Processing Collections: Setting Priorities and Developing Plans

This course will cover a broad overview of archival collection processing, setting up the basics for why and how we process materials using archival principles and guidelines. Processing provides clear intellectual and physical control for collections management, preservation, and access, developing description and context for archival records as well as improved housing conditions. All components of collections processing will be discussed, with a focus on helping participants determine processing priorities and draft a processing plan for one small-to-medium-sized collection that they are working with from their own organizations. There will also be a chance to share processing challenges and successes and to hear from practitioners in the field discussing their own processing case studies.

Course Structure

Content for this course is divided into three sections and will be provided for asynchronous review. Discussion board prompts will be provided throughout to promote active participation and encourage sharing of questions and insights. One assignment will be based on drafting a processing plan for a singular collection. A live panel discussion in the second week will allow participants to hear from those actively processing collections in the field, and to hear about their successes and challenges.

Participants are expected to be active in course discussion boards, complete relevant assignments, and attend a live Q&A session on Tuesday, July 23rd.

Instructors

• Kate Philipson, DHPSNY Archives Specialist
• Amanda Murray, DHPSNY Program Manager