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The Site-Based Data Curation (SBDC) project is developing a framework of guidelines and processes for the curation of research data generated at scientifically significant sites. SBDC will advance the professional work of curation by articulating principles, workflows and inter-institutional relationships essential for site-based curation. Work to date has concentrated on stakeholder analysis, with results informing metadata guidelines for capture of essential site-based specifics and clarifying the value in aggregating data around site factors for both scientist and YNP stakeholder groups.

To reduce loss of life and injury resulting from earthquakes, the relationship between earthquake-induced building failure and injury severity and distribution needs to be clarified. For this purpose, a series of data collection forms were developed to collect pertinent data for post-event analysis and to provide a basis for structural triage in the field shortly following an earthquake for search and rescue purposes. A companion paper described the identification of variables affecting the outcome of an occupant of a damaged building and the classification of these variables into three levels of priority for data collection. This paper continues the development by describing the design of the data collection forms and the application of the forms to damaged buildings from past earthquakes. These forms represent a significant departure from existing forms in that they consider both casualties and building damage jointly, and in a consistent format.

During an earthquake, buildings which are vulnerable to seismic loads will be damaged, resulting in property loss and the potential for casualties. To reduce loss of life and injury, the relationship between earthquake-induced building failure and injury severity and distribution needs to be clarified. To this end, a methodology and a series of data collection forms were developed to collect pertinent data for post-event analysis and to provide a basis for structural triage in the field shortly following an earthquake for search and rescue purposes. The forms were developed in four steps: (1) identifying the variables which affect the outcome of an occupant in a damaged building; (2) classifying the variables into three levels of priority for data collection; (3) designing the forms; and (4) applying the forms to damaged buildings from past earthquakes. These forms represent a significant departure from existing forms in that they consider both casualties and building damage jointly in a consistent format. This paper describes the first two steps of the development process; a companion paper outlines the latter components.

This paper addresses issues in digital curation, which is the management of digital assets throughout their life cycle for maximum interoperability, discovery, preservation and re-use. The experiences of two institutions—Johns Hopkins University’s Sheridan Libraries and Penn State University Libraries—are presented as examples of how libraries can collaborate successfully with publishers to provide preservation and other back-end services to support scholarly publishing. One example (Johns Hopkins) relates to scientific data, while the other (Penn State) relates to the humanities. The paper also discusses the potential of digital curation to expand and enhance library services broadly and describes the investment the Institute of Museum and Library Services has made in digital curation research, education, and practice.