QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER | SUMMER 2016

An award, new partners, new projects, and we're hiring! See what's new at BHL!

Inspiring Discovery through Free Access to Biodiversity Knowledge.

The Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) improves research methodology by collaboratively making biodiversity literature openly available to the world as part of a global biodiversity community.
DLF Community/Capacity Award
DLF Community_Capacity Award Logo
DLF Community/Capacity Award Logo

BHL was awarded the inaugural Digital Library Federation (DLF) 2016 Community/Capacity Award along with the American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB). The award honors constructive, community-minded capacity-building and collaborative efforts in digital libraries, archives, and museums. Sixteen organizations, projects, and individuals were nominated for the award, and DLF member organizations voted to determine the winner. In a tie-vote, the DLF community selected BHL and AAPB as the first-ever winners of the Community/Capacity Award. Both organizations will be recognized during an award ceremony at the 2016 DLF Forum this November in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Learn more.
NDSR Cohort and 5 Job Openings!

BHL, led by the Ernst Mayr Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University (MCZ), will host a National Digital Stewardship Residency (NDSR) cohort as part of the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Entitled "Foundations to Actions: Extending Innovations in Digital Libraries in Partnership with NDSR Learners," the program will include five geographically-distributed residents, all graduates of LIS or related master's programs, in a collaborative project to improve tools, curation, and content stewardship at BHL. Residents will be hosted by the Field Museum of Natural History and the Chicago Botanic Garden, Harvard University, Missouri Botanical Garden, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, and Smithsonian Libraries. Learn more.

We're currently accepting applications for the five NDSR resident positions. Learn more about the positions and how to apply.

NDSR Cohort
NDSR Cohort
New Affiliates

BHL is pleased to welcome two new Affiliates from the Czech Republic: the Národní Muzeum (National Museum in Prague) and the Mendel Museum. The National Museum in Prague (NMP) is the largest museum in the Czech Republic. NMP has actively participated in BHL Europe since 2009 and is committed to facilitating the ongoing participation of European institutions within BHL's global framework. The Mendel Museum is dedicated to spreading the scientific legacy of the Augustinian abbot Gregor Johann Mendel. The museum holds a collection of Mendel's manuscripts, which have never before been available online. The BHL consortium now consists of fifteen Affiliates and sixteen Members. 
BHL is now on Instagram!

BHL's newly-launched Instagram focuses on sharing the beautiful scientific illustrations in our collection. The feed is curated by BHL citizen scientist Michelle Marshall, who first became involved with BHL through Flickr tagging. Her work for @HistSciArt on Twitter inspired us to invite her to curate our Instagram feed. Learn more about the feed and follow us today!
BHL on Instagram
BHL on Instagram
New In-copyright Content in BHL

BHL loves open access
Since the start of 2016, BHL has received permission to add over 60 new in-copyright titles to our collection under Creative Commons licenses. Many of these agreements are the result of the Expanding Access to Biodiversity Literature (EABL) project. EABL solicits print and digital materials from content providers across the United States, including small organizations with unique publications that reflect their niche research areas. Explore some of our recent permissions titles today.
BHL@10 Notable Books Collection
H_bner_s papilio _1796-1841_
Hübner's papilio (1796-1841), contributed by Cornell University Library, may in fact be a unique and unpublished work.

2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the Biodiversity Heritage Library. To celebrate, we asked each of our Members, Affiliates, and Partners to nominate a favorite or noteworthy title that they have contributed to BHL. From the first major illustrated publication on the flora and fauna of North America, to Mendel's seminal work on inheritance and a first edition of Darwin's On the Origin of Species (annotated by Asa Gray!), this collection includes rare, monumental, and groundbreaking publications that have helped shape the field of natural history and biodiversity research for centuries. Learn more and explore the collection today.

Presentations about BHL!

Explore the many presentations staff have given about BHL over the past few months.

Get Involved with BHL!

There are many ways to get involved in BHL, from becoming a Member or Affiliate and contributing content to donating to support BHL or participating in one of our many citizen science activities. Currently, BHL's volunteer opportunities include Flickr image tagging, transcribing field books as part of The Field Book Project, correcting OCR via our two crowdsourcing games, or describing illustrations via Science Gossip on Zooniverse. Learn more about how you can get involved today!

Support BHL

Providing researchers with free access to biodiversity knowledge is critical to saving life on Earth. Help us accomplish this goal by donating to BHL today!

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