Hi TDWG folks,

RE: Your Part In a Pursuit of a Worldwide Collection Catalogue

Some of you work with / in collections, or know people that do, or support gathering, using and discovery of bio/geo-collections data. Please participate in this event (see next) and encourage your colleagues (FB, Twitter, email, etc). Thanks!

Please note that at least some of the content is available in Spanish, Chinese (simplified), and French in an effort to make it easier for more folks to participate.

Español: Adelantando el Catálogo de Colecciones de Historia Natural del Mundo 13 https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://discourse.gbif.org/t/adelantando-el-catalogo-de-colecciones-de-historia-natural-del-mundo/2037__;!!PhOWcWs!igZjxJD4b6bN6VsIcoB9lYkvWoaYVHwsfQ_ubpkvhrBTqRVtCBOqAAW1CRgwqw$ Français: Faire avancer le Catalogue des Collections d’Histoire Naturelle du Monde https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://discourse.gbif.org/t/progressant-le-catalogue-des-collections-dhistoire-naturelle-du-monde/2040__;!!PhOWcWs!igZjxJD4b6bN6VsIcoB9lYkvWoaYVHwsfQ_ubpkvhrBTqRVtCBOqAAWzMAJxJA$ 简体中文: 建立《全球自然历史馆藏名录》 https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://discourse.gbif.org/t/topic/2039__;!!PhOWcWs!igZjxJD4b6bN6VsIcoB9lYkvWoaYVHwsfQ_ubpkvhrBTqRVtCBOqAAVcxU24rw$

Right now (through April 27th) you have a unique opportunity to add your voice to an online consultation about Advancing the Catalogue of the World’s Natural History Collections. Please help to capture the value of collections and your insights about potential for them as well that will help shape a new online resource.

Please start here: https://discourse.gbif.org/t/advancing-the-catalogue-of-the-worlds-natural-h...

A few example Technical and Information questions that need your experience and insights:

* Would the collections community benefit from a comprehensive directory of all natural history collections? * Who would make use of such a directory? * How should ownership and access control for collection records be managed? * What interfaces and APIs are required to maximise access to the collection catalogue? * What is the best way to include these communities as part of an interconnected solution? * Is there a role for content to be created and improved by a wider audience (e.g. through Wikidata)? * What is required to ensure that this meets the needs of collections and is fully adopted and owned by the collections community? * What challenges need to be addressed to minimise duplication of content and effort within an integrated catalogue? * How can the catalogue best support diverse user communities, including speakers of different languages? * How should appropriate editors be recognised and validated? * What do these communities require to be able to carry out their work efficiently and support their collections? * What present or future requirements are there for interfaces directly between CMS platforms and the collection catalogue? * Are there special opportunities that should be considered? * Could CMS platforms become a source of metadata for institutional collections within a global catalogue? * Which existing tools, databases and websites can help to mobilise and maintain collection records? * Is it possible to identify additional tools or pathways that need to be developed or supported

Please share this call with your colleagues too so that input can truly be worldwide and cross-discipline.

We're very much looking forward to talking with you in the forum (at GBIF) where the questions are posted. We are waiting for you.

In anticipation, from Deb, on behalf of the consultation team: Donald Hobern, Alex Asase, Quentin Groom, Maofang Luo, Deborah Paul, Tim Robertson, Patrick Semal, Barbara Thiers, Matt Woodburn, Eliza Zschuschen