104 · Survey Results: Survey Questions And Responses
require a different processing level. We would take into consideration size (linear ft.) From all of that, and based on prior
experience with similar collections, we would give an educated estimate of hours required.
Whenever possible, we attempt to run some real-time experiments to collect information. For example, with the theater
managers’ reports mentioned earlier, we have indexed sample pages to the point we can project time requirements for
the whole collection with some confidence. This is not always possible, of course, and a judgment must often be made
on the basis of experience. A key difficulty is making a judgment on the expectation that A will do the work, but A
leaves mid-course and the project is picked up by B — who has lesser or different abilities or knowledge.
18. Metrics is a formula used to measure or predict the success of outcomes. Does your unit/
department/library use processing metrics when making processing decisions? N=71
Yes 7 10%
No 64 90%
If yes, please briefly describe the formula and how it is applied to manuscript and archival
collections processing. N=7
Factors considered: hours of staff time type and condition of material and level of processing size of collections.
Goals are set for complete processing of a collection and the status of processing, whether in progress, complete, etc., is
reported through an annual report.
This has worked best for us with relatively orderly collections, especially heterogeneous ones.
Total linear feet of donation divided by hours processing (in half hour increments) — rate of processing from start to
finish including (but not limited to the following: Identify donation size and material types, physical and intellectual
condition, level of description required, outline procedures, initiate processing, record daily processing hours and tasks,
evaluate upon completion of processing to determine work rate).
We compare our estimate of time required with the actual time elapsed for the processing.
When I arrived in October 2006 I began to keep metrics. November 2007: 8 (eight) lf was processed. (Four FTE
archivists all item-level drudgery). November 2008: 347 lf processed (MPLP, standards, consistency). Fiscal Year
2007/2008: 1/2 mile of material processed!! 1/2 mile! This year I expect to beat that.
Yes, in the sense that we have a general guideline for personal papers vs. Office records, etc.
require a different processing level. We would take into consideration size (linear ft.) From all of that, and based on prior
experience with similar collections, we would give an educated estimate of hours required.
Whenever possible, we attempt to run some real-time experiments to collect information. For example, with the theater
managers’ reports mentioned earlier, we have indexed sample pages to the point we can project time requirements for
the whole collection with some confidence. This is not always possible, of course, and a judgment must often be made
on the basis of experience. A key difficulty is making a judgment on the expectation that A will do the work, but A
leaves mid-course and the project is picked up by B — who has lesser or different abilities or knowledge.
18. Metrics is a formula used to measure or predict the success of outcomes. Does your unit/
department/library use processing metrics when making processing decisions? N=71
Yes 7 10%
No 64 90%
If yes, please briefly describe the formula and how it is applied to manuscript and archival
collections processing. N=7
Factors considered: hours of staff time type and condition of material and level of processing size of collections.
Goals are set for complete processing of a collection and the status of processing, whether in progress, complete, etc., is
reported through an annual report.
This has worked best for us with relatively orderly collections, especially heterogeneous ones.
Total linear feet of donation divided by hours processing (in half hour increments) — rate of processing from start to
finish including (but not limited to the following: Identify donation size and material types, physical and intellectual
condition, level of description required, outline procedures, initiate processing, record daily processing hours and tasks,
evaluate upon completion of processing to determine work rate).
We compare our estimate of time required with the actual time elapsed for the processing.
When I arrived in October 2006 I began to keep metrics. November 2007: 8 (eight) lf was processed. (Four FTE
archivists all item-level drudgery). November 2008: 347 lf processed (MPLP, standards, consistency). Fiscal Year
2007/2008: 1/2 mile of material processed!! 1/2 mile! This year I expect to beat that.
Yes, in the sense that we have a general guideline for personal papers vs. Office records, etc.
