utilizing record connections in the field book project records between collection, item, and creator...
DESCRIPTION
This presentation addresses the types of content included in the Field Book Registry records, with a focus on the Encoded Archival Context (EAC) records used to describe persons, organizations, and expeditions. It also provides search tips for finding field book records and page scans in Collections Search.TRANSCRIPT
&Smithsonian Institution Library, NMNHUtilizing record connections between collection, item, and creator level
FIELD BOOK PROJECT TO DATE
• Over the last two and a half years, NMNH and Smithsonian Institution Archives have been working to create a Field Book Registry
• December 2012, records were made available on Smithsonian Collection Search Center
Continued updates include more than 300 new field book records, expanded creator record content, and links to nearly 250 digitized field books.
SPECIMENS, FIELD BOOKS, & PUBLICATIONSSmithsonian’s ongoing efforts:
• Online specimen databases• Biodiversity Heritage Library• Field Book Project
Online description enables discovery of connections across type of document & discipline.
CATALOGING FIELD BOOKS
• Primary documents • Various methods to describe
and organize• Include a wide variety of
content• Present a wide variety of
challenges
Connections across disciplines is important because field books often contain information relating to more than one scientific discipline.
WHAT SEPARATES TYPES OF DOCUMENTATION
When collecting documentation is separated by discipline, important connections can be lost in the process.
This is true for specimens, field books, and publications.
CATALOGING STRUCTURENCD Collection
CollectionId: NCDC78Title: Edgar Alexander Mearns, field books, 1890-1924Owner: EACO15Creator: EACP07Description: 200 folders of Mearns's field notes on ornithological collecting and observations in the Philippines, Kenya, …
MODS Item MODSId: MODSI1281Collection: NCDC78Title: Field notes and Journal, March 25 - April 5, 1885Dates: 1881, 1885Creator: EACP07Expedition: EACE 0017Abstract: Mearns uses this journal to record his daily activities and lists of mostly birds and mammals seen during his natural history research …
EAC PersonPersonId: EACP07Name: Mearns, Edgar A.(Edgar Alexander), 1856-1916Dates: 1856-1916Biographical history: Edgar A. Mearns was a military doctor and prolific naturalist who collected birds, mammals, plants…
EAC ExpeditionExpId: EACE0017Name: Smithsonian-Roosevelt African ExpeditionDates: 1909-1911Description: Under former President Theodore Roosevelt, the Smithsonian Institution-Roosevelt African Expedition …
EAC OrganizationOrgId: EACO15Name: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Division of Birds
SMITHSONIAN’S COLLECTION SEARCH CENTER
• Field Book Project's Records on SCSC
• Botany records
Primary ways to Search…
• Online media• Types• Topics• Names• Places• Date
To see only Field Book Registry records, limit Catalog record source.
ENCODED ARCHIVAL CONTEXT
• EAC-CPF• Describes individuals, expeditions and organizations • Social Networks and Archive Context Project (SNAC)• Links records at multiple levels in registry• Includes descriptive abstract and controlled subject fields• Similar to Plant Collectors on JSTOR
ALBERT SPEAR HITCHCOCK• Biographical history• Controlled subject fields
A. S. Hitchcock
DEMONSTRATING THE CONNECTIONS
Creator records offer explicit connections and concise source of search terms and access points
EAC records • Biological Survey of Panama Canal Zone• A. S. Hitchcock• U.S. Department of Agriculture
SURVEY OF THE PANAMA CANAL
Expedition record
FIELD BOOKS FROM THE SURVEY • Years: 1910-1912• Collections: 8 collections from 4 departments • Field Books: 14 items (catalogs, journals, correspondence)
5 of the 8 identified collectors, several of whom were not Smithsonian staff
search 1 (linked to Survey record)
search 2 (inferred connections)
PUBLICATIONS FROM THE SURVEY
• 12 publications found from original collectors
• Some were published 10 years after the Survey was completed
• BHL/FBP blog series
BHL advanced search
E. A. Goldman RecordRecord link
Page 4
SPECIMENS FROM THE SURVEY• Records include disciplines, location,
date, and creator. Other information varies.
• Specimen 715729: gives no indication it comes from Survey, even though location, date and collector correspond.
Specimen Databases
A. S. HITCHCOCK’S FIELD BOOKS
• Field Books: 45 items• Collections: 4 collections in 2
departments (Acc. 12-054, RU007067, RU000229, Acc. 11-093)
search 1 (all ASH records)only ASH's field notes
US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Organization record abstract may be complete• Results for Organization search vary
WHAT’S COMING NEXT…
• Expanding Expedition record content• Organization records like US Department of Agriculture• Clarifying organization affiliations in controlled fields• US National Museum and US Department of Agriculture• Newly digitized field books
Thank you for attending!
Any questions???
Lesley ParillaCataloger,Field Book ProjectSmithsonian Institution Archives / National Museum of Natural [email protected]