DESCRIPTION
One of the challenges inherent in archival processing is determining the level of description a set of archival records needs. Generally, at the Schlesinger, if we are processing something that is because we want a very good folder-level inventory and description of the contents, as well as a higher-level description of the scope of the papers or records. Researchers benefit when archivists can provide subject description at the folder level, especially in a run of chronological or even alphabetical correspondence.
Examples of correspondence well-described at the folder level (identified by Research Services staff):
Ames family historical collection (Series III and IV are well-described, many others have no description yet)
CREATING FOLDER TITLES
See also Stylesheet for specific instances.
Creating Folder Titles
If the majority of folders have titles supplied by the donor, retain those titles (and say so in the scope and content note). Add your own additions to donor titles, or pertinent information, in brackets
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You WILL want to point out notable content in folders. If a folder has been titled "Correspondence 1902" by the donor, and you find it contains love letters, say so in the folder title. If a folder is primarily about a trip to California, and also contains commentary on the suffrage battle there, say so. (see above re: description)
If a diary is entirely about a person's health and the weather, but one day also details the death of President Kennedy, you can note the entry about JFK at the folder level, and more generally describe the quotidian nature of the diary in the Scope and Content.
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