How Do We Keep from Getting Further Behind? A Case Study in the Application of Minimal-Level Description in the OSU Archives

Abstract

In addition to addressing the backlog of unprocessed and undescribed collections, repositories must address the arrangement and description of new collections and incoming accessions in a timely manner. This presentation was made in a session at the Northwest Archivists conference focussing on the application of the principles of minimal-level arrangement and description (Greene and Meissner, 2005) to new collections and collections. This presentation describes a 15-month study conducted by the Oregon State University Archives to determine if collection-level finding aids could be prepared for all new collections within 6-12 months of acquisition.