[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Definition of "Backlog"

[Dirk Neumann]

Hi Sarah,

the definition on Merriam Webster is "an accumulation of tasks unperformed or materials not processed", so it could be either


  *   work or a process, e.g., part of a bequest or incoming field material, where the accessioning started but was discontinued, or
  *   objects that are not accessioned or not inventoried

>From that perspective, accessioned/inventoried objects that were requested for research work but not returned/got stranded with project people (e.g., the messy freezer drawer) would be part of the backlog (incomplete process, aka not returned).

If you want to focus on 'uncatalogued backlog' I would include all not accessioned material and all not inventoried objects if the basic metadata is not accessible via standardised format. It is debatable if the information 'must' be accessible in an electronic database, or not.

I would also include all known donation to arrive at some point in the future, because these objects need at least to be accessioned to some degree. At my former institution we hade larger amounts of specimens with labels and where inventoried, but only had station numbers as locality data on them. So basically no locality data, because there where no records of these trawls and/or the research vessel. It would be worth considering such material as well, because basically it is inaccessible for research.


Hope this helps

Dirk


Am 06.05.2025 um 16:08 schrieb Sarah K. Huber:
I realize that this is a very nebulous area and that there is no “right” definition, but I am curious how your institution defines the backlog - specifically as it pertains to uncatalogued material. I have been asked to provide an estimate of our uncatalogued backlog, and I’m getting into the weeds of how to define our backlog.

Thank you,
Sarah

Sarah K. Huber, Ph.D. (she/her)
Curatorial Associate, Nunnally Ichthyology Collection
Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS
William & Mary
Office: 804-684-7104
skhuber at vims.edu<mailto:skhuber at vims.edu> | http://www.vims.edu/research/facilities/fishcollection/index.php
PO Box 1346 | 1370 Greate Rd., Gloucester Point, VA 23062




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Dirk Neumann
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--
Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael Wappelhorst
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