Archival Processing

Arrangement is the process of organizing collection materials into an order that is useful for patrons, or that reflects their original order. 

In each collection there is an intellectual arrangement, and a physical arrangement. The physical arrangement can either follow the intellectual arrangement, or it can follow a different arrangement plan. The finding aid in ArchivesSpace joins the two arrangements. This permits users to view the materials in context, but also view the materials' container numbers to submit a request for them. 

Consider the two types of arrangement when creating a processing plan for your collection.

Processors can choose from the following levels of processing:

Minimal / Collection Level:

• Leave arrangement as is
• Rebox if unserviceable in current housing

Low / Series or Subseries Level:

• Arrange series and/or boxes into rough order
• Replace damaged boxes, house loose items, replace folders only if unserviceable

Moderate / File Level (expedited):

• Arrange folders in rough order (within series if appropriate), retain original order when possible, roughly sort loose items
• Replace boxes, retain existing folders and labels if in good shape

Intensive / Folder Level (traditional):

• Arrange folders in order (within series if appropriate), impose new organizational scheme, sort loose items into folders
• Replace boxes and folders, selectively perform preservation actions for fragile or valuable items

Highly Intensive / Item Level:

• Items are placed in order in boxes and folders (within series if appropriate)
• Replace boxes and folders, comprehensively address housing or preservation needs for fragile items, reformat audio-visual materials