Hi All,
I just joined this list today as a Public Library Director and Board member
of the Pinhead Institute (yes, yes, the name has historical meaning!). The
Pinhead institute is facilitating a meeting of biologists and technologists
to start the process of cataloging all the species on the planet. The
Smithsonian Institute has agreed to be the "hub of the wheel," so to speak,
with this project.
E.O. Wilson has agreed to come and be the keynote speaker for the meeting.
Cristian Samper (Director, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian
Institution) will be there to orchestrate the proceedings. I've attached a
press release that more fully explains the purpose of the meeting with a
more complete list of confirmed attendees.
As a librarian, I see this as a big cataloging project. I also see similar
challenges of melding diverse databases (Z39.5) and reaching consensus as to
what data elements need to be collected and shared (Dublin Core).
The first of two meetings will be held here in Telluride, CO on February 12,
13 & 14, 2004.
I have been hounding the program organizers to invite someone from the
library community that has technological experience with the issues I've
broadly mentioned above. Our problem is that we don't have any idea as to
WHO.
Time is very short (my apologies), but I would like to be able to have the
library experience as part of this discussion.
Can someone "out-there" help me with contact information for people who
might find this project an intriguing challenge and can help us sort through
the issues?
The Institute is prepared to offer $500 travel stipend and all costs for
room and board to someone who would be interested in participating.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of something globally
equivalent to the Human Genome Project or Apollo 11.
Thanks in advance.
Sincerely,
Robin Magee
Library Director
San Miguel County Public Library District #1
Telluride, CO 81435
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