside

3580 Mission Inn Avenue

Riverside, CA 92501

(951) 826-5273

(951) 369-4970 FAX

jbryant at riversideca.gov

From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu
[mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of O'Brien, Mark
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2012 8:36 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] outsourcing specimen prep

 

My view on this is - we expect that any museum uses well-trained people that
have a vested interest in doing things according to the accepted standards
of whatever type of taxonomic group they work on.  Museums also have a
responsibility for documenting the chain of custody and permit process.
Yes, there are many tasks that can be done by marginally-trained people, but
they are done under the supervision of a curator or collection manager.   

 

I would ask the bean-counters if they would have MacDonald's cater a state
dinner.  

 

Mark

 

------------------------------------------------------------

Mark F. O'Brien, Collection Manager

Insect Division, Museum of Zoology

The University of Michigan

1109 Geddes Avenue

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079

(734)-647-2199

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu
[mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Desjardins, R.B.
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2012 8:00 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] outsourcing specimen prep

 

Hello all;

 

Upper management at my institute would like to being outsourcing all
specimen preparation:  study skins of vertebrates, spirits for herps and
fish, paleo and geo, inverts, everything (except plants, maybe) to save
money.   I was curious if any other institutes  has done this or has
experience with anything like this?  Personally, I think it is a bad idea
(and it seems most folks here agree) but I would love to know if anyone is
trying this. 

 

Thanks,

 

Becky Desjardins

 

NCB Naturalis

Leiden, Netherlands

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