iDigbio is pleased to announce the second in a series of preparation-specific workshops focusing on organizing, launching, maintaining, and enhancing a biological collections digitization program. This new workshop will focus on digitization of wet collections, including specimen label databasing, specimen imaging, ledger and field book imaging, and digitization of legacy objects such as X-rays, CT scans, and 35mm slides.

The target audiences for these workshops include collections managers, curators, and directors in U.S. non-federal institutions that are engaged in planning, implementing, or enhancing a digitization program, regardless of collection size.

The primary goal is to prepare participants to return to their home institutions with the necessary skills and knowledge to launch or enhance a digitization program, either individually, through collaboration with an existing Thematic Collections Network (TCN), as a Partner with an Existing Collection (PEN), or through direct collaboration with iDigBio. Workshop topics will include but are not restricted to: 1) an overview of iDigBio, ADBC, and nationwide digitization activities; 2) strategies for organizing and launching a digitization program; 3) a detailed, hands-on overview of digitization tasks; 4) strategies for developing effective workflows and protocols; 5) strategies for evaluating hardware and software, including database management systems; 6) procedures for image and data capture; 7) tools for georeferencing, and 8) strategies for moving digitized data to the internet via data aggregators and harvesters. Sample workflows, hardware specifications, and comparison software features will be available during and following the workshop through a workshop wiki. Workshop sessions will focus on practical application and hands-on implementation.

This workshop will focus on digitization of specimens stored in fluids, including fish, reptiles, amphibians, other vertebrates, and invertebrates. Facilitators for the workshop currently include Andy Bentley (KU Biodiversity Institute), Gil Nelson (iDigBio), Nelson Rios (Tulane University Museum of Natural History), Rob Robins (Florida Museum of Natural History). Additional facilitators will be included as planning progresses.