How Data in Library Holdings can be used to Improve Climate Databases (Invited Presentation)

Global climate change studies often rely on high quality long-term meteorological and oceanographic observed data. In many cases these observations exist only on hard copy or microfiche where they cannot be effectively combined with other digital data and easily used for research. We herein describe the elements of a process that will identify unique data not currently in digital form and which could potentially lead to the digitization and rescue of historical records from deteriorating media. The data archive teams at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) have large observation collections and these teams can determine, by comparison and inventories, if a non-digital data source is unique. After unique data has been documented and the value assessed, collaborative projects can potentially be started where the data are digitized as part of the Climate Database Modernization Program (CDMP) at NCDC. We are interested in learning more about the data holdings in the library community and fostering activities to enhance the digital data archives at NCAR and NCDC.