Physical samples and digital libraries

Research in disciplines such as the earth and biological sciences depends on the availability of representative physical samples that have been collected at substantial cost and effort and some are irreplaceable. The EarthCube iSamples (Internet of Samples in the Earth Sciences) Research Coordination Network (RCN), funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to connect physical samples and sample collections across the Earth Sciences with digital data infrastructures to revolutionize their utility in the support of science. The goal of this workshop is to attract a broad audience comprising of earth scientists and other scientists working with physical samples, data curators, and computer and information scientists to learn from each other about the requirements of physical as well as digital sample and collection management.