IDigBio Working Groups

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Overview

iDigBio supports a number of Working Groups and Interest Groups, which form and dissolve organically according to current needs. Working Groups and Interest Groups are small, enduring, topic-focused, collaborative groups of individuals (typically 10-15 participants). Members of these groups collaborate virtually via the iDigBio Forums, Listservs, Wiki, Tele/Video-Conferencing, and/or via onsite meetings to resolve issues and advance progress on the goals of the group. Group membership may change over time; however, the structure and objectives of the group are long-standing. Temporary Working/Interest Groups are typically focused on delivery of short-term objectives, while standing Working Groups are tasked with ongoing research, development, and improvement activities.

This page provides an overview of iDigBio's current (active) and disbanded (inactive) Working Groups and Interest Groups.

The section "Overlap with Other Working Groups" should be used to list subject areas that may duplicate some effort from another Working/Interest Group. When Working/Interest Group activities stray into these overlapping subject areas, then collaboration between working groups is warranted for those tasks or objectives.

Forming or Dissolving a Working/Interest Group

Working Groups and Interest Groups are allowed to form and dissolve organically according to current needs. No formal proposal to iDigBio is required to form or dissolve a Working/Interest Group; simply complete the basic information about the group on this page. The Working/Interest Group leader is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the information on this page.

Active Working Groups

Augmented Reality Public Outreach Working Group

Background: In 2014, the iDigBio Steering Committee voted to fund the production of a set of augmented reality (AR) flashcards similar to those portrayed in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STc8Nsx36MI for the ADBC community's public outreach.
Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope The working group will produce one card per TCN for a desktop AR software application. Each card will convey information about the TCN and the value of its targeted biodiversity research specimens and will provide augmented reality buttons that link to further information on the web. For example, a card with a 2-D herbarium specimen image on it could spring to life through the augmented reality viewer, producing a 3-D model of the fresh flower of the species that can be manipulated by turning the card. Combining the herbarium specimen image and an insect card image in the viewer could potentially launch a pollination video—a response that would not occur with either card alone. The goal is to have an exciting interactive tool for formal and informal education initiatives AND build collaboration on the education and outreach front within our ADBC community.
Overlap with Other Working Groups
Links

Augmenting OCR (aOCR)

Background: The Augmenting OCR working group formed from the first iDigBio Summit in 2011 out of a community consensus wish to attempt improving OCR output and algorithm tools to speed up the digitization process. Initial group members were suggested by those present at Summit 2011.

Our current working group met, in person, at a workshop in October 2012 to learn more about each other's use of OCR and OCR output, plan a February 2013 hackathon, develop content for our iSchools 2013 iConference workshop panel, and learn more about the latest developments in handwriting recognition. We put together iDigBio's first hackathon and presented our working group plans at iConference13. In December of 2013, at the iDigBio CITScribe hackathon, the aOCR working group built some working demos of visualization tools that facilitate searching of OCR output. These tools present novel ways to create record sets for citizen scientists, researchers, and data validators too. A recorded demonstration iDigBio webinar: Visualize Text Data From OCR Output on 22 January 2014 presented live demos of these OCR output visualization tools to show how they fit in a digitization workflow.

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope Engage experts in the biodiversity and information technology fields to identify opportunities to broadly implement existing effective OCR tools and enhance existing Machine and Natural Language Processing technologies to meet the needs of the biodiversity community. Want to know more? Contact Bryan Heidorn or Deborah Paul or any other member of the working group. We'd like to hear from you!
Overlap with Other Working Groups Needing access to the specimen label images on the iDigBio server, the aOCR working group overlaps with the cyberinfrastructure working group. This includes OS issues as well as hardware minimum requirements necessary for whatever hack-a-thon type activities the aOCR group persues.
Links

Biodiversity Informatics Management (BIM) Working Group

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope The role of biodiversity informatics management and biodiversity informatics managers as a recognized profession is becoming increasingly important to digitization programs, biodiversity data management, and to museum organizational hierarchy. The most successful digitization programs visited by Nelson and Paul (2012) in preparation for their paper in Zookeys were directly dependent on the presence of strong biodiversity informatics managers with well-defined roles, supported from the top of the organizational hierarchy, and focused on providing guidance and service to digitization staff and initiatives. The institutionalization of this role will ensure the sustainability of digitization initiatives. Members of the Droid 1 workgroup recognized this need as an important component underlying successful implementation of digitization workflows and practices, and strongly suggested that iDigBio sponsor a working group focused on this issue.
Overlap with Other Working Groups  
Links Working Group Wiki, Listserv

Cyberinfrastructure (CYWG)

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope Define, document and test iDigBio service Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and appliances. The first phase will focus on data ingestion APIs and appliances considering TCN use cases.

Definition and documentation of potential services and appliances for OCR and georeferencing are left to the respective working groups. Definition of data structure for ingestion is left to MISC working group.

Overlap with Other Working Groups None
Links

Data Management Interest Group (DMI)

Keeping up with data requires certain skills and infrastructure. This Interest Group discusses issues surrounding shared data and the help and information the community needs in order to ensure the provider has the most up-to-date versions of their own datasets. Many providers find their data enriched by an aggregator, only to discover their own database cannot hold the enriched data, or that they do not have the skills needed to update their database. It is our intent in this group, to provide a forum for discussion, and act as a resource for guidance to point providers toward potential solutions. At the same time, this group is aware that the shared-data landscape is a moving target. To keep up, we invite anyone with an interest in this topic to join us. Currently we plan to meet bi-monthly.

We plan to kick off this Interest Group with a Webinar: Thursday, August 7th 2014. 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT iDigBio Calendar Announcement

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members



  • * indicates inaugural members
Mission & Scope We aim to help the community with the challenges of keeping up with shared data by pointing those who need help to the existing resources or gather more about what needs to be done.
Overlap with Other Working Groups We overlap somewhat with CYWG, BIM, and DROID
Links Data Mgmt Interest Group Wiki (DMI)

Training Workshops Wiki
Image File Format Requirements and Recommendations
Flat Sheets and Packets published workflows

Developing Robust Object to Image to Data (DROID1)

The various preparation-specific DROID working groups was spawned from the DROID workshop, held in Gainesville, Florida in May 2012. The purpose of this workshop was an exploration of digitization workflows and methods for improving workflow efficiency across preparation types. The DROID 1 working group is focused on flat sheets and packets digitization, primarily as this relates to herbarium collections. Flat Sheets and Packets completed a set of workflows in fall 2012 and published them on iDigBio's Documentation Page.

An herbarium digitization workshop was spawned from the DROID effort,during which the workflows developed by Flat Sheets and Packets were presented and distributed. A digitization training workshop wiki has been created to provide links to resources for this and upcoming workshops spawned by the initial DROID workshop.

DROID 1 workflows development also led to considerations of imaging standards, which resulted in the development of iDigBio's statement of Image File Format Requirements and Recommendations, also published in fall 2012.

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope The Flat Sheets and Packets Working Group (DROID1) is devoting its attention to developing workflow modules and tasks recommendations for vascular and non-vascular plant specimens.
Overlap with Other Working Groups See WG for DROID2 and DROID3
Links Wiki

Training Workshops Wiki
Image File Format Requirements and Recommendations
Flat Sheets and Packets published workflows

Developing Robust Object to Image to Data (DROID2)

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope The Pinned Specimens in Trays and Drawers Working Group is devoting its attention to developing workflow modules and task lists for digitizing dry, pinned specimens.
Overlap with Other Working Groups See WG for DROID1 and DROID3
Links Wiki

Photo - First Meeting of DROID2 Working Group

Developing Robust Object to Image to Data (DROID3): 3D Objects and Things in Spirits

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope The working group will devote its attention to specimens in jars and of greater 3D dimensionality.
Overlap with Other Working Groups See WG for DROID1 and DROID2
Links Wiki

Education & Outreach (E&O)

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope This working group will:
  • Coordinate Education and Outreach activities
  • Communicate with TCNs
  • Develop activities of interest to the HUB and TCNs
  • Establish regular communication with one Education and Outreach point person from each TCN
  • Plan for, and implement, Education and Outreach Workshop
  • Facilitate common goals
Overlap with Other Working Groups  
Links Education and Outreach Working Group Wiki: about the working group, meeting notes and links to documentation from the working group.

Georeferencing Working Group (GWG)

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope We're building a community of expert georeferencing trainers from our first and second Train-the-Trainers (TTT) Georeferencing Workshops. Check out our [videos] anyone can use for training. We're also helping to advance the capabilities of georeferencing tools. Want to know more? Contact any member of the working group. We'd love to hear from you.
Overlap with Other Working Groups  
Links Georeferencing Wiki: a compiled, annotated listing of helpful links / resources for georeferencing

Georeferencing Resources: descriptions and links to what's available (wiki, list serve, forum,... on this website for help with georeferencing.
Georeferencing Discussion Forum: got a georeferencing question? Ask us!
Georeferencing Working Group Wiki: about the working group, meeting notes and links to documentation from the working group.
GWG listserve
Meeting Room http://idigbio.adobeconnect.com/geotrain

International Whole-Drawer Digitization Interest Group (WDD)

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope

This interest group is devoted to discussion related to whole-drawer and bulk imaging of dried, pinned insect collection drawers and related bulk specimen containers. The interest group schedules regular discussion sessions via Adobe Connect for the purpose of sharing techniques, strategies, uses, improvements, and technology associated with producing a single image of an entire insect drawer. Resources, related documents, and discussion notes are found in the link below.

Overlap with Other Working Groups  
Links Listserv, Working Group Wiki

Interoperability for Public Participation in Digitization (CitSciInterop)

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope Improve interoperability among the major actors in the new domain of public participation in digitization of biodiversity research specimens.
Overlap with Other Working Groups The group's goals most closely complement those of the User Engagement for Public Participation in Digitization Working Group.
Links

Working Group Wiki, Transcription Hackathon

North American Network of Small Herbaria Working Group (NANSH)

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope TBD
Overlap with Other Working Groups See WG for DROID1, DROID2, DROID3, and DROID4
Links Wiki

Paleo Digitization Working Group (PaleoDigi)

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope TBD
Overlap with Other Working Groups See WG for DROID1, DROID2 and DROID3
Links Wiki, Listserv

Strategic Communication Interest Group

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope We will be developing a strategic communications plan and organizing an advisory panel of communications experts, corporate social responsibility and fundraising experts, and key stakeholders from the collections community. Our collective charge is: (1) to develop a unified platform for communicating the importance of digitization efforts; (2) to identify specific needs of the collection community, develop strategies for addressing these needs through communications activities (including education and outreach), and formalize goals and objectives; and (3) to design implementable activities that can meet our goals/objectives and effectively engage iDigBio target audiences. We will provide recommendations to iDigBio that increase the momentum of digitization/outreach activities on a national scale and ensure the long-term sustainability of these efforts.
Overlap with Other Working Groups  
Links

Sustainability Working Group (SWG)

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
  • Dave Bloom, Chair
  • Deanna Stouder, Facilitator
  • Robert Gropp
  • Barbara Thiers
  • Hank Bart
  • Kevin Love
  • Larry Page (ExOfficio)
Mission & Scope The charge for the group is to write a proposal to conduct a feasibility study around charging for the use of data services. This proposal is part of the requirements for iDigBio funding from participants. Once the proposal is reviewed and potentially funding the group will move forward with their charge. This Working Group will present their report to iDigBio and to the broader TCN community.
Overlap with Other Working Groups  
Links Wiki


User Engagement for Public Participation in Digitization (CitSciEngage)

Data Field Details
Status Active
Members
Mission & Scope Develop successful strategies for engagement of the public in digitization online and onsite.
Overlap with Other Working Groups The group's goals most closely complement those of the Interoperability for Public Participation in Digitization Working Group.
Links

Working Group Wiki

Website Content Providers Editorial Board and Interest Group

Data Field Details
Status Active when a need arises
Members
Mission & Scope We meet to determine content formulation processes, write documents to support access to information for content providers, create and deliver in-house content training, we also constitute an editorial board for the iDigBio.org website content and overall look & feel. We believe in constant improvement, and we aim to keep the level of service to our biodiversity community via the website at a high level of satisfaction.
Overlap with Other Working Groups  
Links

Content Style Guide and Workflow

Inactive Working Groups

Authority Files

Data Field Details
Status Merged: The Authority Files Working Group has merged with the MISC Working Group, with Katja Seltmann and Gil Nelson as Co-Leads. See below: Minimum Information Standards, Authority Files, & Semantics.
Original Members (Now Included Below)
Mission & Scope  
Overlap with other Working Groups  
Links Authority File Working Group Resources

Intellectual Property Policy

Data Field Details
Status Inactive
Members
Mission & Scope Produce a clear Intellectual Property Policy to establish data ownership rights and data re-use requirements related to content presented via iDigBio by collections and institutions.
Overlap with Other Working Groups None identified
Links

Final Published Document

Note: This document is open for community comment

Minimum Information Standards, Authority Files, & Semantics (MISC)

Data Field Details
Status Done (Inactive), activated when a need arises
Members
Mission & Scope 1) Establish the working group and its goals, with the guidance of participants from the MISC breakout group from iDigBio's It Standards workshop. 2) Document basic assumptions underpinning a minimal information for scientific collections expectation. 3) Develop a document outlining and providing a rationale for required, minimal, desired, and supplementary data elements to be provided by iDigBio contributors. 4) Develop guidelines for data validation, training and assistance to iDigBio contributors for configuring data for ingestion into the iDigBio portal.
Overlap with Other Working Groups The overlap between the MISC and Authority Files Working groups prompted merging into a single working group.
Links MISC Authority File Working Group, Discussion Forum

Paleontology (Paleo)

Data Field Details
Status Inactive
Members
Mission & Scope This group is currently being formed. One of the group's first tasks will be to define a Mission and Scope. Broadly, the group will maintain awareness of digitization activities and needs within the Paleontology community, and promote communication between Neontology/Paleontology/Information Technology partners.
Overlap with Other Working Groups  
Links Listserv, Discussion Forum, Working Group Wiki

Public Participation in Digitization (CitSci)

Data Field Details
Status Inactive
Members
Mission & Scope Identify and improve aspects of biodiversity digitization workflows that can be newly architected or enhanced to take advantage of public participation. This working group completed its initial goals and has been replaced by the Interoperability for Public Participation in Digitization Working Group and the User Engagement for Public Participation in Digitization Working Group.
Overlap with Other Working Groups  
Links

Working Group Wiki