Meeting Abstract

P1.26  Sunday, Jan. 4  Recent and Ongoing Collections Facility Renovations at the Museum of Comparative Zoology (Harvard University) BALDINGER, A.J.*; CHUPASKO, J.M.; FORD, L.S.; HANKEN, J.; HARTEL, K.E.; ROSADO, J.; TRIMBLE, J.; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University abaldinger@oeb.harvard.edu

Harvards Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) houses some of the most historically significant and biologically diverse natural-history collections in the world. Extensive renovations that facilitate collections storage, collections-based research and teaching have been underway for the last several years and continue today. Major collection-room renovations have taken place in many MCZ departments including herpetology, ichthyology, malacology, mammalogy and ornithology. Funded by both the MCZ and the U.S. National Science Foundation, these renovations include the installation of new storage-efficient collections cabinetry and shelving, which provide much-needed collections-room expansion space, easier specimen retrievability and enhanced security for the specimens. Separate electronic databasing and digital-imaging initiatives complement renovations of the physical space and enhance collections access and utility.