The RCN will develop three major resources for natural history collections: a catalogue of collections, a register of curatorial expertise, and an inventory of successful and innovative educational programs.

The catalogue of collections will be an online database of all natural history collections in the U.S . Because there is currently no comprehensive list of collections it is difficult for many users, especially potential users outside of the systematics community, to obtain information about where collections exist or how to access the specimens or data. A few disciplines, such as plant, mammal and paleontology collections, have lists of collections or online databases, but many disciplines lack even the most rudimentary compilation of information. In collaboration with NSCA, we will design a catalogue that will include information about the content, size, taxonomic and geographic scope of collections, along with information about how access the collections and data, plus contact information for each collection. These data will be fully searchable in a publicly accessible online catalogue and will complement taxon-specific sources already available.

A register of curatorial expertise will be established in partnership with SPNHC. This register will contain information on expertise of individuals in curatorial procedures such as emergency preparedness, preservation, conservation, data management, etc., so that experts in these areas can be readily identified when needed.

An inventory of innovative and successful educational programs that incorporate collections or collections research will provide a major education and outreach component to CollectionsWeb. Not only will programs at major museums be highlighted, but also programs at universities, local museums, nature centers and botanical gardens that use collections. The catalogue will include links (when relevant), descriptions of the programs, and contact information for people involved in creation and execution of these programs.