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The Legacy Challenge: Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections

The Legacy Challenge: Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections. Gerald Chaudron Processing Archivist Manuscripts Division, Special Collections Department, Mississippi State University Libraries April 27, 2012. The Legacy Challenge: Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections.

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The Legacy Challenge: Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections

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  1. The Legacy Challenge:Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections Gerald Chaudron Processing Archivist Manuscripts Division, Special Collections Department, Mississippi State University Libraries April 27, 2012

  2. The Legacy Challenge:Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections

  3. The Legacy Challenge:Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections

  4. Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections Allen Eugene Cox papers Delta Cooperative Farm, Hillhouse, Mississippi, 1937 • 60 cubic feet • 7 accretions, 1967-1996 • Large number of clippings, publications • Well used

  5. Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections Allen Eugene Cox papers • Arrangement and description of first 6 accretions retained • Problems: • Final addition disorganized and description inconsistent • Old folders replaced • Clippings copied

  6. Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections Allen Eugene Cox papers • Reprocessing user-driven to enhance access; also to save space • Listed publications in all series • Last series - rearranged - removed folders returned to original series - clippings sorted - financial records sampled

  7. Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections Allen Eugene Cox papers • Reprocessing results • Saved 12 cubic feet of space • Finding aid has useable inventory and publications are no longer hidden • Preservation addressed • EAD finding aid online

  8. Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections D. Clayton James papers • 24 cubic feet • 5 accretions, 1971-1980 • Substantial number of folders removed, 1986, 1988 • Accretion (including most removed folders), 2005 • Last accretion, 2007

  9. Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections D. Clayton James papers • Only small collection remaining with limited finding aid • Pre-1986 finding aid mainly lists of materials • Processing large accretions necessitated reprocessing much smaller existing collection

  10. Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections D. Clayton James papers • Reprocessing results • Brought the whole collection up to the same standard of arrangement and description • Created logical series • Included useful list of research materials on 35mm film • Enabled easy conversion to EAD

  11. Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections Conclusion • Reprocessing: the dilemma - justify the decision - select method • Reprocessing must enhance access • Reprocessing is often user driven • Keep good records of reprocessing decisions

  12. Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections Sources: Cox, Robert S. Maximal Processing, or, Archivist on a Pale Horse, Journal of Archival Organization, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2010, pp.134-148.  Greene, Mark. A. & Dennis Meissner. More Product, Less Process: Revamping Traditional Archival Processing, American Archivist, Vol. 68, No. 2, 2005, pp. 208-263. Morris, Sammie L. & Pam Hackbert-Dean. Case Studies in Managing Collections that Grow, Libraries Research Publications, Paper 15. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=lib_research (Accessed 3/11/2012)

  13. Reprocessing Large Manuscript Collections Gerald Chaudron PhD, CAAssistant Professor, ManuscriptsSpecial Collections DepartmentMississippi State University LibrariesP.O. Box 5408Mississippi State, MS 39762662-325-3071gchaudron@library.msstate.edu

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