Definitions for Table 1

Definitions for column headings in Table 1:

Institutions: The number of institutions surveyed in report or survey.

Individuals: Does the survey collect data on individuals, where an individual is someone who uses the collection for scientific research purposes, either on-site or remotely, by him- or herself? If available, the number of individuals is reported in this column.

Governance: Does the survey collect data on the institution’s governing unit (eg. Federal agency, state agency, non-profit)?

Purpose: Does the survey collect data on the institution or collection’s primary function, service or purpose (eg. Medical research, education, environmental monitoring)?

Duplication: Does the survey collect data about duplication of the collection in other repositories or the uniqueness of the collection?

Users: Does the survey collect data on who uses the collection?

Size: Does the survey collect data on the size of the collection, whether actual number of specimens or size of lots containing specimens?

Scope: Does the survey collect data on the contents or geographic range of the collection?

Resources: Does the survey collect data on the financial resources of the institution?

Accessibility: Does the survey collect data on how accessible the collection is to the outside community (ie. Percentange of the collection that is electronically catalogued)?

Funding: Does the survey collect data on the institution’s funding associated with the management of the collection(s)?

Management: Does the survey collect data on the availability or status of written and approved policies and procedures designed to guide the management of collections?

Staffing: Does the survey collect information on the current staff working with the collection(s)?

Response: Does the survey report the response rate they achieved in the data call? If available, the percentage is reported in this column.