Published: November 16, 2021
These links and documents contain information about data aggregation as relevant to natural history collections. Content generated during The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) Annual Joint Meeting – 2016, during an iDigBio sponsored workshop by the following individuals participating in the “Digitization” working group of the aforementioned workshop. Subjects include: Data Aggregation (mobilization);…
Published: November 16, 2021
Here we present a checklist of items to consider for maintaining business continuity during institutional closures, specifically when circumstances do not allow some or all staff to be on site. This page was created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in closures of collections across the globe. Various emergencies, including acts of…
Published: November 16, 2021
STORAGE AT A GLANCE:FRAMEWORK AND DEFINITIONS Lisa Elkin, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY Robert Waller, Protect Heritage Corp. and Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario Approaches to risk mitigation across all aspects of collection storage design and operation have been presented throughout this volume. Of course, not all guidelines…
Published: November 16, 2021
SPNHC Wiki content page originally generated during The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) Annual Joint Meeting – 2016, during an iDigBio sponsored workshop by the following individuals participating in the “Museum Logistics” working group of the aforementioned workshop. Subjects include: Facility Management; Space Planning; Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; Lighting; Flooring; Shelving; Fire…
Published: February 18, 2020
Smithsonian Institution Archives finding aid: Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, Records, 1982-2018
Best practices for insect collections. Introduction to Insect Storage Techniques for Small Collections (2010)
Best Practices for plant specimens. How to Pack a Herbarium Specimen for Loan (2010) How to Prepare Seaweed Specimens (2010)
Our ability to understand the natural world depends on the collection, preservation, and ongoing study of natural history specimens. These collections are the physical record of Earth’s life forms and processes. The information included here can be used to communicate the importance of natural history collections to justify budgets for collections care and maintenance, to…
Conservation Adhesives and Consolidants in Geological and Paleontological Conservation: A Wall Chart (1997) An Alternative to Gelatine Capsules in Natural History Collections (2016) Anoxic Microenvironments: A Simple Guide (1996) Comparison of Temperature and Relative Humidity Dataloggers for Museum Monitoring (2002) Guide to the Indentification of Common Clear Plastic Films (1998) Paper Conservation (SPNHC Wiki) Specimen…
SPNHC recognizes the need to collaborate to develop, discover, disseminate and update best (better, current, recommended) practices for creating digital collections resources and publishing them for global access. Materials linked here represent the efforts of many collections data mobilization projects worldwide. [read more]
Conservation and Curation of Fluid Collections Distinguishing between Ethanol and Isopropanol in Natural History Collection Fluid Storage Fluid Collections Monitoring Fluid collections should be monitored on a regular schedule to prevent excessive preservative evaporation, detect faulty seals on storage containers or changes in preservative quality, and maintain collections at desired concentration levels. Monitoring intervals…
Published: December 5, 2018
In an effort to improve and maintain our rich 25+ year history of gathering and providing recently published inter-disciplinary citations applicable to natural history collections care, the Citations Subcommittee continues to build a listing of publications relevant to natural history collections. Citations were previously presented as a series of pdfs, issued annually; the new library…
Published: November 23, 2018
Pestlist serves as a discussion and information site for all pest related issue in any type of collection. Further information please contact IPM-WG at Chair@museumpests.net
Part of the SPNHC leaflet series.
Published: January 26, 2015
This list provides a current global view of available programs focusing on Museum Studies, for those interested in pursuing further training.
Published: September 28, 2014
What is the Nagoya Protocol? The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. Useful…
Part of the SPNHC leaflet series.
Published: January 25, 2014
The results of the 2014 survey are summarized in this report, followed by a discussion of common themes identified in the responses.
Published: November 16, 2013
Part of the SPNHC leaflet series.
Published: November 26, 2012
“As you will read in the report, accepting the notion of democratic access, placing a major emphasis on public value and impact, and embracing lifelong learning were “imperatives for the future” that emerged from the deliberations (please see page 30 of the report for a list of key messages from the seminar). Additional session resources…
Published: September 26, 2011
A White Paper on the prospects for a Scientific Software Innovation Institute (S2I2) in collections digitization, based on the outputs of two workshop meetings held in Chicago and Oklahoma during March 2011.
Best practices have been variously defined as techniques or methodologies that, through experience and research, have proven to reliably lead to a desired result; procedures that are generally agreed upon but not legislated; or commendable actions and philosophies that successfully solve problems, can be replicated, and demonstrate an awareness of professional standards. The development of…
The White Paper on Strategic Planning produced by the SPNHC Long Range Planning Committee in May 2012 and circulated to members for comment in the fall of that year.
Published: November 12, 2010
Although digitization of specimens can help to protect specimens by making loans unnecessary for certain types of research, physical loans will always be needed for systematic research. Practices differ from institution to institution, but the following packing suggestions will help ensure that herbarium specimens arrive in perfect shape.
Published: November 12, 2010
This sheet gives some methods and hints on how to prepare seaweed specimens from collection to dry storage. Little specialist equipment is required, and the natural mucilage that seaweeds produce makes mounting relatively easy as they glue themselves to paper. Larger and/or coralline specimens may need a little help from straps and glue.
Published: November 12, 2010
This sheet is intended to be of help to the non-specialist in small museums, nature centers, libraries, and schools; or to those people who may ‘inherit’ an insect collection but who aren’t familiar with the basics of insect collections care. Do you have a display box or two of pinned insects on a shelf? Perhaps…
Published: August 23, 2010
In support of the international collections community, SPNHC hosts NHCOLL-L, a discussion list dedicated to sharing knowledge in natural history collections care. Many of the Society’s business announcements are also posted there. Subscribers can both contribute to and benefit from a lively, active, and interdisciplinary global community of professionals dedicated to the advancement of natural…
The MuseumPests Working Group (formerly the Integrated Pest Management Working Group) is a group of collection managers, conservators and other collection care professionals interested in issues surrounding the implementation of integrated pest management in museums and other collection-holding institutions. The mission of the MPWG is to promote and facilitate best practices in pest management for the…
This registry allows institutions and collections to register a globally unique identifier that can be used in a wide variety of applications. Global uniqueness ensures citations to specimens, collections, and institutions remain accurate over time.
