University of Washington (Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture)

In anticipation of a new museum facility, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Washington will improve the collection care, management, and accessibility of its malacology (shell) collection, considered the most extensive and valuable in the Pacific Northwest. This project will enhance the museum's ability to manage the collection by electronically cataloging, and labeling 20,000 specimen lots; improving collection care by rehousing 20,000 lots in archival specimen containers; broadening accessibility to the collection by rehousing 75,000 lots in new cabinets in the museum facility; and launching a publically-accessible online portal for the collection database. In addition, a portion of the work will take place in an experimental "Inside Out" gallery, providing museum visitors with an authentic experience that reveals the inner workings of a museum. The museum will also present the project results at professional conferences to share successes and lessons learned with the museum community.