PROCESSING WORKFLOW January 2013
Complete BEGINNING CHECKLIST for PROCESSING to ensure you have recovered all the pieces of your collection
Physically survey the collection - do not move material until after you have met with team leader
Write processing plan [see Processing proposal for what kinds of information to include]
Series arrangement with basic descriptions of kinds of materials, topics
First draft of bio
Special concerns that need to be addressed or resolved: restrictions, supplies, time, size, student tasks, etc.
Note actual beginning extent, incl. # of cartons filed letter, etc. in spreadsheet
Send processing plan to your team leader; schedule a time to meet with him or her to discuss processing plan
Revise processing plan if necessary and begin work as agreed with team leader
Begin any correspondence with donor that may be necessary (if COG is needed, should be changed, etc.)
Process: arrange, refolder, describe
Request student help for photocopying, etc.
Consult with team leader on any issues etc.
Appraisal meeting with Joanne, etc. re: A/V, photos
Give first draft of finding aid and copy of blue card to team leader
Revise FA as necessary
Prepare collection for end-processing [see END PROCESSING by ASSISTANT CHECKLIST]
Give FA (without numbers) to Anne to read for subject headings; incorporate suggestions
When FA comes back from end-processing work, double-check cross-references, etc.; give final FA to team leader for final edit
Send FA front-matter to donor if necessary.
Deposit XML document into G:..\\MANUSCRIPTS\FINDING AIDS; email Paula that finding aid is complete and ready for tagging check [do this when it is actually ready to be posted]
Update bib record with new info, including, give to team leader for edit (with copy of original printed from Aleph)
Complete END CHECKLIST for processing
Take a few minutes before you begin work on a new collection to review the general Processing Workflow document.
The Beginning Processing Checklist should help you with all the steps while you are gathering material, checking documentation, and other preliminary work.
When you are finished working with the collection and ready to prepare it for end-processing, please consult and complete all steps in the Post Processing Checklist by Archivists.
A variety of Filemaker Pro databases are used to hold metadata and location information about different materials.
- SL Tracker: physical location of collection materials
- Born Digital Tracker: individual item and collection data on electronic material
- Media Projects Tracker: individual item and collection data on audio and video materia
- Memorabilia Tracker: individual item and collection data and location information for memorabilia (3-dimensional objects)
- Deed of Gift Tracker: scanned copies of most collection certificates of gifts, donor questionnaires, and some correspondence files