54 · Survey Results: Survey Questions And Responses
1st most important factor: 2nd most important factor: 3rd most important factor:
We have a policy that all manuscript
collections must be minimally processed
within 30 days.
Materials that will need conservation
work have to have either a minimally
processed or fully processed finding aid
associated with them.
We feel strongly that responding to
patron demand is the most effective
way to determine which series within
minimally processed collections should be
fully processed.
Without context, I wouldn’t distinguish between levels of importance, and it’s difficult to limit the most important factors to just
three. A choice not offered is the influence of donors, whose willingness to give may have been predicated on the expectation
of very timely processing of their material. Whether collections are restricted or closed or have government-classified security
information affects their scheduling. Anticipated high use is always a factor, but a flurry of interest in a collection is certainly a
trigger to process it. Size plays a role in that projects are mixed and matched according to space and staff considerations. An
unmentioned factor is staffing—staff have strengths and likes according to subject and size of project that influence the timing
and scope of their assignments. If a collection is at physical risk, it will of course get priority. Etc.
8. Has your unit/department/library discussed with researchers (either formally or informally) their
requirements for access to collections or which collections should be processed in the near future?
N=74
Yes 44 60%
No 30 40%
If yes, please briefly describe how these discussions affected manuscript and archival collections
processing priority decisions. N=39
Anticipated use is one of the highest factors in processing priority decisions.
Consultation usually carried out when large research project is proposed such as corporate history. Not all demands can
be met, but researcher is made aware of limitations on processing and access restrictions and to budget time and funds
accordingly.
Discussions are generally informal, and usually done with graduate students and/or faculty. We bring an unprocessed
collection to their attention, and if there’s interest, we will move it up the queue.
Discussions help to focus staff upon specific needs of researchers, e.g., one researcher identified a particular series of a
collection which we then processed sooner than originally planned.
Discussions with faculty help identify sources for immediate student use. E-mail reference requests may prompt
preparation of preliminary container lists for mediated access.
Discussions with faculty in support of academic programs.
Discussions with researchers and academics take place before we acquire material and affect the acquisitions decision-
making, not the processing. Processing is driven by the yearly appraisal deadline, after which the material is officially
“open” for research.
Discussions with researchers are one of the primary ways we learn about their interests and priorities.
1st most important factor: 2nd most important factor: 3rd most important factor:
We have a policy that all manuscript
collections must be minimally processed
within 30 days.
Materials that will need conservation
work have to have either a minimally
processed or fully processed finding aid
associated with them.
We feel strongly that responding to
patron demand is the most effective
way to determine which series within
minimally processed collections should be
fully processed.
Without context, I wouldn’t distinguish between levels of importance, and it’s difficult to limit the most important factors to just
three. A choice not offered is the influence of donors, whose willingness to give may have been predicated on the expectation
of very timely processing of their material. Whether collections are restricted or closed or have government-classified security
information affects their scheduling. Anticipated high use is always a factor, but a flurry of interest in a collection is certainly a
trigger to process it. Size plays a role in that projects are mixed and matched according to space and staff considerations. An
unmentioned factor is staffing—staff have strengths and likes according to subject and size of project that influence the timing
and scope of their assignments. If a collection is at physical risk, it will of course get priority. Etc.
8. Has your unit/department/library discussed with researchers (either formally or informally) their
requirements for access to collections or which collections should be processed in the near future?
N=74
Yes 44 60%
No 30 40%
If yes, please briefly describe how these discussions affected manuscript and archival collections
processing priority decisions. N=39
Anticipated use is one of the highest factors in processing priority decisions.
Consultation usually carried out when large research project is proposed such as corporate history. Not all demands can
be met, but researcher is made aware of limitations on processing and access restrictions and to budget time and funds
accordingly.
Discussions are generally informal, and usually done with graduate students and/or faculty. We bring an unprocessed
collection to their attention, and if there’s interest, we will move it up the queue.
Discussions help to focus staff upon specific needs of researchers, e.g., one researcher identified a particular series of a
collection which we then processed sooner than originally planned.
Discussions with faculty help identify sources for immediate student use. E-mail reference requests may prompt
preparation of preliminary container lists for mediated access.
Discussions with faculty in support of academic programs.
Discussions with researchers and academics take place before we acquire material and affect the acquisitions decision-
making, not the processing. Processing is driven by the yearly appraisal deadline, after which the material is officially
“open” for research.
Discussions with researchers are one of the primary ways we learn about their interests and priorities.
