Perspectives and Practices: Archival Processing Metrics Survey Findings

Authors

Cyndi Shein, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Sarah R. Jones, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Tammi Kim, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Karla Irwin, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2020

Publication Title

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

Volume

7

Issue

1

First page number:

1

Last page number:

23

Abstract

Professional literature and case studies demonstrate that processing metrics are valuable in advocating for resources, informing priorities, supporting grant proposals, and predicting costs for collection storage and care. This article analyzes responses to an archival processing metrics survey that gathered perspectives and practices from archivists working in a variety of repository types. The findings describe how archivists collect processing metrics in different ways, what data points they view as essential, and how they use certain data points to serve specific purposes. The findings indicate that although most respondents acknowledge the value of processing metrics, the majority of them still do not employ metrics in daily operations. The findings note barriers to processing assessment and highlight disparities in resources, personnel, and practices across the profession. The findings reveal a lack of clarity about best practices for archival processing assessment and a need for profession-wide guidelines. The article suggests resources for those wishing to implement processing metrics.

Keywords

Archival processing metrics survey; Repository types; Archivist collecting; Processing assessment

Disciplines

Archival Science | Library and Information Science | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Language

English

Repository Citation

Shein, C., Jones, S. R., Kim, T., Irwin, K. (2020). Perspectives and Practices: Archival Processing Metrics Survey Findings. Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies, 7(1), 1-23.