Yale University Library News

The Baseline Effect: After the Backlog

Thursday, February 27, 2014 2:00 PM
Sterling Memorial Library (SML), International Room
120 High St., New Haven, CT 06511

Speakers: Ellen Doon (Head of the Manuscript Unit, Beinecke) and Lisa Conathan (Head of Processing, Beinecke)

The Baseline Project (2010-2014) is an innovative approach to archival processing that radically improves researcher access to Beinecke manuscript collections. Faced with the imperative to improve intellectual access and control, and to shelve collections at the Library Shelving Facility, the Manuscript Unit developed new standards and workflows to eliminate a backlog of over 13,000 linear feet of unprocessed manuscript collections. As part of this project, every collection receives a MARC record, a finding aid with at least a container-level listing (for collections over 4 containers), and a record of major preservation concerns. In this SCOPA forum, we describe the Baseline approach to manuscript processing and assess its impact on circulation, research use, and reference services.

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