A New EMu Users Perspective David Smith Petrology

A New EMu Users Perspective David Smith Petrology Curator Mineralogy EMu Implementation Team Leader

Recrystallisation of Mineralogy Collections Databasing David Smith European KE EMu Users Group Meeting 10 th

Introduction • Variations in CM databases and databasing. • Old unsupported systems. • Raise and set standards in collections management to common level. • Requirement for MLA accreditation to be SPECTRUM compliant.

Programme Delivery Timeline 2005 2006 2007 Oct - Dec Jan - Marpr - Junul - Sepct - Decan - Marpr - Junul - Sep A J O J A J Jan - Marpr - Junul - Sepct - Dec A J O Mineralogy Entomology Palaeontology Zoology Botany Note: this timeline is strictly for illustration purposes and changes are likely to occur as the programme unfolds.

Where we before EMu? • 18 disparate datasets • Flat-file format • Repetition of data • No validation – inconsistencies within & between datasets • Not networked – Limited access • Limitations to managing data and samples (inefficiency & costs)

Mineralogy B. E. (Before EMu) Supporting datasets Specimen datasets Analytical datasets Taxonomy Lists -Mineral Name -Rock Name -Soil Name NHM Types -Mineral Name -Specimen No. Specimen -Specimen Name -Specimen No. -Field/ Other No. Loans -Specimen No. -Borrowers Name n. b. 5 independent -Organisation datasets

Mineralogy B. E. (Before EMu) Supporting datasets Specimen datasets Analytical datasets Taxonomy Lists -Mineral Name -Rock Name -Soil Name NHM Types -Mineral Name -Specimen No. X-ray diffraction -Specimen No. -Field/ Other No. Specimen Infra-Red Spec. -Specimen Name -Specimen No. -Field/ Other No. Loans -Specimen No. -Borrowers Name n. b. 5 independent -Organisation datasets Preparation -Specimen No. -Field/ Other No.

Major decisions & why? • Mineral Taxonomy – one of few museums researching pure mineral systematics – preserve and manage name changes – reorganise systematic storage & display order • Analytical Processes – Efficient feedback of re-determinations & enhancement • Preparations – sub-samples managed as per parent – were created without curatorial knowledge

Top Tips • Familiarisation with the product – Navigation & querying – Attachment process – Nested grids • Document all decisions • Ensure mapping document kept up to date – Clarity over who has control • Summaries aid the checking process

Esquel, pallasite

What have been (will be) the benefits? • Department – Integration – Access • Collections Management – One stop shop for specimen info. & transactions – Improvement to quality, accuracy and detail of collection data – Better handle on the use of collections – Improvement to the service – more professional – Potential to efficiently & accurately report meaningful KPI’s

What can we do now? • Manage name changes (re-classification or re-identification) • Manage specimen preparations in association with parent • Manage meteorite fragments in association with parent • Link to external resources

Manage names • Manage name changes (classification or determination)

Manage names Catalogue Module Analysis Module Principal Secondary Pyrite Quartz Analysis Gold Quartz Newminite

Manage names Catalogue Module Analysis Module Principal Secondary Pyrite Quartz Gold Quartz Analysis Gold An al ys is 2 Quartz Newminite

Manage names Catalogue Module Analysis Module Principal Secondary Gold Quartz Analysis ‘Newminite’ Gold Quartz Pyrite An Quartz ‘Newminite’ al ys is 2 ‘Newminite’

Specimen Management

Effective specimen management Meteorite Fragmentation Parent Event 2 Event 1 100 g 80 g 10 g 5 g 5 g lost to research Audit history 100 80, 10, 5 80, 10, 2, 1, 2 g 1 g section On loan

Resources • Available with EMu version 3. 1 • Entry in registry http: //www. mindat. org/search. php? minname=

Resources Tools Resources

Resources: Benefits • Capability to link to a wealth of information on the web that would ordinarily be impossible to include in a database. • Remove costs of institute maintaining data • Check accuracy of data from authorities in the field – Mindat. org – Meteoritical Bulletin • Georeference our data

Resources: Georeferencing • Process of converting text descriptions of locations to computer -readable geographic locations. • Particularly important for biodiversity studies with a view to bio-conservation and land management.

Resources: Georeferencing Malham Cove

Resources Canyon Diablo meteorite Over 30 tonnes of fragments found since its discovery in 1891 in the vicinity of Meteor Crater, Arizona, USA. Where…. ?

Resources: Google Maps 500 m

Vanadanite

What are our priorities? • Training – 2 hour initial introductory training – Development of user group specific training • Data cleansing • Reports • Deliver to the web • Encouraging researchers to use system – Data preservation at early stage – Enhancement of collections information

Enhancement of specimens by research

Conclusion BEFORE Simple, dispersed datasets w weak bonds (theoretical only DURING Dissolve/breakdown to small components (fields and data types) AFTER Recrystallise in more integrated,

Questions?