Processing times may vary based on the condition of materials being processed. This guide to processing rates by level is subject to revision.

Processing LevelsHours/Cubic Foot
Level 1. Minimum0. 5–2*
Level 2. Baseline2–8†
Level 3. Moderate6–15‡
Level 4. Intensive25–20+‡

* Minimum time for processing based on time trials survey time.

† Based on time trials and in conjunction with a survey of processing manuals.

‡ Numbers based on a survey of processing manuals

Processing Manuals Surveyed

Aikens, Barbara. “Processing Guidelines: Chapter 2, Processing Levels at the Archives of American Art.” Archives of American Art, August 27, 2015.

Arizona State University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections. “Manuscript and Archival Records Processing Manual,” March 2015.

Beinecke Manuscript Processing Manual. “2.5.2 Rates of Processing,” February 10, 2021.

deGraffenreid, Alexandra, and Caitlin Rizzo. “Collection Services Manual: Archival Arrangement and Description.” Pennsylvania State University Libraries. Special Collections Library, June 29, 2020.

Dundon, Kate, Laurel McPhee, Elvia Arroyo-Ramirez, Jolene Beiser, Courtney Dean, Audra Eagle Yun, Jasmine Jones, et al. “Guidelines for Efficient Archival Processing in the University of California Libraries (Version 4),” May 1, 2020.

Harvard University Houghton Library. “Houghton Library Manuscript Section Processing Manual,” May 23, 2017.

New York University Libraries. “ACM Accessioning, Arrangement, and Description Manual,” January 2019.

Rose Library Collections Services. “Levels of Arrangement and Description.” In Rose Library Collections Services Processing Manual. Accessed February 25, 2022.

 

  • No labels

MIT. Libraries. Distinctive Collections.
Archives Processing Manual.