collections, other accessions are additions to existing collections. The accession level of control allows us to manage materials while they are unprocessed. After an accession is processed, we no longer manage the materials with the accession number. Working with multiple accessions When processing, it is often preferable to merge all accessions that contain materials related in scope or time period, in order to present the user with a well-organized, coherent physical and intellectual ordering of the creator’s materials. However, it is sometimes not feasible to merge all accessions or fully integrate additions to already processed collections (particularly for large University Archives collections), for collections for which we expect regular accruals, or for accessions that do not overlap in scope or time period. When working with multiple accruals or accessions, it is important to weigh the time it would take to present the user with a coherent, well organized collection with the research value of the collection. There are many possibilities for providing access. You can integrate accessions intellectually, rather than physically. You can also use series or another organizational scheme to reflect the distinct accruals of materials in a collection. The following are guidelines for two common scenarios: Processing a collection with multiple accessions for the first time When all materials are unprocessed, processing is based on the premise of “a single value score for a single collection.” This value score will be referenced in the processing plan and the processing metrics worksheet. When processing a collection comprised of multiple accessions with previously assigned value scores, assign the highest score as the collection value score. This will accommodate all levels of effort/control associated with the accessions and allow each to be applied as needed during processing. If the accessions were not assigned value scores, follow the instructions in Section 13.3 of the Accessioning Manual for assigning retroactive value scores. The chart below provides suggestions for how the multiple accessions may be treated based on the levels of effort/control associated with the collection value score: Level of Effort Arrangement Description Minimal Keep accessions distinct. For a collection-level record, briefly describe contents of each accession to help users select which accession is most appropriate.
collections, other accessions are additions to existing collections. The accession level of control allows us to manage materials while they are unprocessed. After an accession is processed, we no longer manage the materials with the accession number. Working with multiple accessions When processing, it is often preferable to merge all accessions that contain materials related in scope or time period, in order to present the user with a well-organized, coherent physical and intellectual ordering of the creator’s materials. However, it is sometimes not feasible to merge all accessions or fully integrate additions to already processed collections (particularly for large University Archives collections), for collections for which we expect regular accruals, or for accessions that do not overlap in scope or time period. When working with multiple accruals or accessions, it is important to weigh the time it would take to present the user with a coherent, well organized collection with the research value of the collection. There are many possibilities for providing access. You can integrate accessions intellectually, rather than physically. You can also use series or another organizational scheme to reflect the distinct accruals of materials in a collection. The following are guidelines for two common scenarios: Processing a collection with multiple accessions for the first time When all materials are unprocessed, processing is based on the premise of “a single value score for a single collection.” This value score will be referenced in the processing plan and the processing metrics worksheet. When processing a collection comprised of multiple accessions with previously assigned value scores, assign the highest score as the collection value score. This will accommodate all levels of effort/control associated with the accessions and allow each to be applied as needed during processing. If the accessions were not assigned value scores, follow the instructions in Section 13.3 of the Accessioning Manual for assigning retroactive value scores. The chart below provides suggestions for how the multiple accessions may be treated based on the levels of effort/control associated with the collection value score: Level of Effort Arrangement Description Minimal Keep accessions distinct. For a collection-level record, briefly describe contents of each accession to help users select which accession is most appropriate.
Processing_Manual.docx