Newly accessioned material to be shelved in Houghton, Pusey, or Lamont should be given to end processing to shelve; the notes below are offered for guidance in housing material and may change according to stacks requirements. The list of collection codes is helpful in considering sizes and formats of housing.
Material going to the Harvard Depository will need to be labeled and barcoded, and pick up must be arranged via the online HD form; as of this writing, the Accessioning Archivist handles these steps.
- Collections of one linear foot or more are generally housed in Paige boxes and sent to HD
- Small collections (between .04 and one linear foot) may remain onsite but should be sent to HD if feasible
- Collections of a small amount of paper may be housed in prefabs
- Oversize materials may be shelved horizontally in portfolio boxes (sturdy metal-edged pf boxes may be sent to HD)
- Oversize papers for HTC may be appropriate for flat files on P1; to be sent to end-processing first
- Oversize framed/glazed items are shelved vertically in the framed storage area if not deframed by end processing
- Glass, such as framed and glazed items or objects, may not be sent to HD
- Parchment items may not be sent to HD
- To avoid temperature fluctuation in transit, audiovisual materials should be kept on site if possible; consult with preservation staff for more detailed care planning.
HD Prep
- Consult with end-processing staff about the materials to be used in labeling.
- Create box labels using scripts located H:\HOUGHTON\Technical Services\MS Section\MS documentation\hou.labels.boxes (export EAD from ArchivesSpace prior and run BAT file), or use other template of your making.
- Place one barcode and one repository sticker on each label, making sure the correct repository labels and barcodes are used (HOU or THE).
- Create one item record for each box, scanning in the barcode.
- If you have a sheet of double barcodes (two each with the same barcode) and there will be a delay making item records and scanning, you may place the second barcode on a separate sheet with corresponding box numbers for later scanning.
- Place one label inside one label holder on the front of each box, being sure to cross out any existing writing on the box.
- Use the online HD form to arrange for pickup of the new boxes (or have someone who has access to the system do so).
- Place each Paige or Hollinger box(es) inside one grey plastic bin; cover with a rain catcher (soft side up); close the bin and fasten with a pink plastic tie.
- Stack the boxes no more than 5 high in the designated area for outgoing bins.