ENHANCEMENT OF THE BEAR GULCH COLLECTIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA

The University of Montana Paleontology Center (UMPC) has used many different data base programs (Microsoft Access, MUSE, and Specify) to manage the collections in the past. Although these programs are excellent for entering collection data, they all were missing one key component - internet accessibility. A three-year NSF grant, focusing on the Carboniferous Bear Gulch Limestone (BGL) fauna of Montana, has set into motion the development of an uniquely designed data base program, the completion of a large scale inventory, and the renovation of UMPC facilities. The BGL collection contains a wealth of vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant specimens, with an estimated size of 3,200 specimens, including 620 type specimens. In order to enhance the utilization of the BGL collection the UMPC 1) purchased equipment, additional storage cases, and a space saving compactor system, 2) developed an interactive web site, 3) inventoried and digitized the BGL collection, including a large orphaned collection that was repatriated to the UMPC, 4) employed part-time student assistance, 5) connected the collection to the NSF-funded paleobiology database (in progress). The campus' in-house web programmer designed our data base with dual funchtions: first, as a web site to promote the UMPC (programs, classes, etc.), and second, as an on-line data base that allows the scientific community to access the collections for research. Digitization of the collections started with BGL type and figured specimens, then continuing later with the remaining non-type specimens. Student assistants and volunteers entered all of the known information (i.e. taxon, locality, etc.) into the data base. Then the specimen was scanned or photographed and the image was uploaded to the specimen information page. Remote users are able to conduct "live" searches through our collection, view thumb-nail images of specimens, and prepare their own loan request. Results of this project will make the collection more accessible and will benefit paleontological research by enhancing preservation and conservation, assisting in the training of graduate and undergraduate students, and supporting public outreach through K-12 educational activities.