Implementation of a relational database for the Sternberg Museum paleontology collection

海斯堡州立大学的斯特恩伯格自然历史博物馆(FHSM)获得了一笔赠款，用于将古生物标本数据数字化、成像、管理和存档到一个集中的、公共可访问的数据库中。FHSM是一个主要的公共化石储存库和教育机构。古生物学收藏代表了100多年的化石收集，包括脊椎动物和无脊椎动物的收藏，这对了解大平原的过去生活至关重要。标本在研究中被广泛使用，并作为教育项目和展览的基础。收藏中的许多标本都是由当地土地所有者捐赠的，需要进行充分的管理并整合到收藏中。此外，该藏品缺乏数字数据库，也没有在线标本数据。该项目将以数字方式保存不可替代的数据，并首次在网上提供标本数据(包括图像)。这些数据的数字化和共享将为研究人员、教育工作者、学生和普通公众提供轻松获取这些数据的途径，使广大受众受益。资助确保适当地获得FHSM标本的数字记录，并便于用于研究和教育用途。项目目标包括抄写手写记录，建立一个具有在线平台的关系数据库，将数据和元数据整合到现有的研究数据库中，管理积压的标本，对化石标本进行2D和3D成像，以及开发教育资源。所有古生物标本和标本数据将被数字化并存入CollectiveAccess数据管理系统，该系统正被用于存储收集的数据。现代收藏管理标准的应用将使世界各地的研究人员和教育工作者能够获得标本数据。斯特恩伯格博物馆为广大农村地区提供科学教育，这使得在线获取材料成为博物馆教育使命的当务之急。该项目还将在三年内雇用多名海斯堡州立大学的研究生和本科生。这些学生将接受使用在本项目过程中数字化的标本的策展和研究技术方面的培训。总体而言，该项目将通过改善组织、可获得性以及研究和教育潜力，极大地提高FHSM古生物收藏的意义。有关斯特恩伯格博物馆古生物收藏的更多信息，请访问http://sternberg.fhsu.edu/research-collections/collections/paleontology/.。

Fort Hays State University's Sternberg Museum of Natural History (FHSM) is awarded a grant to digitized, image, curate, and archive paleontology specimen data into a centralized and publically accessible database. FHSM serves as a major public fossil repository and educational institution. The paleontology collection represents over 100 years of fossil collecting and includes vertebrate and invertebrate holdings that are critical for understanding past life in the Great Plains. The specimens are used extensively in research and as the basis for educational programs and exhibits. Many specimens within the collection have been donated by local landowners and need to be fully curated and integrated into the collection. Additionally, the collection lacks a digital database and no specimen data are available online. This project will digitally preserve irreplaceable data and make specimen data (including images) available online for the first time. The digitization and sharing of these data will provide researchers, educators, students, and the general public with easy access to the collection, benefitting a broad audience. Funding ensures that digital records of FHSM specimens are properly achieved and easily accessible for research and educational uses. Project goals include transcribing hand-written records, building a relational database with online platform, integrating data and metadata into existing research databases, curating backlogged specimens, 2D and 3D imaging of fossil specimens, and developing educational resources. All paleontology specimens and specimen data will be digitized and databased into CollectiveAccess data management system, which is being adopted to house collection data. The application of modern collection management standards will enable researchers and educators from around the world access to specimen data. The Sternberg Museum provides science education for a large, yet rural, region, making online access to material imperative to the educational mission of the Museum. This project will also employ multiple Fort Hays State University graduate and undergraduate students over a three-year period. These students will be trained in curatorial and research techniques using the specimens digitized during the course of this project. Overall, this project will greatly enhance the significance of the FHSM paleontology collection by improving organization, accessibility, and research and education potential. Additional information about the paleontology collection at the Sternberg Museum can be found at http://sternberg.fhsu.edu/research-collections/collections/paleontology/.