# Annotating specimens and other data

**URL:** <https://discourse.gbif.org/t/annotating-specimens-and-other-data/2419>\
**Category:** Digital/Extended Specimen\
**Created:** [January 30, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://discourse.gbif.org/t/annotating-specimens-and-other-data/2419 "2021-01-30T16:04:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 29

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**Author:** ![Debbie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/gbif1/user_avatar/discourse.gbif.org/debbie/32/61_2.png) [@Debbie](https://discourse.gbif.org/u/Debbie)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 6:11pm UTC](https://discourse.gbif.org/t/annotating-specimens-and-other-data/2419/29 "2021-02-16T18:11:33Z")

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> [@Rich87](#):
>
> Might be a good question to pose in a survey of CMs - where do they feel this task should fall amongst their other tasks?

Hi Rich, we do have some related data about this from SPNHC-TDWG 2018 and SPNHC 2019 Symposia and related survey data …

I would posit they would all love to do this, but it’s being added to the huge list of responsibilities / roles they are already expected to do (see @jegelewicz presentation from SPNHC-TDWG2018)

- Do we need more career paths?
- How much of this work can be automated? Jobs / careers evolve. A nurse of the 1930’s is not the same as a nurse today. See the talk by McCuller and Hogue about the huge changes in a the “Collection Manager” role over 20 years, SPNHC 2020 symposium.
- What does a museum human infrastructure need to function now that they’re managing 2 collections (physical and digital) – which require specific skills and knowledge.
- What happens with small collections in this respect? They can be more agile (less administrators to liaison with or navigate), but fewer resources too.
- Can we network some of these tasks around annotation (e.g vetting people identifiers and people data?). In other words, can we network our expertise? (I think maybe we have to).
- @Rich87 does museum leadership recognize the need to invest in annotations? That the annotation and attribution pieces hold much promise for improving awareness of collections, collections expertise, and value of these, and so faciliate FAIR too?

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