SPEC Kit 314: Processing Decisions for Manuscripts &Archives · 93
Additional comments. N=20
Each collection given to a processor gets a list of instructions. Some instructions are general and apply to all collections,
while others may be specific to that particular collection.
Has been two to three years since last review and surely needs updating but the core has been designed for
“durability.”
I believe we have a document, and I think it’s available online, but if so it’s wildly out of date. One of my tasks is to
create a new/updated one. Once updated, it will be available online. The library as a whole also has a cataloging wiki,
where we maintain information about cataloging manuscript collections this information of course also applies to
collection-level EAD records, since they’re very similar to MARC records.
In progress.
Only in terms of the stages of processing a gift-in-kind donation.
Processing practices are mostly communicated by oral instruction at the time of use.
Processors are trained in-house and expected to become familiar with procedures and practices as published in standard
professional literature and manuals.
See final comments, re: draft documents for processing procedures.
Separate manual for cataloging as well.
The above-mentioned workflow document is currently in process.
The University Archives has a processing manual to assist staff, particularly students who work on projects for their
archives class. The Curator of Manuscripts dictates processing procedures for the manuscript collection.
There are several manuals and workflow documents, depending on the format and the unit in which the materials are
located. These probably all need to be updated.
This applies only to are largest and continually growing collection — the Peabody Awards.
Varies from program to program.
We have a checklist that each processor (whether curator, paraprofessional, student, volunteer, or intern) must complete
indicating which steps they have completed.
Work flow is “professionalized” from accession registration through processing and EAD finding aids being mounted.
Workflow steps are part of the procedures manual.
Process Evaluation
15. Does your unit/department/library have procedures and/or tools to monitor and evaluate
manuscript and archives processing activities? N=72
Yes 38 53%
No 34 47%
Additional comments. N=20
Each collection given to a processor gets a list of instructions. Some instructions are general and apply to all collections,
while others may be specific to that particular collection.
Has been two to three years since last review and surely needs updating but the core has been designed for
“durability.”
I believe we have a document, and I think it’s available online, but if so it’s wildly out of date. One of my tasks is to
create a new/updated one. Once updated, it will be available online. The library as a whole also has a cataloging wiki,
where we maintain information about cataloging manuscript collections this information of course also applies to
collection-level EAD records, since they’re very similar to MARC records.
In progress.
Only in terms of the stages of processing a gift-in-kind donation.
Processing practices are mostly communicated by oral instruction at the time of use.
Processors are trained in-house and expected to become familiar with procedures and practices as published in standard
professional literature and manuals.
See final comments, re: draft documents for processing procedures.
Separate manual for cataloging as well.
The above-mentioned workflow document is currently in process.
The University Archives has a processing manual to assist staff, particularly students who work on projects for their
archives class. The Curator of Manuscripts dictates processing procedures for the manuscript collection.
There are several manuals and workflow documents, depending on the format and the unit in which the materials are
located. These probably all need to be updated.
This applies only to are largest and continually growing collection — the Peabody Awards.
Varies from program to program.
We have a checklist that each processor (whether curator, paraprofessional, student, volunteer, or intern) must complete
indicating which steps they have completed.
Work flow is “professionalized” from accession registration through processing and EAD finding aids being mounted.
Workflow steps are part of the procedures manual.
Process Evaluation
15. Does your unit/department/library have procedures and/or tools to monitor and evaluate
manuscript and archives processing activities? N=72
Yes 38 53%
No 34 47%