Business Case Review Template

BHL Institutional Council Member ReportUnited States Geological SurveyMarch 2012Richard Huffine, Library Director1

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

Brief History of EngagementJoined the BHL in November 2011Attended the Life and Literature ConferenceMet with Smithsonian-based BHL staffAcquired Digitization EquipmentScanPro 2000 Microfilm/MicroficheMinolta PS 7000C MKII Color Book ScannerScanned some sample material Currently trying to load using MacawSubmitted 6 books through Smithsonian IA contractLoad completed 3/14/20122

Image from Holbrooks Herpetology, 1841. Already scanned and available in the BHL.

2

HighlightsThe USGS is excited to contribute to BHL, both in content and capability, including:Strong collections in paleobotany and other scientific studies previously not included in the BHLAccessible collections that have been considered too rare for other institutions to scanSkills in geographic and geospatial technology that could improve the utility of BHL from place-based perspectivesInterest in connecting biological and earth science research to improve understanding of the connections between geology, mineralogy, natural hazards and ecosystems

3

Image from Botany, 1839. Scanned by USGS and waiting to load into the BHL.

Accomplishments to DateWe are scanningIf we can get the Macaw service to work for us, we can add rare materials from our collection at a pretty good paceWe are identifying collectionsWe are reviewing our current inventories in biology, paleobotany, etc. and identifying materials that can be scannedWe are building our capacityUSGS staff have begun to appreciate the time and attention required to contribute to this effort and they are excited about the opportunity4

Image from Die Alpenpflanzen (1879-1884). Scanned by USGS and waiting to load into the BHL.

Related ActivitiesUSGS has scanned over 75% of its published catalog Also collecting citations for USGS-authored works to represent USGS contributions to scienceScanning is continuing as funds are identifiedDeveloping a Fedora Commons repository Also providing MODS Web Services and custom RSS feeds for interaction with the current systemRecently released over 150,000 historic topographic maps in geoPDF formatProducing 55,000 current topographic maps for the continental U.S. every 3 years5

Image from Botanical Atlas: Phanerogams & Cryptogams (1883). Scanned by USGS and waiting to load into the BHL.

Looking ForwardThe USGS is looking forward to becoming a valued partner in the next phase of the BHLWe hope to bring breadth, depth, energy and enthusiasm to the projectWe look forward to supporting efforts to improve on the current capabilities and explore new ideasWe appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this valuable effortWe value the opportunity to partner with such esteemed institutions6

USGS personnel preparing material for scanning.

HighlightsIA has scanned the first 5 books of about 250 titles currently on loan from USGS to Smithsonian PaleobotanyObservations on fossil vegetables accompanied by representations of their internal structure as seen through the microscope (1831)Die Dendrolithen in Beziehung auf ihren inneren Bau : mit zwanizig Steindrucktafeln (1832)The internal structure of fossil vegetables found in the carboniferous and oolitic deposits of Great Britain (1833)Die Pflanzenwelt vor dem Erscheinen des Menschen (1881)As well as a lovely 1845 volume of: American wild flowers in their native haunts7

HighlightsOn the Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants (1865)1st edition of a work by Charles Darwin. A little research revealed it to be the first published edition of a paper that wasnt published in book form until 1875.Die Alpenpflanzen (1879-1884)This beautiful set was rediscovered in our general collection. Each of the four volumes contains 100 full-color plates illustrating the flowers of the Alps. The color variation on the pages is natural, possibly chosen intentionally to accent the color of each flower. Botanical Atlas: Phanerogams & Cryptogams (1883)Phanerogams (vol. 1) was pulled from our general collection. We discovered it was the first of two volumes, but we didnt have the other half. Unable to resist completing the set, we found and ordered Cryptogams from a bookseller in England. We found out that the first volume was published in New York by one publisher and the second in Edinborough, by another.

8

Images of materials scanned by USGS and waiting to load into the BHL.

HighlightsFlora Virginica (1762)This 250 year old book describes the flora of Virginia fourteen years before the Declaration of Independence was written. With deeply creased pages and faded text (in Latin), digitizing this book was a challenge. We improvised, using felt and foam padding to make a jigsaw puzzle of support for each page.9

Image from Flora Virginica (1762) and photograph of USGS personnel working with the book during digitization.

ContactsRichard Huffine, Library Director703-648-7182rhuffine@usgs.govHelen Tong, Digital Services Manager703-648-7182htong@usgs.govJenna Nolt, Digital Services Lead Developer(703) 648-6209jnolt@usgs.gov

10