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This report highlights the achievements and challenges faced by the Berkeley Natural History Museums (BNHM) in developing sustainable informatics systems to support biodiversity research. Key accomplishments include the establishment of online specimen databases, enhanced specimen search capabilities, and connections to global networks. The report also outlines strategic planning initiatives aimed at securing funding and improving IT support for data access, analysis, and specimen management. By fostering collaborations and leveraging resources, BNHM seeks to advance its mission and enhance the impact of biodiversity research.
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What if these all went away? Specimen Search Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Data Access University of California, Berkeley CalPhotos Essig Specimen Database Query
Berkeley Natural History Museums / Museum Informatics ProjectStrategic Planning Project Open Forum May 25, 2005 Berkeley Natural History Museums
What has been achieved? • In-house Specimen Databases for all museums (MIP, NSF, etc.) • Online Specimen Databases for all museums (MIP, DLP) • Calphotos image repository (DLP) • Personal Library document scanning repository (DLP) • AmphibiaWeb (DLP, Turner) • Specimen search across all BNHM (BNHM) • Specimen distribution mapping with BerkeleyMapper (BNHM) • Connection to Global Networks, e.g., MaNIS, ORNIS, HerpNet (NSF)
Problems with Current Informatics Development Model • Chaos mode - individual based development of projects • The “Rotten Core” (Radical Ongoing Tweeking of Core Systems with no hard $ support) • Need hard-money support spread out
Goals of Planning Project: • Plan for long term informatics support for BNHM • Increase competitiveness for obtaining extramural funding for further Biodiversity Informatics grants • Identify informatics components to support the proposed Center for Biodiversity Science • Help MIP/Interactive University better understand the needs of BNHM • Develop models of future BNHM and MIP/IU partnerships • Develop a foundation for a campus budget request to support a joint BNHM and MIP service partnership • Keep existing projects running without interruption
The Planning Process (3 months) • Formation of BNHM/MIP Strategic Planning Committee (BNHM, MIP/IU, DLP, MVZ, Herbaria, UCMP, Field Stations represented) • Web site http://iu.berkeley.edu/bnhmplanning/ • IT Surveys: • current systems and support in the BNHM • historical survey of technology in the BNHM • vision survey (BNHM Curators, Staff, Students, etc.) • IT services and groups on the Berkeley campus • Regular committee meetings and retreats – issues, prioritization, organizational structure • Open forum for input from BNHM community • Draft of Strategic Planning Document
What’s in it for researchers? • Data access and analysis tools • Increased competition for NSF funding • Criteria I: Intellectual Merits • Criteria II: Broader Impacts (i.e., data sharing, outreach) • Data curation • Networking with field stations
What’s in it for museums & field stations?(top 10 priorities) • Storage & archiving • Specimen management system maintenance/development • Network connectivity of field stations • IT education and training • Database management and development • Security and systems administration • Portal/ interface development and management • Digital repositories and asset management • GIS data library, WMS Services, Mapping • Museum websites & outreach
1. BNHM IT 2. SIMS, IST, CCDL IBS MIP/IU 3. 4. MIP/IU IT (BSCIT) BNHM MIP/IU BNHM MIP/IU BNHM IT Other Campus Units (e.g., SIMS, IST) IT Options for Organizing Staff
Advantages of a CollaborativeIT Unit • Common systems are more sustainable • Ability to leverage funding, more financial stability • More responsive to priorities • Better tools and larger capacity
Risks of a collaborativeIT group • May not get what you want and/or when you want it • Involves cultural change (Individual control vs. joint priority setting) • IT positions may shift or consolidate
Strategy and Outcomes • Ongoing support for collaborative informatics positions (FTE) • 3 year timeframe to build collaborative group using funds from: • Fundraising (extramural) • Units (provide matching funds) • Campus
What’s Next? • June 30, 2005 -- Final Report from planning committee • July, 2005 -- Meet with senior administration to present report & vision plan • September, 2005 -- Meet with senior administration to discuss resources issues and work to secure commitments to fund essential personnel from Jan 1, 2006 onwards • May, 2006 -- Review progress in relation to milestones