52 · Survey Results: Survey Questions And Responses
1st most important factor: 2nd most important factor: 3rd most important factor:
Patron need is clearly first, and requires
response on our part.
If we feel there will be use of the material,
we get it processed earlier.
Lastly, if we have money dedicated to a
specific project, then we do that project.
Preservation risks — because of the
fragility of moving image and audio
collections.
Availability of Grant Funding — if there
is money we can push through work on a
collection.
Response to Patron Demand — we try to
accommodate our researchers.
Preservation—in order to lengthen
life-span of collection and protect other
collections from migrating damage.
Consortial/collaborative activities
with groups/persons internally and
externally—to improve access.
Institutional priorities—high profile
collections that bring recognition,
patrons, scholarship.
Processing policy—All new collections
receive at least minimal processing within
one month of legal ownership.
Anticipated high use Collection going to offsite storage—
We’re desperate for shelf space so we’re
trying to move low use collections out
asap.
Prompt responses to patrons requests for
using materials if possible depending on
the size of the collection, recognition of
value of collection based on patron use.
Size of the collection may determine
whether it can be processed quickly and
easily be made available.
Recognized value of outreach efforts
and illustration of collaboration between
departments.
Response to patron demand by faculty for
research or class use will usually push up
processing priorities.
Demands by high level university
administration, although rare can trump
all others.
Anticipated high use pushes up the
priority as a customer service issue.
Response to demand Anticipated (or proven) high use. Institutional priorities
Response to patron -if demand is high, it
weights the decision to process.
Anticipated high use -high profile
collections
Size of collection -due to limited staffing
size is factored into processing decisions.
Response to patron demand Anticipated high use Availability of grant funding
Response to patron demand -process
asap at least to minimal level, to make
available to researchers.
Time commitment -level and type of
available staffing influences which and
extent to which collections are processed.
Preservation risks -depends on format,
especially looking for items, like floppy
disks, where information is most likely to
be lost or nitrate negatives where could
pose fire hazard.
Response to patron demand can change
individual priorities with little or no
warning.
Anticipated high use reflects attempts to
be proactive in determining priorities.
Institutional priorities relate to 1 and 2,
as support to research and scholarship
are key.
Response to patron demand indicates
current research interests and
demonstrates that there is a ready user
for the materials.
Anticipated high use indicates that
although people are not yet aware of the
collection, once they are it is likely to be
of great research value.
Institutional priorities such as curricular
strengths or changes can indicate where
we are likely to see research interest.
Response to patron demand. Enhances
both the use and security of the collection
if fully processed before use. Facilitates
the public services staff’s abilities to
provide the materials to best meet the
user’s needs.
Preservation risks. Materials that are at
risk or pose a risk to other collections
must be dealt with appropriately and
promptly.
Anticipated high-use. Enhances both
the use and security of the collection if
fully processed before use. Facilitates the
public services staff’s abilities to provide
the materials to best meet the user’s
needs.