Beach, J.: Introduction to Symposium (2 min), Anhalt, B.: Collaborative Cataloging and Reassembling Specimen Records using Scatter-Gather-Reconcile (15 m), Bentley, A.: Digitization Strategies: 2D Spreadsheets, Relational Data Forms, and Mapping Between Them (15 m), Granzow-de la Cerda, I.: How Much Duplicate Botanical Data is Available for Digitization Reuse? (15 m), Rios, N.: Embedding Georeferencing within Digitization Workflows (15 m).  Spears, R.: Instrumenting Software to Support Collaborative Work of Digitization Networks (15 m).

This symposium will explore perspectives on database and web service software support of biological collection digitization. We will use Specify Software and GEOLocate components to illustrate key functions and capabilities. Specimen digitization software tools should accommodate various concepts collections researchers employ for specimen information, and offer multiple paths for data entry optimization. Data enhancement and validation services, such as georeferencing functions when integrated within workflows, make specimen data record assembly efficient and complete. A portable client, web-services architecture and pluggable computing platform make that possible. Multi-institutional collaborative cataloging of biological specimens creates new opportunities for specimen data re-use and consolidation. We will illustrate capabilities for assembling data records from multiple sources of information—a particularly useful collaboration method for botanical and entomological collections. Easy discovery of previously used collecting event and locality data, including georeferences, can streamline new record creation, as can gathering of previously computerized plant specimen data from duplicate specimens curated elsewhere. With botany, a substantial percentage of data records representing information from specimen replicates is already online, and some digitization projects will benefit in quality and productivity by tapping into online caches of specimen data.  Software communication services and reporting can create virtual organizations among collections with common digitization goals.  Near real-time assessment of digitization progress can provide vital feedback for goal-directed management and resource allocation at a thematic network, or national level.