Darrell Siebert

Managing EMu in the NHM: Will Botanists Ever Agree with Zoologists?

Will Palaeontologists Ever Agree with Anybody?

MOA Programme

• 3 year programme• Integrated 5 Science departments into

EMu (beginning to integrate Public Engagement and Library & Information Services)

– Bot, Min, Palaeo, & Zoo – specimen catalogue approach

– Entom – managing taxa approach (collection index)

• Implement consistent collection standards, policies and procedures

EMu in NHM

• All NHM departments use a single EMu Catalogue

• > 450 users in Registry

• 80 User license (includes Web delivery)

NHM EMu environment

Curation Policies & Procedures(approved by NHM Trustees)

Science Executive

Collections Committee

EMu Development Committee

EMu Technical Committee

Ke Software

Corporate constituency U

ser

Constituency

NHM EMu environment

Curation Policies & Procedures(approved by NHM Trustees)

Science Executive

Collections Committee

EMu Development Committee

EMu Technical Committee

Ke Software

Corporate constituency U

ser

Constituency

MeMe

NHM EMu environment

Curation Policies & Procedures(approved by NHM Trustees)

Science Executive

Collections Committee

EMu Development Committee

EMu Technical Committee

Ke Software

Corporate constituency

User

Constituency

Science Executive Committee

• Membership– Science Director

– Heads of Science Departments

• Botany – Entomology – LIS - Mineralogy – Palaeontology – Zoology

• Role– Deliver Corporate Policy

– Authorise funding

NHM EMu environment

Curation Policies & Procedures(approved by NHM Trustees)

Science Executive

Collections Committee

EMu Development Committee

EMu Technical Committee

Ke Software

Corporate constituency U

ser

Constituency

Collections Committee

• Membership– Sci. Exec. member as chair– Sci. Department Collection leaders

Botany – Entomology – LIS – Mineralogy – Palaeontology – Zoology

• Role– Set policy– Instruct EMu Devel. Comm. and EMu Tech. Comm.– Request development funds

NHM EMu environment

Curation Policies & Procedures(approved by NHM Trustees)

Science Executive

Collections Committee

EMu Development Committee

EMu Technical Committee

Ke Software

Corporate constituency U

ser

Constituency

EMu Development Committee

• Membership– Coll. Comm. Member as Chair– Sci. Department User Representatives)

• Botany – Entomology – Mineralogy – Palaeontology – Zoology

• Role– Gather an prioritise development request

– Pass formal request for development funding to Coll. Comm.

– Lookup List policy

– Instruct EMu Tech. Comm.

EMu Technical Committee

• Membership– Sci. Department Technical Representative

Botany – Entomology – Mineralogy – Palaeontology – Zoology– Interactive Media (Web delivery)– ICT

• Role– Manage EMu Registry– Lead Departmental Training– Importing – Deleting – Data cleaning – etc.– Manage upgrade process

NHM EMu environment

Curation Policies & Procedures(approved by NHM Trustees)

Science Executive

Collections Committee

EMu Development Committee

EMu Technical Committee

Ke Software

Corporate constituency

User

Constituency

Do botanists ever agree with zoologists? Do palaeontologists ever

agree with anyone?

• Short answer is not very often! – Getting agreement

• Short decision making life cycle (1 month)

• Unanimity not expected!

Funding Cycle

• Oct 2009 – funding request submitted

• Jan 2010 – approval by Sci. Exec. (?)

• Apr 2010 – funds available (theoretically)

• Jul 2010 – upgrade delivered

• Oct 2010 – funding request submitted

• Jan 2011 – approval by Sci. Exec. (?)

• Apr 2011 – funds available (theoretically)

• Jul 2011 – upgrade delivered

Funding cycle for development too long

Questions?

NHM EMu environment

Curation Policies & Procedures(approved by NHM Trustees)

Science Executive

Collections Committee

EMu Development Committee

EMu Technical Committee

Ke Software

Corporate constituency U

ser

Constituency

NHM EMu environment

Curation Policies & Procedures(approved by NHM Trustees)

Science Executive

Collections Committee

EMu Development Committee

EMu Technical Committee

Ke Software

Corporate constituency U

ser

Constituency

MeMe

NHM EMu environment

Curation Policies & Procedures(approved by NHM Trustees)

Science Executive

Collections Committee

EMu Development Committee

EMu Technical Committee

Ke Software

Corporate constituency

User

Constituency