October 27, 2009 BHL Executive Committee notes

BHL Executive Conference Call - 27 Oct. 2009
Tom, Connie, Chris, Cathy, Martin
1. Darwin's Library ProjectNHM scanning their volumes, rest scanned by Cambridge Univ. Library (boutique); may be a few volumes that will need to come from other BHL libraries; want to scan volumes with handwritten annotations. Will the staff discuss this regarding duplication? Jane Smith (NHM) is the point of contact. We need to coordinate with Jane about what is scanned. No master list yet but will be ready soon. Once we have the list we can worry about de-duping. Questions about attribution--how can we make a unique look for these volumes? New work for MOBOT--create institution record and also have sponsor level. How will these materials be incorporated into AMNH Darwin page? Will have content and point to BHL. Is there a way to do a separate interface? Maybe via OMEKA? Web page for every book? Will this be a useful list for the IMLS project?Phase 2 funding to do a flickr, rollover annotation set. Are there any other collections to describe in this way? There is one with materials at MOBOT--a thematic view of BHL. This can be considered an enhancement to the BHL interface. Tom and Cathy are concerned about ensuring BHL work is a priority. Providing we can keep moving on BHL-specific priorites, other activities are ok. Chris noted that this is an exercise in content management, so not technical development. Chris is funded to do the work in the Darwin Library project; proposing to use OMEKA for content management side (funded by Darwin Library project)--gives us a good use case for BHL and fits into IMLS funding.
2. BHL Europe meeting: Graham not here. Agenda for meeting is very full, lots of items to read.
3. TDWG--Chris approved for working session. Walk through BHL development and new UI, descriptions of functional Drupal interface; describing data models and APIs as related to TDW standards. Phil and Anthony will do a working session on hardware storage structure; also producing a poster for TDWG.
Chris is on a 3 week BHL roadshow--bibliographic management, etc. DC, BHL Europe, TDWG. Will recap successes and development timeline and priorities.
4. MBL WHOI created a whole new server room.
5. BHL IC meetingAgenda is on wiki. Cathy suggested there should be a link to current strategic plan.
6. Status of Brazil and China:
China: suggest send BHL folks in January and then possibly they will send folks to US 6-12 months later. Tom will revise agenda and we should think about who should go, how much we can afford. May know about Moore funding before Christmas. The Chinese group would like to discuss copyright as well as transfer of info.
7. All BHL code (through google code) has been shared with Atlas of Living Australia. BHL code will be open and available. Is it time to raise an MOU with Donald Hobern? MOU provides framework for bringing in content and makes signer an official part of BHL. Rod Page and Tropicos and IPNI have more links into BHL than any others. Want to prevent technical chaos. Chris questions the value of the administrative resources that MOU eats up. Use caution. Martin suggested a slimmed down MOU that emphasizes cooperation/collaboration. Tom noted that it is appropriate to have different documents based on the parters--governments, etc. Tom willask Hobern about an MOU. Cathy and Chris can follow up at TDWG. Then we can review next steps.
8. Chris noted that the color scheme of BHL portal to fit in with the theme of the drupal interface.
9. Public wiki content set. Chris will let Mike know to pull it in.
10. Cathy asked Chris to do some live demos at the IC meeting.
Next call: November 24Dial the same phone number: 1-866-748-1119 Type in the passcode: 1912897#