To start my first #DayOfScience I wanted to start by answering what a collection manager actually… manages. This will vary between institution and position but is generally true. Most facilities have many cabinets of fossils, check out some of my awesome compact-able cabinets! The foundations of a collection manager position are with cataloging, imaging, and properly storing fossil specimens.We also share specimens with others, this is often in the form of loans. If a researcher is interested in my fossils but lives pretty far away, I can ship them to that person so they can look at them in their own facility. Loans are commonly for a year long period and then they must be returned. If the interested parties are close they can come visit. Last week I had two researchers interested in using clams to think about seasons in the Pliocene (~5.3-2.58 million years ago). I helped them find formations of interest in our stratigraphic collection and loaned them a few clams to test their ideas.I also spend time sharing my knowledge and interacting with the local community. Later today, I have an aspiring paleontologist coming to show me some fossil brachiopods she found near her home. I also attend the local fossil club meetings, which is where you will find experts on the local rocks and fossils of the area.
