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On-line Processing Manuals



Back in 1997 Peter Hirtle queried the listserv for examples of documents dealing with the internal administration of archives that had been published on the Web. He was looking for examples of processing manuals, accessioning procedure manuals, record schedules, and any other guide intended to assist in the internal management of the repository. Finding very little evidence of web published materials he concluded "In the rush to make archival information available to the public, we seem to have forgotten one important component - our fellow archivists.  I hope that as archivists expand their web sites, they think to include their internal documentation - and that they announce its availability on the ARCHIVES list!"

Three years later I am wondering if the situation has improved. I am currently looking for sample processing manuals (if anyone has one they are willing to send along to me I would appreciate it). Like Peter, I  too experienced the difficulty of finding this information using standard Internet search
tools. The few sites Peter listed no longer seem to have their processing manuals mounted. I was able to find a published processing manual from the Beinecke Library are Yale University http://www.library.yale.edu/beinecke/manuscript/process/ .  The Archivist's toolkit is also useful at http://aabc.bc.ca/aabc/toolkit.html. 

My seemingness fruitless search raises series of questions:

Does anyone else know of other web-based sample manuals, forms, or other administrative aids? 

Is there a single location that is collecting this information? 

If not, should we have such a site? and If so who would be the host? SAA, a regional organization, a library school, a student chapter, a generous repository? 

Do people have manuals or forms that they would be willing to submit for web-based publishing? 

People can contact me directly or reply to the Listserv. 






Prudence K. Backman
Archives and Records Management Specialist 3
Documentary Heritage Services
New York State Archives
9C71 Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230 
518-474-6926
FAX: 518-402-5372
pbackman@mail.nysed.gov

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