Renovation of the Vertebrate Paleontology Collections at Carnegie Museum of Natural History

卡内基自然历史博物馆古脊椎动物部将在三年内对古脊椎动物收藏设施进行重大改进，特别是在收藏区安装现代化的可移动压实机系统，从而将存储容量增加约110%。这些改进将促进和推进具有国际地位和重要性的古生物学收藏的研究、维护和保护。这些藏品包括超过100,000个标本，从晚志留纪到第四纪，涵盖了所有脊椎动物类别。实地研究项目以平均每年2500个的速度增加标本。古生物收藏区包括博物馆地下室的两个大房间，以及二楼办公大楼的收藏空间。这些区域已达到目前的容量，结果是大部分收藏品难以进入，并且拥挤超过了最佳条件。解决这些拥挤状况的唯一办法是增加收集的密度，这最好由压实机来完成。对该科计算机化数据库的数据核查将在重新安置压实机标本的同时进行。卡内基研究所以前对这个项目所作的承诺包括使藏品电脑化和增加两名全职编制人员/藏品管理人员（后者将于1993年执行）。在安装压实机之前，将进行环境控制的开发和收藏空间的翻新。这种类型的收藏包括一套全国重要的资源，有助于促进比当前研究更广泛的活动。它们是教育努力的关键资源，对所有年龄组和规格水平都很重要。它们为地球上过去的生命历史提供了文献数据基础。它们是等待后代关注的材料的重要重新定位。

The Section of Vertebrate Paleontology of Carnegie Museum of Natural History will over three years institute major improvements of collection facilities in Vertebrate Paleontology, specifically installation of a modern moveable compactor system in the collection area, thereby increasing storage capacity by approximately 110%. These improvements will promote and advance study, maintenance, and conservation of the paleontological collections, which are international stature and importance. These collections include over 100,000 specimens, ranging in age from Late Silurian to Quaternary and encompassing all vertebrate classes. Field research projects add specimens at the average rate of 2500 per year. The paleontology collection areas include two large rooms in the Museum's basement as well as space set aside for collections in the second floor office complex. These areas are filled to current capacity, with the result that large parts of the collections are difficult to access and crowded past optimal conditions. The only solution to these crowded conditions is to increase density of the collections, which is best accomplished by compactors. Data verification of the Section's computerized database will accompany rehousing specimens in compactors. Previous Carnegie Institute commitments to this project include computerization of the collections and additions to the staff of two full time preparators/collection managers (the latter to be implemented in 1993). Compactor installation will be preceded by development of environmental controls and renovation of spaces occupied by the collections. %%% Collections of this type comprise a nationally important suite of resources that serve to facilitate a much broader array of activities than just current research. They are key resources for educational endeavors important to all age groups and levels of specification. They provide the documentary data base for the past history of life on earth. They are important repositions for materials awaiting the attention of future generations.