In one of the first efforts of its kind, the NCAR Library
has launched the preliminary
version of the Warren M. Washington Digital Collection,
an online resource chronicling the career of Warren Washington
(ESSL/CGD).
Visitors can explore the site (see “On
the Web”), which is still a work
in progress, via an interactive
timeline that documents
Warren’s life with photographs, webcasts,
movies, animations, and more.
With the help of an online finding aid, scholars can
delve into a collection that encompasses Warren’s
publications, models and output, correspondence, honors
and awards, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, diversity
efforts, photographs, and media coverage. The site also
includes Warren’s biography,
curriculum vitae, and publications list.
Many of his accomplishments have
been in collaboration with other NCAR scientists, such
as Jerry Meehl and Akira Kasahara in CGD.
“Warren is a scientific trailblazer, an adviser
to presidents and other influential people, and
a role model to African Americans
and all Americans,” says
Mary Marlino. “The NCAR Library is honored to be
able to present his story in
this way.”
Library
unveils new website
In late April,
the Library launched a fresh website that features
a new interface and different organization system
for materials and tools, with an eye toward providing
easy access to digital materials. Future plans
include developing more special collections and
implementing new tools for searching, accessing,
and storing digital materials.
Mary conceived of the idea for
the digital collection when she
became director
of e-Science and the NCAR Library
last year. One of her goals for the Library is to feature
more digital content. This includes not just providing
more information online, but building cohesive collections
and better methods to search them.
“For Warren’s online collection, we could
simply have built a search engine to a disconnected set
of information bits,” explains Web producer
Kris Conrad (Library/Director’s Office), who’s
worked with Mary, Warren, and Diane Rabson (Archives)
to build the site. “A collection that can be explored
via an interactive timeline goes a step further by putting
that information into context and telling a story.
“Warren has a tremendous story to tell about his
life,” Kris adds. “He’s achieved so
much in the field of climate
science and modeling, has been very politically involved,
and, on top of all that, has found time to help pave
the way for others via his diversity efforts.”
The
Library hopes to produce similar
collections for other prominent NCAR scientists in the
future.•
