[Taxacom] Next Steps: Economic Analyses of Costs and Benefits of Scientific Collections

[Schindel, David]

Dear Colleagues,

I'm writing to report on next steps being taken related to the economic study report<https://iwgsc.nal.usda.gov/economic-analyses-federal-scientific-collections> by the Interagency Working Group on Scientific Collections<https://iwgsc.nal.usda.gov/> (IWGSC).  IWGSC agencies have been studying the report and formulating their plans for implementation.  Some of them may ask for presentations for staff members, and Scott Miller and I have offered to schedule agency-specific online briefings.  Other agencies may give presentations at upcoming IWGSC meetings, at which their proposed implementation plans can be discussed by all agency representatives.  One agency asked IWGSC to submit an abstract about the report to a professional society meeting, and Scott, the agency representative to IWGSC, and I have submitted one.  I've developed the attached generic abstract that can be modified for submission to other conferences.

Scott and I invite your organizations to express interest in having one of use give an online briefing to your staff members, and/or professional meetings.  IWGSC agencies are interested in discussing three issues (among others), and we'd be interested to learn what issues raised by the report are of greatest interest to you and your organization.  They are:

  *   The stakeholders/audiences for their collection's performance metrics, and what kinds of benefits would be most relevant to them;
  *   The effort it would take to estimate the true operating costs of their collections, in the context of their particular budgeting practices; and
  *   Which method(s) for documenting benefits aligns best with agency mission and stakeholder preferences.

The following resources may be useful in stimulating discussion within your organization.  Please feel free to modify and distribute them:

  *   A generic abstract (attached);
  *   A short video introduction to the report<https://figshare.com/s/f68668786d2b9bb3d035>  (mp4, 3 minutes): This introduction provides an overview of the scope, goals, and results of the study that led to this report;
  *   A slide presentation<https://iwgsc.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/files/EconomicStudyReport30Nov20.pdf> (pdf, 21 pages): This presentation was designed as the standard for disseminating the results of the study and for stimulating discussion about implementing its recommendations; and an
  *   IWGSC Press Release<https://iwgsc.nal.usda.gov/news/report-iwgsc-highlights-long-term-benefits-scientific-collections>: The IWGSC co-chairs from the Smithsonian Institution and USDA have issued this press release concerning the advisory report.

We look forward to working with you and your organizations to promote clearer understanding and appreciation for the costs and benefits of scientific collections.  Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions and expressions of interest.

Regards to all,

David